The pharmacokinetics of sulpiride and its effect on sexual behaviours and LH concentrations in anestrous does (Capra hircus)

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of sulpiride and its effect on sexual behaviours and LH concentrations in anestrous does (Capra hircus). This study was carried out in two stages: pharmacokinetics (stage I) and effect on LH pulsatility, concentration, and estrus display (stage II). In the stage I, sulpiride was administered via intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC) and oral routes to does at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg. In the stage II, sulpiride was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg every 12 hours for 10 days. Plasma concentrations of sulpiride were measured using HPLC and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis. LH concentrations were quantified using ELISA. The terminal elimination half-life, apparent volume of distribution, and total body clearance of sulpiride following IV administration were 1.76 h, 0.38 L/kg, and 0.15 L/h/kg, respectively. The peak plasma concentration of IM and SC administration was 1.39 and 0.83 mu g/mL at 0.53 and 0.78 h, respectively. The bioavailability of sulpiride was 103.30 % for the IM route and 72.21 % for the SC route. Sulpiride showed erratic and low absorption after oral administration. While LH concentrations decreased significantly after sulpiride administration, the LH plus frequency increased significantly. In conclusion, sulpiride with distinctive effect on LH pulse frequency has the potential to be used in protocols for hastening cyclicity. However, more studies are needed on the use of sulpiride in estrus induction protocols.