HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Baile, C. A. Articles by McLaughlin, C. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Baile, C. A. Articles by McLaughlin, C. L.

A Review of the Behavioral and Physiological Responses to Elfazepam, a Chemical Feed Intake Stimulant¹

Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square 19348

Abstract

Elfazepam, a benzodiazepine, is a potent feed intake stimulant when administered intravenously or orally in horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, pigs, cats and rats. The central nervous system site and mechanism of action have not been established. Administration of elfazepam can induce animals to eat large meals. Elfazepam will override the inhibitors of feeding caused by amphetamine, heat stress, diet bulk, protein deficiency and an additive with aversive flavor characteristics. While rumen fermentation per se is not influenced by elfazepam, ruminal and abomasal motility and secretory functions are reduced. Digestibility of some diets may be improved by the chemical. Elfazepam added to the feed of cattle (.5 to 2.0 ppm) and of sheep (4 ppm) improved feed efficiency, under a variety of conditions, but the response was variable. It has improved performance of young animals during the transition from milk to solid feedstuffs and has been used successfully in the treatment of anorexias associated with disease states in a variety of species. Applications for a chemical feed intake stimulant are discussed and elfazepam is shown to have many of the desired characteristics for such an agent.

¹ Research from the authors' laboratory was supported in part by grants-in-aid from the Cooperative State Research Service of the USDA (616-15-514), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (DAO1416-01), the Fund for the Study of Feeding Behavior, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Pennsylvania and by Smith Kline Animal Health Products.