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Large White Pigs (large + white_pig)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	80%
Life Sciences	20%

Selected Abstracts

A new HpaII PCR-RFLP within the porcine prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene and study of its effect on litter size and number of teats

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2002
L. PUTNOVÁ
DNA polymorphism of the porcine prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) was investigated and used to study its effect on litter size and number of teats in pigs. By means of PRLR gene sequence homology in pig, human and other species, primers were designed for PCR amplification within 5, unknown (to date) part of the prolactin receptor gene in pigs. In this part of the gene, a new polymorphism with HpaII restriction endonuclease was detected. AluI polymorphism described before and our new HpaII polymorphism were used to study the associations with reproduction traits. The PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to genotype AluI and HpaII loci of the PRLR gene in line A with 83 sows of Landrace breed and in two lines (B and C) with 75 and 86 Large White sows, respectively. Statistical analysis of 1020 litters showed that AluI locus was associated with litter size mainly in Landrace and affected the first parities, while HpaII locus of the gene was associated with the same traits in Landrace and Large White pigs and mainly affected numbers of weaned of pigs. The magnitude of the effect varied by population with the effects exceeding two pigs per litter in Landrace line and 1 pig per litter in Large White populations. Ein neuer HpaII PCR-RFLP innerhalb des porcinen Prolaktionrezeptorgens (PRLR), und Zusammenhänge zur Wurfgröße und Zitzenzahl DNA-Polymorphismen im porcinen Prolaktionrezeptorgen (PRLR) wurden untersucht und für die Analyse von Einflüssen auf Wurfgröße und Zitzenzahl bei Schweinen verwendet. Auf der Basis der PRLR -Gensequenzhomologie zwischen Schwein, Mensch und anderen Spezies wurden Primer für die PCR-Amplifikation aus dem 5, Bereich des Prolaktionrezeptorgens abgeleitet, der bisher beim Schwein noch unbekannt ist. In diesem Teil des Gens wurde mittels HpaII-Restriktionsendonuklease ein neuer Polymorphismus dargestellt. AluI Polymorphismus und der neue HpaII Polymorphismus wurden für Assoziationsstudien in Bezug auf Reproduktionsmerkmale verwendet. Mittels PCR-RFLP wurden in Linie A 83 Sauen der Landrasse und die Linien B und C mit 75 bzw. 86 Large White Sauen unter Verwendung von AluI und HpaII am PRLR -Gen genotypisiert. Die statistische Analyse von 1.020 Würfen zeigte, dass der AluI-Polymorphismus insbesondere in der Landrasse mit der Wurfgröße assoziiert ist, sowie die ersten Trächtigkeiten beeinflusst, während der HpaII Polymorphismus die gleichen Merkmale in der Landrasse und Large White Schweinen und insbesondere die Zahl an abgesetzten Ferkeln beeinflusste. Die Auswirkungen des Effekts variierten innerhalb Population, wobei der Effekt 2 Ferkel je Wurf in der Landrasse-Linie und 1 Ferkel je Wurf in der Large White Populationen überstieg. [source]

Genetic parameters for individual birth and weaning weight and for litter size of Large White pigs

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 3 2000
D. Kaufmann
Summary Data from a French experimental herd recorded between 1990 and 1997 were used to estimate genetic parameters for individual birth and weaning weight, as well as litter size of Large White pigs using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methodology applied to a multivariate animal model. In addition to fixed effects the model included random common environment of litter, direct and maternal additive genetic effects. The data consisted of 1928 litters including individual weight observations from 18151 animals for birth weight and from 15360 animals for weaning weight with 5% of animals transferred to a nurse. Estimates of direct and maternal heritability and proportion of the common environmental variance for birth weight were 0.02, 0.21 and 0.11, respectively. The corresponding values for weaning weight were 0.08, 0.16 and 0.23 and for litter size 0.22, 0.02 and 0.06, respectively. The direct and the maternal genetic correlations between birth and weaning weight were positive (0.59 and 0.76). Weak positive (negative) genetic correlations between direct effects on weight traits and maternal effects on birth weight (weaning weight) were found. Negative correlations were found between direct genetic effect for litter size and maternal genetic effects on all three traits. The negative relationship between litter size and individual weight requires a combined selection for litter size and weight. Zusammenfassung Daten einer französischen Versuchsherde aus den Jahren 1990 bis 1997 wurden für die Schätzung von genetischen Parametern für individuelles Geburts-, Absetzgewicht und Wurfgrösse bei französischen Large White verwendet. Die Schätzung der Parameter erfolgte mit der Restricted Maximum Likelihood Methode (REML) angewandt auf ein multivariates Tiermodell. Neben fixen Effekten berücksichtigte das Modell die zufällige gemeinsame Wurfumwelt und direkte und maternale additiv genetische Effekte. Der Datensatz bestand aus 1928 Wurfaufzeichnungen mit Angaben zum individuellen Geburtsgewicht von 18151 Tieren und zum Absetzgewicht von 15360 Tieren. Nach der Geburt wurden 5% der Ferkel in einen anderen Wurf versetzt. Die geschätzten Werte für die direkte, die maternale Heritabilität und den Varianzanteil der Wurfumwelt waren für das Geburtsgewicht 0.02, 0.21 und 0.11. Die entsprechenden Werte für das Absetzgewicht waren 0.08, 0.16 und 0.23 und für die Wurfgrösse 0.22, 0.02 und 0.06. Die direkten und die maternalen genetischen Korrelationen zwischen Geburts-und Absetzgewicht waren positiv (0.59 und 0.76). Schwache positive (negative) genetische Korrelationen wurden zwischen den direkten genetischen Effekten auf die Gewichtsmerkmale und dem maternalen genetischen Effekt auf das Geburtsgewicht (Absetzgewicht) gefunden. Negative Korrelationen gab es zwischen dem direkten genetischen Effekt auf die Wurfgrösse und den maternalen genetischen Effekten auf alle drei Merkmale. Die negative Beziehung zwischen Wurfgrösse und individuellem Gewicht verlangt nach einer kombinierten Selektion für Wurfgrösse und Gewicht. [source]

Biodegradable External Stents Inhibit Saphenous Vein Graft Thickening in the Pig

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2002
P Gadsdon
Aim: External, non-restrictive, macro-porous stents prevent neointima formation in porcine vein grafts and have been proposed as a therapeutic approach to the prevention of late vein graft failure. Since these stents are non-biodegradable and therefore may elicit deleterious long-term, inflammatory, infective and mechanical complications the effect of external macro-porous biodegradable (polyglactin) stents on neointimal and medial thickening in porcine vein grafts was investigated. Methods: Bilateral vein saphenous vein-carotid artery interposition grafting was performed in Large White pigs (22,36 kg, n = 6) with external placement of 8 mm diameter polyglactin stents on one side, the contralateral side acting as a control. One month after surgery, graft wall dimensions were measured on histological sections using computer-aided planimetry and immunocytochemistry undertaken for selected parameters. Results: Polyglactin stents significantly reduced medial thickening compared to the All grafts were patent at explantation. Intimal thickness was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the stented grafts (0.11 ± 0.01 mm) compared to the unstented controls (0.18 ± 0.01 mm). Similarly, medial thickness was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the stented grafts (0.24 ± 0.03 mm) compared to the unstented controls (0.43 ± 0.04 mm) mm. Grafts externally supported with polyglactin had a pronounced increase in inflammatory cells (in particular, giant cells) around the biodegradable stent compared to both unstented controls and previously studied Dacron stented grafts. The space between graft and stent had become organised into a neo-adventitia with abundant microvessels which stained positively for VEGF and lectin (markers of micorvessels and endothelial cells). Conclusions: An over-size biodegradable stent reduces medial thickening, a component of late vein graft failure in experimental grafts. If subsequent studies confirm the preservation of this beneficial effect when the stent biodegrades completely, this form of stent may have an advantage over permanent stent material in the clinical use of external stenting to prevent vein graft thickening and failure. [source]

Continuous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Effects on the Gut-Brain Axis in Swine

NEUROMODULATION, Issue 1 2007
Idoia Díaz-Güemes DVM
ABSTRACT Objectives., This study was designed to assess vagus nerve stimulation effects on the food intake pattern in swine and determine the electrical stimulus direction. Material and Methods., Fifteen Large White pigs were randomly divided into three groups, groups A,C. All animals underwent implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator at the gastro-esophogeal junction. In group A, the stimulation was switched off, whereas stimulation was switched on in groups B and C. Food intake and body weight were registered in groups A and B, but not in group C, which was used to measure direction of stimulation in the vagus and effect on heart rate and blood pressure. Variables measured in group C included the bispectral index, blood pressure, and heart rate. A Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used to detect differences between groups. All animals were sacrificed to identify effects of implantation and stimulation on the vagus nerve. Results., With respect to food intake, there was no difference between groups A and B; however, body weight did register a continuous increase. During stimulation, in group C arterial pressures decreased significantly, whereas the heart rate and bispectral index increased. Conclusion., The stimulation protocol applied in this study was insufficient to cause changes in the feeding behavior of swine; however, it did increase central nervous system activity. [source]

Anti-thrombin Therapy During Warm Ischemia and Cold Preservation Prevents Chronic Kidney Graft Fibrosis in a DCD Model

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2010
F. Favreau
Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is pivotal for renal fibrosis development via peritubular capillaries injury. Coagulation represents a key mechanism involved in this process. Melagatran® (M), a thrombin inhibitor, was evaluated in an autotransplanted kidney model, using Large White pigs. To mimic deceased after cardiac death donor conditions, kidneys underwent warm ischemia (WI) for 60 min before cold preservation for 24 h in University of Wisconsin solution. Treatment with M before WI and/or in the preservation solution drastically improved survival at 3 months, reduced renal dysfunction related to a critical reduction in interstitial fibrosis, measured by Sirius Red staining. Tissue analysis revealed reduced expression of transforming growth factor-, (TGF-,) and activation level of its effectors phospho-Smad3, Smad4 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) after M treatment. Fibrinolysis activation was also observed, evidenced by downregulation of PAI-1 protein and gene expression. In addition, M reduced S100A4 expression and vimentin staining, which are markers for epithelial mesenchymal transition, a major pathway to chronic kidney fibrosis. Finally, expression of oxidative stress markers Nox2 and iNOS was reduced. We conclude that inhibition of thrombin is an effective therapy against IRI that reduces chronic graft fibrosis, with a significantly positive effect on survival. [source]

The porcine fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene is associated with fat deposition in Italian Duroc pigs

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2009
L. Fontanesi
Summary In humans, common variants in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene are associated with body mass index and obesity. Here we sequenced exon 4, parts of introns 3 and 4 and two portions of the 3,-untranslated region of the porcine FTO gene in a panel of nine pigs of different breeds and identified three SNPs. Allele frequencies of the g.276T>G (AM931150) mutation were studied in seven pig breeds. This mutation was used to linkage-map FTO to SSC6. Association analyses between the g.276T>G polymorphism and several traits [pH of semimembranosus muscle and estimated breeding values (EBV) for average daily gain, back fat thickness, lean cuts, ham weight and feed:gain ratio] were carried out in 257 sib-tested Italian Large White pigs. Only feed:gain ratio showed P < 0.05. A selective genotyping approach was applied, analysing two extreme and divergent groups of Italian Large White pigs selected on the basis of back fat thickness EBV (50 with most positive and 50 with most negative values). Fisher's exact test (two-tailed) was not significant when comparing the allele frequencies of these two groups. The same approach was used in the Italian Duroc breed for which two extreme and divergent groups of animals were selected according to visible intermuscular fat EBV. Differences of allele frequencies between these two groups were highly significant (P < 0.00001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, considering all animals or only two- or three-generation unrelated animals respectively), indicating association between the analysed FTO marker and intermuscular fat deposition. [source]

Brain damage in pigs produced by impact with a nonpenetrating captive bolt pistol

AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003
JW FINNIE
Objective To assess the effect of impact with a nonpene-trating captive bolt pistol in pigs by studying the resulting traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare the pathological changes with those found previously in the brains of sheep using a similar experimental paradigm. Procedure The unrestrained heads of six, anaesthetised, 7- to 8-week-old, Large White pigs were impacted in the temporal region with a nonpenetrating captive bolt pistol. Four hours postimpact, brains were perfusion-fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde. Coronal sections from six levels along the brain were cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemically for amyloid precursor protein, a sensitive marker of axonal injury (AI) in the brain after trauma. Results TBI in pigs was characterised only by very mild AI, whereas AI in sheep after captive bolt impact to the same head region was much more severe and widely distributed and often associated with vascular damage such as contusions, subarachnoid and intraparenchymal haemorrhage. Conclusions TBI in pigs was much less severe than in sheep after non-penetrating mechanical impact of similar magnitude, confirming the importance of interspecies differences in determining an appropriate physical method of euthanasia. [source]

In vivo evaluation of an implantable portal pump system for augmenting liver perfusion

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 8 2000
L. R. Jiao
Background Increasing portal inflow in cirrhosis using a mechanical pump reduces portal venous pressure and improves liver function. A pump has been developed for portal vein implantation in human cirrhosis. This study describes the initial in vivo evaluation in a porcine model. Methods Five Large White pigs underwent laparotomy and exposure of the liver. Flow in the hepatic artery, portal vein and hepatic microcirculation was monitored continuously. Hepatic tissue oxygenation was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. After baseline measurements the pump was inserted into the portal vein. Pump flow rate was then increased stepwise to 50 per cent over the baseline value for a period of 2 h. The pump was then stopped for 20 min and left in situ while continuing to collect systemic and hepatic haemodynamic data. The animal was killed and biopsies for histological examination were taken from the liver, small intestine and spleen. Results The baseline total hepatic blood flow was 626(39) ml/min; the hepatic artery supplied 18·4(2·1) per cent and the portal vein 81·6(2·1) per cent. The pump was inserted successfully in all animals without surgical complications. During surgical insertion of the pump, the temporary portal vein occlusion resulted in a significant rise in hepatic artery blood flow (22(3) per cent; P < 0·01 versus baseline). Portal vein flow was augmented by pumping; there was a significant correlation between the pump motor speed and portal vein flow (P < 0·0001). This inflow correlated directly with flow in the hepatic microcirculation and hepatic tissue oxygenation (P < 0·001). The pump ran satisfactorily throughout the study. Histological examination revealed no evidence of structural damage to the liver or ischaemic changes in the small intestine or spleen. Conclusion It is technically possible and safe to insert an implantable pump in the portal vein. Portal venous blood flow can be increased up to 50 per cent with a resultant increase in flow in the hepatic microcirculation and hepatic oxygenation and without adverse effects on either hepatic or systemic haemodynamics. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]

Phylogenetic analysis for the Seoul National University (Minnesota) miniature pig by mitochondrial DNA sequence polymorphism

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
Su-Cheong YEOM
ABSTRACT Seoul National University (SNU) miniature pigs are originated from the Minnesota miniature pig. This study was conducted to investigate the maternal origin of SNU (Minnesota) miniature pigs and their phylogenetic relationships by analyzing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop (control region) sequence. Two mtDNA D-loop sequences of the SNU miniature pigs were identified. On an unweighted pair-group method with an arithmetic mean (UPGMA) phylogenetic tree analysis, the large white was the pig breed closest to the SNU miniature pig, and the pairwise distance analysis showed the same result. While mtDNA sequences of 4 pig breeds which were used to establish Minnesota miniature pig were not known, our result might be different from the history of the Minnesota miniature pig development. In conclusion, we thought that some haplotypes of the Minnesota miniature pig maternally were originated from the Large white pig, or that wild pigs had similar mtDNA sequences to the Large white pig, and all SNU miniature pigs were derived from this colony. [source]