ABSTRACT
This study examined the effects of feeding monensin, lasalocid or salinomycin (at 1x and 2x therapeutic levels for 20 d) on the duration of xylazine+ketamine sleep time and the hepatic cytochrome P-450 content in broiler chickens of different age groups (3- and 6-w-old). The 3-w-old birds fed 120 ppm salinomycin had a reduced xylazine+ketamine sleep time as compared to control (no drug). The 6-w birds had a sleep time similar to the controls. Associated with ionophore feeding was a trend toward P-450 induction when compared to controls. Increased P-450 content was statistically significant in the 3-w birds fed 90 ppm lasalocid and in the 6-w birds fed 200 ppm monensin. Ionophore administration above recommended levels gave conflicting results for duration of xylazine+ketamine sleep time and hepatic cytochrome P-450 levels. The isozymes of cytochrome P-450 responsible for xylazine and ketamine metabolism may be different from those induced by the ionophores. There was no significant age-related difference in ionophore effects on cytochrome P-450 content.
