The effects of fasting and general anesthesia on serum chemistries in KCG miniature pigs

Investigators are obligated to optimize the perioperative care of experimental animals, but little is known about the effects of anesthesia and surgery on serum chemistries in KCG pigs. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of fasting and surgery under general anesthesia on 27 serum chemistries in KCG miniature pigs to improve management. Crossbred KCG minipigs were used at a mean of 12.3 mo of age (range, 8.6 to 14.9) and 33.4 kg of body weight (range, 24.0 to 40.2). Serum chemistries were evaluated at the start and end of a 24 h fasting period in fasted animals (n = 6). No significant differences were observed between the starting and postfasting studies. Partial hemilaminectomy of the lumbar spine was carried out in 2 groups of animals. Those given sevoflurane anesthesia (n = 7) had significant decreases in serum albumin, potassium, inorganic phosphorus, gamma-glutamyltransferase peptidase, cholinesterase, and glucose postoperatively compared with preoperative values. Animals given isoflurane (n = 7) anesthesia had significantly decreased total protein, albumin, triglyceride, phospholipids, sodium, potassium, calcium, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phoshatase and glucose after surgery compared with levels before surgery. In a separate experiment (n = 7), serum glucose and insulin also decreased during the postoperative period after isoflurane anesthesia. These results demonstrate that select serum electrolytes, glucose, and insulin of KCG miniature pigs are altered after general anesthesia. Investigators must be aware of the effects of anesthetic agents on experimental animals to provide optimal care and for interpretation of experimental data.