The influence of electrostimulation on hexobarbital induced loss of righting reflex in rats

Electrostimulation (ES) of slow (SF, 10 Hz) or fast (FF, 500 Hz) frequency decreases the sleeping time of rats anaesthetized by administration of acute doses of hexobarbital. When ES is applied via the ears, both SF and FF are equally efficient in reducing the loss of righting reflex (LRR), whereas if ES is applied peripherally via the paws, only FF decreases the acute narcosis time. Applied cranially, either continuous stimulation or administration of intermittent current (5 minutes on and off) were equally effective in reducing narcosis. A decreased period of 30 minutes' continuous stimulation will reduce sleeping time only if administered immediately after LRR. When restrained animals received ES for periods of up to 3 hours prior to administration of the barbiturate, the sleeping time of the stimulated and sham treated animals were not significantly different.