Correlation between behaviour during labour and blood plasma concentrations of vasopressin in goats

Abstract

Buprenorphine was given intravenously to goats to study if it dampens pain and the increase in plasma vasopressin concentration during labour. Seven goats were given buprenorphine (0.005 mg/kg) and 6 goats were given saline. The expressions of pain were evaluated on a Visual Analogue Scale from 0-10 (mild to severe pain) and the vasopressin concentration was measured with a radioimmunoassay. The pain expressions did not differ between the goats that received the drug and the controls. However, the expressions of pain were correlated to the vasopressin concentration, giving support to the idea that the vasopressin concentration is affected by pain.