Pharmacokinetics and analgesic efficacy of fentanyl and buprenorphine in chicken embryos.

ABSTRACT: Chicken embryos are able to process and receive noxious stimuli from embryonic day (ED) 13. In the context of animal welfare, analgesic refinement is highly recommended for painful procedures from this time onwards. In this first study, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the opioid analgesics fentanyl (0.2 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (0.5 mg/kg) were studied in ED17 chicken embryos. Analgesic plasma concentrations were determined at different time points after administration via LC-MS/MS. In a validated model of mechanical nociception in chicken embryos, analgesic efficacy and potential side effects were determined based on mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, beak, and body movements. Maximum mean plasma levels of 37.55 ng/ml (fentanyl) and 144.17 ng/ml (buprenorphine)

SUBMITTER: Truhlar L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12782372 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature