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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)
Published on: December 1, 2010
Tegaserod (HTF 919) stimulates gut motility in normal horses
B S Lippold1, J Hildebrand, R Straub
1Equine Clinic, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Berne, Laenggassstrasse 124, 3012 Berne, Switzerland.
Reasons For Performing Study:
It has been shown that the selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist tegaserod induces an increase in frequency and amplitude of contractions in isolated muscle preparations of equine ileum and pelvic flexure.
Objectives:
To investigate the effects of tegaserod on gut motility and transit of spheres in normal horses.
Methods:
Six mature Freiberger horses were kept under standardised conditions. Effects of tegaserod (0.02 mg/kg bwt i.v. b.i.d. for 2 days) or vehicle on intestinal transit of barium-filled spheres, defaecation and gut sounds were studied in a cross-over design. Spheres were given via stomach tube prior to the first dosing of tegaserod or vehicle. Faeces were collected every 3 h and spheres eliminated were identified radiologically in the faeces.
Results:
Tegaserod significantly accelerated the gastrointestinal (GI) transit time of spheres and increased the frequency of defaecation and scores of gut sounds compared to vehicle. The compound was well tolerated; no effects on behaviour, body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and clinical laboratory data were observed.
Conclusions:
Tegaserod efficaciously stimulated motility and accelerate GI transit in healthy horses.
Potential Relevance:
Tegaserod may offer therapeutic potential in horses suffering from impaction or paralytic ileus.
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