Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Piglets
Kinds of Piglets Terms modified by Piglets Selected AbstractsThe Idea of LiteracyJOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION, Issue 2 2000Jim MacKenzie In this paper I show that literacy is not, as is often thought, a necessary condition for civilisation; argue that it was not, as often thought, the crucial factor in enabling the modern world to emerge from earlier civilisations; report the disadvantages of literacy as expressed by Plato's character Socrates and Milne's character Piglet, and look at the relation of literacy to reasoning and to philosophy; trace the role of the idea of literacy in the nineteenth century protocol for creating national cultures, and speculate on further developments in the same line; and then discuss its role in the modern economy and in the future. [source] Growth performance and health status in weanling piglets fed spray-dried porcine plasma under typical Northern European conditionsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 1-2 2002A. J. VAN DIJK The effect of inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in diets for weanling piglets was studied. The objectives were to determine whether SDPP would have positive effects on post-weaning piglet performance and health under typical Northern European conditions. In experiment 1, 160 weanling piglets were assigned randomly to a control diet or a diet containing 3% SDPP, which was added at the expense of both fishmeal and dried skim milk. In experiment 2, 264 weanling piglets were assigned to a control diet containing whey protein, a diet without whey protein but with SDPP or a diet containing both whey protein and SDPP. In essence, SDPP was added to the test diets at the expense of either whey protein or fishmeal. Piglets were fed the diets for 3 weeks. In experiment 1, the piglets fed the SDPP diet had a 7% higher average daily gain (ADG) and a 4% lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) during the first 3 weeks after weaning than did those fed the control diet. There were no differences in leucocyte counts or ,-globulin. In experiment 2 there were no significant differences in ADG and FCR among the dietary treatments. It is concluded that low amounts of SDPP in weanling diets can have positive effects on growth performance under Northern European conditions. [source] Effect of L -carnitine supplementation on performance parameters in gilts and sowsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2001K. Eder The effect of L-carnitine supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on performance parameters of sows was studied. The trial comprised a total of 127 sows (40 gilts, 87 mature sows) which were divided into a control and a treatment group. All animals were fed individually and received basic feed mixtures for pregnancy and lactation with low carnitine concentrations (gestation diet: 4.7 mg/kg feed, lactation diet: 12.5 mg/kg feed). The rations of the sows in the treated group were supplemented with 125 mg L -carnitine per head and day during pregnancy and 250 mg L -carnitine per head and day during lactation. The animals of the control group received identical feed mixtures in identical amounts, but without the L -carnitine supplement. L -carnitine supplementation resulted in higher sow liveweight gains between day 1 and day 85 of pregnancy. The number of piglets per litter and the number born alive did not differ between the control sows and those treated with L -carnitine. However, the L -carnitine-supplemented sows produced only half as many non-viable piglets as the control animals. Moreover, litter weight and mean birth weight of piglets from L -carnitine-treated sows were higher than in the control sows. This effect was more marked in gilts (+8% higher litter weight, +9% higher piglet weight) than in sows (+7% and +6%, respectively). Piglets from sows whose ration was supplemented with L -carnitine showed higher liveweight gains during the suckling period (+12% for gilts, +4% for sows), which is why litter weights post weaning were also higher among the sows treated with L -carnitine than in the control sows (+14% for gilts, +10% for sows). Overall, the study shows that dietary supplementation with L -carnitine during pregnancy and lactation improves the reproductive performance of sows. [source] High trough levels of oral FK506 induced by loss of small intestinePEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2001Nobuyuki Sano Abstract: To establish a safe and effective usage of oral tacrolimus (FK506) in small bowel transplantation (SBTx) recipients, trough levels and area under the curve (AUC) values of FK506 were assessed using swine models of SBTx and short bowel. Thirty-eight Landrace male piglets were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1, controls (n=13); Group 2, a one-third small bowel model (n=5); Group 3, a short bowel model (n=10); and Group 4, a one-third small bowel allograft model (n=10; five donors and five recipients). Piglets of Groups 1 and 3 were further divided into two sub-groups, according to the route of drug administration: Groups 1a (n=10) and 3a (n=7) received FK506 orally, and Groups 1b (n=3) and 3b (n=3) received FK506 intravenously. Oral or intravenous FK506 was started on post-operative day 3 and continued until day 7 in each group. On day 7, trough levels and AUC values were measured. In Groups 1a, 2, 3a and 4, trough levels of FK506 were 2.1±1.2 (p<0.01 vs. Group 2, 3a or 4), 11.2±2.1, 23.3±4.8 (p<0.05 vs. Group 2 or 4) and 14.6±3.0 ng/mL, and AUC values were 101±90 (p<0.01 vs. Group 3a or 4), 319&±155, 808±200, and 531±113 ng.h/mL, respectively. Both trough levels and AUC values were lowest in Group 1a and highest in Group 3a. Between Groups 1b and 3b, there was no significant difference in the blood levels of intravenous FK506. The shorter the functioning residual small intestine was, the higher the trough level of oral FK506 was, while the presence or absence of small intestine did not affect blood levels of intravenous FK506. These results suggest that oral FK506 is metabolized in the functioning small intestine during its absorption. Therefore, events which cause intestinal malfunction, such as graft rejection in SBTx, inflammation and loss of small intestine, may adversely raise the trough level of oral FK506. [source] Intestinal Villus Histological Alterations in Piglets fed Dietary Charcoal Powder Including Wood Vinegar Compound LiquidANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 1 2004A. Mekbungwan Summary To investigate the effects of dietary charcoal powder including wood vinegar compound liquid (CWVC, 4 : 1) on intestinal villus histology, piglets were fed 0, 1, 3 and 5% dietary CWVC diets for 30 days. Feed intake and body weight gain were measured during the experimental period. At the end of the experiments, intestinal villus height, epithelial cell area and cell mitosis were examined using light microscopy (LM), and the duodenal villus tip surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Feed efficiency tended to be improved in the CWVC group. The 3% CWVC group showed the highest value, followed by 1% CWVC group of most LM parameters in most intestinal parts, but the 5% CWVC group showed the almost similar value compared with the control. In addition, on the duodenal villus tip surface, the 3% CWVC group showed a clearer cell outline, larger cells and cells protuberated further into the lumen than those of the 1% CWVC group. However, the 5% CWVC group showed faint SEM features than the 1% CWVC group. The present trend of improved feed efficiency after feedings of dietary CWVC demonstrates that the CWVC could be incorporated into piglet diets up to 3% level, and that the CWVC might activate intestinal functions both at villus and cellular levels. [source] Effect of a Miniaturized Cardiopulmonary Bypass System on the Inflammatory Response and Cardiac Function in Neonatal PigletsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 11 2009Ko Yoshizumi Abstract The cognitive impairment and hemodynamic instability after neonatal cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) might be exacerbated by hemodilution. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of different bloodless prime volumes on the hemodynamics and the inflammatory response by a miniaturized CPB system in neonatal piglets. The bypass circuit consisted of a Capiox RX05 (Capiox Baby RX, Terumo Corp., Tokyo, Japan) oxygenator and 3/16 internal diameter arterial and venous polyvinyl chloride tubing lines, with a minimum 75 mL prime volume. Twelve 1-week-old piglets were placed on a mild hypothermic CPB (32°C) at 120 mL/kg/min for 2 h. The animals were divided into two groups, based on the volume of the prime solution. The priming volume was 75 mL in Group I and 175 mL in Group II. No blood transfusions were performed, and no inotropic or vasoactive drugs were used. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex levels, as well as right ventricular and pulmonary functions, were measured before and after CPB. Group I had low levels of IL-6 and TAT immediately after CPB (4370 ± 2346 vs. 9058 ± 2307 pg/mL, P < 0.01 and 9.9 ± 7.7 vs. 25.1 ± 8.8 ng/mL, P < 0.01, respectively). Group I had significantly improved cardiopulmonary function, cardiac index (0.22 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.05 L/kg/min, P < 0.001), and pulmonary vascular resistance index (7366 ± 2860 vs. 28 620 ± 15 552 dynes/cm5/kg, P < 0.01) compared with Group II. The miniaturized bloodless prime circuit for neonatal CPB demonstrated that the influence of hemodilution can reduce the subsequent inflammatory response. In addition, a low prime volume could therefore be particularly effective for attenuating pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular dysfunction in neonates. [source] Fluid shifts during cardiopulmonary bypass with special reference to the effects of hypothermiaBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 7 2000J. K. Heltne Background Generalized overhydration, oedema and organ dysfunction occurs in patients undergoing open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and hypothermia. Inflammatory reactions induced by contact between blood and the foreign surfaces of the extracorporeal circuit are commonly held responsible for the disturbances in fluid balance (,capillary leak syndrome'). Using the CPB circuit reservoir as a fluid gauge (measuring continuous extracorporeal blood volume), fluid shifts between the intravascular and the extravascular space, and differences between normothermic and moderately hypothermic CPB, were examined. Methods Piglets were placed on CPB (thoracotomy) under general anaesthesia. In the normothermic group (n = 7) the core temperature was kept at 38°C before and during 2 h on CPB, whereas in the hypothermic group (n = 7) the temperature was lowered to 29°C during bypass. In addition to accurate recording of fluid during operation, the extracorporeal blood volume was kept constant by maintaining a certain blood level in the CPB circuit's reservoir. Acetated Ringer was used as priming solution in the CPB, as maintenance fluid and for adding fluid to the reservoir if necessary. Results Cardiac output, serum electrolytes and arterial blood gases were all similar in the two groups. Haematocrit fell significantly following the start of CPB in both groups. The reservoir fluid level fell markedly in both groups necessitating fluid supplementation. This extra fluid requirement was transient in the normothermic group, but persisted in hypothermic animals. At the end of 2 h of CPB the hypothermic animals had received seven times more extra fluid than the normothermic pigs. Conclusion There were strong indications of a greater fluid extravasation induced by hypothermia. The model described, using the PBC circuit reservoir as a fluid gauge, provides the opportunity for further study of fluid volume shifts, their causes and potential ways to manipulate fluid pathophysiology related to hypothermia and to PBC. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] Additional dietary zinc for weaning piglets is associated with elevated concentrations of serum IGF-IJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 9-10 2004D. Carlson Summary Two experiments were performed in order to study how weaning and post-weaning dietary zinc level affect serum IGF-I. Further, whether the growth-enhancing effect of 2500 ppm of dietary zinc (Zn2500) and/or 175 ppm of dietary copper (Cu175) in post-weaning diets is associated with elevated serum IGF-I levels in piglets was studied. Experiment 1 included 54 piglets (six litters of nine piglets). One piglet from every litter was assigned to a control group (blood sampled 1 day before weaning). At weaning the remaining eight piglets from every litter were allocated randomly to four dietary treatments with increasing zinc inclusions (Zn100, Zn250, Zn1000, Zn2500). In exp. 2, 48 piglets (six litters of eight piglets) were allocated to four dietary treatments (Zn100, Zn100Cu175, Zn2500, Zn2500Cu175). All piglets in exp. 1 were blood sampled at ,1, 1,2, 5,6 or 14,15 days after weaning and in exp. 2 blood samples were taken from all pigs 5,7 days after weaning. Feed intake was recorded per pen (two piglets) and weight gain was recorded for every piglet. Just after weaning feed intake was very low, piglets lost weight and serum IGF-I decreased in exp. 1. However, the piglets fed 2500 ppm of zinc reached pre-weaning levels of serum IGF-I at 14,15 days post-weaning, whereas piglets receiving lower zinc levels showed no changes in serum IGF-I. In exp. 2, additional dietary zinc in weaning diets for piglets was found to be associated with increased feed intake, improved growth rate and increased serum IGF-I. High levels of dietary copper did not affect any of these measurements. Zinc-induced rise in serum IGF-I was partly due to increased feed intake. After correcting for differences in feed intake, zinc significantly increased serum IGF-I. However, to completely separate effects of feed intake from effects of zinc status, pair-feeding should be considered in future studies. [source] Comparison of global gene expression between porcine testis tissue xenografts and porcine testis in situMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2007Wenxian Zeng Abstract Testis tissue from immature mammalian donor animals, grafted ectopically to immunodeficient mouse hosts, can undergo complete spermatogenesis with the production of fertilization-competent spermatozoa. To further characterize testis tissue xenografts as a model for testis function in situ, the objective of this study was to compare gene expression between porcine testis tissue xenografts and testis tissue in situ. Pieces of testis tissue from 1-week-old piglets were grafted onto immunodeficient male mice and a littermate piglet was raised for comparison as control. Complete spermatogenesis was present in the testis tissue xenografts at 8 months after transplantation into mouse hosts and in the 8-month-old control porcine testis tissue. Total RNA was isolated from xenografts and control tissue, and the RNA was labeled and hybridized to the porcine genome array. By analyzing the expression of 23,256 transcripts, we found that 71 genes were differentially expressed with at least a fourfold difference between xenografts and control tissue. Interestingly, none of the 56 transcripts present on the array that were annotated in porcine testis showed differential expression between xenografts and control testis. This analysis indicates that global gene expression in porcine testis xenografts appears comparable to testis tissue in situ. These findings support the hypothesis that testis tissue xenografts can provide a representative model to study mammalian spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 674,679, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparison of In Vitro Maturation, In Vitro Fertilization, Metabolism and Ultrastructure of Oocytes from Prepubertal and Adult PigsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3-4 2000JK O'Brien Contents In vitro maturation and fertilization, metabolism and ultrastructure were examined for oocytes from prepubertal and adult pigs. The proportion of oocytes undergoing in vitro maturation was lower for oocytes derived from prepubertal (piglets aged 8,10 weeks; 59.8% and gilts aged 5,6 months; 79.2%) than for those from adult ( ows aged 4,6 years; 92.2%) pigs (p < 0.05). A higher proportion of oocytes from piglets (22.8%) degenerated during in vitro maturation than from gilts (4.8%) and adult pigs (4.7%; p < 0.05). There was an increased incidence of polyspermic fertilization in prepubertal (piglet; 52.2%, gilt; 23.8%) compared with adult (7.1%) oocytes (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the metabolism of glucose, glutamine or pyruvate between oocytes from prepubertal and adult pigs. The metabolism of glutamine by prepubertal and adult oocytes matured in vitro was significantly higher than that by prepubertal oocytes matured in vivo (p < 0.05). Oocyte size and ultrastructure was also similar for oocytes from prepubertal and adult pigs. These data show that prepubertal and adult pig oocytes have a different in vitro developmental capacity, but similar metabolic activity and ultrastructure, under the conditions investigated. [source] Effects of dietary glucose level during late gestation on litter performance and glucose concentration in sowsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Young-Keun HAN ABSTRACT The effects of feeding glucose during the 5 days before parturition on litter performance and on glucose concentration in sows were studied. At day 100 of gestation, 130 multiparous sows were assigned to the treatments. Late gestating sows were fed 0 g, 150 g, 250 g, 350 g and 450 g of glucose a day, respectively. During lactation, all sows were given free access to the same lactation diet (without glucose). One day before parturition, blood samples were collected from 30 sows (6 sows per treatment) at 10 before and 20, 40, 60 and 80 min after the meal. The supply of additional dietary glucose increased piglet birth weight (P < 0.05). Feed intake in week 1 and week 1,4 of lactation was greatest in sows fed the 0% glucose diet, least by sows fed the 18% glucose diet, and intermediate by sows fed the 6, 10, 14% glucose diets (P < 0.05). Basal glucose concentration and time of maximum glucose concentration after glucose intake were not affected by dietary treatment in the last 5 days of gestation. The sows fed the 14 and 18% glucose diets had greater maximum increase in glucose concentration than sows fed diet without glucose (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding glucose to sows during 5 days before parturition increased birth weight of live-born piglet and decreased sows feed intake during lactation, but did not affect the performance of sows and piglets. [source] Front and Back Covers, Volume 24, Number 3.ANTHROPOLOGY TODAY, Issue 3 2008June 200 Front cover and back cover caption, volume 24 issue 3 Front cover Front cover: Front cover In this issue of ANTHROPOLOGY TODAY, Adrian Peace takes a critical look at the way in which neo-evolutionary theories and anthropological concepts are brought together in an award-winning campaign to sell more meat in Australia (his article is debated by four respondents on pp 23,25). Among others adopting a critical perspective, the animal rights movement was outraged at claims made about red meat as a ,natural', ,healthy' and ,essential' part of the average Australian diet. Just as a prominent film star was recruited to the ,Red Meat , Feel Good' campaign, the hugely popular Missy Higgins was deployed to front the response from the animal rights movement. The youthful and fresh-faced Australian singer-songwriter, cuddling the vulnerable white piglet, iconically represents an informed, intelligent and humane vegetarian approach to the future in the relationship between human and non-human animals. Higgins here makes a striking plea for ,enlightenment'. Enlightenment of a different kind is offered by the poster reprinted on the back cover, where an Indian transvestite celebrates the joy of a minority gender identity. Although the rights of both human minorities and non-human animals may be ,universal', they must be rendered in culturally specific terms in order to be politically effective. Back cover Back cover: modern enlightenment in ancient sacred sites ,Be enlightened!' In 2006 ,Shelly Innocence' launched a new phone service in Bodhgaya, Bihar, offering customers the opportunity to receive personal text messages of EnlightenmentÔ on their mobile phones. Large billboards with images of this virtual transgendered guru were erected outside the main temple to advertise the service. Not only is Bodhgaya a site of inspiration for millions of Buddhists around the world, but the seat of enlightenment has also come to mean very different things as this cosmopolitan pilgrimage town goes global. For many decades the state of Bihar, where Bodhgaya is located, has been one of the least attractive destinations for pilgrims, tourists and anthropologists because of its notorious reputation as one of the most impoverished and ,lawless' states in the country. However in recent years the Mahabodhi Temple complex in Bodhgaya has become the object of global attention as a UNESCO World Heritage site, setting in motion a series of initiatives to encourage tourism and city development plans. As a result of new conservation policies and demands on the built environment, the World Heritage designation has become invested with a diverse set of claims and meanings by various stakeholders and religious communities. As a site of dense historical, religious and political significance, Bodhgaya today is a unique locus where spiritual and digital worlds collide in the shade of the bodhi tree. [source] The preterm piglet , a model in the study of oesophageal development in preterm neonatesACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2010S Rasch Abstract Aim:, Preterm infants have difficulty in attaining independent oral feeding. This can ensue from inadequate sucking, swallowing and/or respiration. In impeding bolus transport, immature oesophageal motility may also be a cause. As studies on the development of oesophageal motility are invasive in preterm infants, the preterm piglet was investigated as a potential research model. Methods:, Oesophageal motility (EM) of term (n = 6) and preterm (n = 15) piglets were monitored by manometry for 10 min immediately following bottle feeding on days 1,2 and 3,4 of life. Results:, Piglets' oral feeding performance and EM were similar to those of their human counterparts. Term piglets readily completed their feeding, whereas their preterm counterparts did not. They also presented with greater peristaltic activity and propagating velocity. Peristaltic activity remained unchanged over time in preterm piglets, but an increase in synchronous and decrease in incomplete motor activity were noted. Preterm piglets that developed symptoms analogous to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) demonstrated uncharacteristic oesophageal activity. Conclusion:, Immature EM may cause oral feeding difficulties. NEC-like symptoms may adversely affect EM. The piglet is a valid research model for studying human infant oral feeding and oesophageal development. [source] Attenuated endothelin-1 mRNA expression with endothelin-1 receptor blockade during hypoxaemia and reoxygenation in newborn pigletsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2000S Medbø We investigated the cause of decreased plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) during hypoxaemia and reoxygenation in newborn piglets subjected to simultaneous blocking of the ET-1 receptors. Changes in plasma ET-1 and prepro-ET-1 mRNA expression in the main pulmonary artery and the left lower lobe in the lung were studied in 1-2-d-old piglets. Ten minutes prior to hypoxaemia, the hypoxaemia group (n = 10) was given saline, two groups (both n = 9) were given 1 and 5 mg/kg i.v. SB 217242 (an ET-1 receptor antagonist). Two groups served as normoxic controls, with and without SB 217242 5 mg/kg i.v. Hypoxaemia was induced by ventilating with 8% O2 until base excess was 20mmol/l or mean arterial blood pressure was < 20mmHg. Reoxygenation was performed for 2h with room air. During hypoxaemia, plasma ET-1 decreased in the hypoxaemia group, remained unchanged in the 1-mg group and increased in the 5-mg group. At the end of reoxygenation, plasma ET-1 was above baseline in the 1-mg and 5-mg groups. In the pulmonary artery, the hypoxaemia group showed 2- to 5-fold higher prepro-ET-1 mRNA expression compared to all the other groups (p < 0.05). There were trends for higher prepro-ET-1 mRNA expression in pulmonary tissue in the hypoxaemia group compared to the two receptor-blocking groups (p < 0.07). Conclusions: We conclude that hypoxaemia and reoxygenation increase prepro-ET-1 mRNA expression in the pulmonary artery in newborn piglets. These observations suggest that the half-life of ET-1 is decreased during hypoxaemia and reoxygenation in newborn piglets. [source] Prolonged exposure to inhaled nitric oxide transiently modifies tubular function in healthy piglets and promotes tubular apoptosisACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009W. Go, dzik Abstract Aim:, Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a selective pulmonary vasodilator. We hypothesized that those piglets exposed to prolonged iNO react with a modified renal function. Methods:, Randomized, placebo-controlled exposure to 40 p.p.m. iNO (30 h) in piglets (n = 20). Plasma and urine were sampled during three periods (first and second 12 h periods, and finally a 6 h period). We measured urine volumes, plasma and urine electrolytes (UNa, UK, UCl), plasma creatinine and urea. We calculated creatinine clearance (Ccr), and fractional excretions of sodium and potassium (FENa, FEK) and urinary excretions of electrolytes (UENa, UEK, UECl). Haemodynamic data were recorded and renal tubular apoptosis detected. Results:, For the first 12 h, certain parameters significantly increased in the iNO group (mean ± SD): UNa (mmol L,1), 87.7 (±35.0) vs. 39.3 (±22.9), UCl (mmol L,1) 80.4 (±32.8) vs. 48.0 (±26.7), FENa (%) 2.1 (±0.8) vs. 0.7 (±0.5), FEK (%) 31.7 (±7.0) vs. 20.7 (±12.3), as well as UENa (mmol) 61.0 (±21.1) vs. 27.6 (±17.9) and UECl (mmol) 57.3 (24.5) vs. 37.6 (29.0). These changes were absent in the second and third periods of the study. Significant differences in percentage of apoptotic cell nuclei in the renal cortex and medulla were found after iNO exposure: 39% vs. 15%. Conclusion:, Exposure to 40 p.p.m. iNO in healthy anaesthetized piglets has a transient natriuretic effect that disappears after 12 h. We also found evidence of renal tubular apoptosis promotion after 30 h of iNO. [source] Intrauterine growth restriction reduces nephron number and renal excretory function in newborn piglets,ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2002R. Bauer ABSTRACT To examine the effects of intrauterine growth restriction on nephron number, renal circulation, and renal excretory functions in newborns, studies were conducted on 1-day-old anaesthetized piglets, divided into normal weight (n = 6) and intrauterine growth restricted (n = 6) piglets. Renal blood flow was measured by coloured microspheres, glomerular filtration rate was measured by inulin clearance, and osmotic clearance and fractional sodium excretion were calculated. In addition, an estimation of the nephron number was performed by counting representative glomerular numbers in microscopic sections. Newborn intrauterine growth restricted piglets exhibited a reduced glomerular filtration rate and osmotic clearance (P < 0.05), whereas renal blood flow and the filtration fraction as well as fractional sodium excretion were similar in normal weight and intrauterine growth restricted piglets. The nephron number was markedly reduced in intrauterine growth restricted piglets even if the nephron number was related to body weight (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between nephron number and glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.69, P < 0.05). Reduced glomerular filtration rate of newborn intrauterine growth restricted piglets is associated with a reduced nephron number. Thus, at birth, compensatory response of renal function due to nephron deficit does not exist in intrauterine growth restricted piglets. [source] Nursing Synchronization and Milk Ejection Failure as Maternal Strategies to Reduce Allosuckling in Pair-Housed Sows (Sus scrofa domestica)ETHOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Gudrun Illmann Non-offspring nursing (allosuckling) is costly for lactating females. It is reasonable to assume, therefore, that mechanisms have evolved to control the frequency of allosuckling. It is suggested that the synchronization of nursing between females could be such a mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether nursing synchronization is related to the timing of nursing behaviour of paired sows and the behaviour of alien piglets in relation to allosuckling. Specifically, we predicted that: (i) nursing synchronization will increase if there is a real risk of allosuckling compared with a situation where there is none, (ii) nursing synchronization indeed reduces allosuckling and, therefore, those nursings with allosuckling attempts will be less closely synchronized than those without allosuckling attempts and (iii) in non-synchronized nursings, the sows will more often employ another strategy to reduce allosuckling, namely, they will make the nursings non-nutritive by not releasing milk. Ten pairs of sows and their litters were used in this study. For each pair, the two sows were housed individually until their litters were weaned; however, their litters had access to both sows from day 11 post-partum. The behaviour of the 10 pairs of sows with their litters was videotaped for 6 h on days 10, 11, 17 and 24 post-partum. The frequency of allosuckling attempts, non-nutritive nursings and allosuckling during milk ejection was analysed for every pair for every day of observation. The observed frequency of nursing synchronization was high. The median interval between the start of a nursing within one pair of sows was 32 s. The first prediction was supported as synchronization became significantly tighter when piglets were given the possibility to allosuckle on day 11 [Cochran,Mantel,Haenszel (CMH) statistics, p < 0.0001]. The second prediction was also supported; the nursings were less closely synchronized when there were allosuckling attempts (CMH statistics, p < 0.05). Of all nursings, 36% had an allosuckling attempt; however, only 17% resulted in real allosuckling. Evidence in favour of the third prediction was also found as non-nutritive nursings were more frequent in non-synchronized nursings (CMH statistics, p < 0.05). Finally, real allosuckling during milk ejection was unrelated to the degree of nursing synchronization, as in less synchronized nursings, the sows responded to allosuckling attempts by not releasing milk. Our results suggest that sows are not able to completely suppress allosuckling; however, they can reduce its frequency through nursing synchronization and non-nutritive nursings. [source] Increased myocardial matrix metalloproteinases in hypoxic newborn pigs during resuscitation: effects of oxygen and carbon dioxideEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 7 2004W. B. Borke Abstract Background, Perinatal asphyxia is associated with cardiac dysfunction, and it is important to prevent further tissue injury during resuscitation. There is increasing evidence that myocardial matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in myocardial hypoxaemia,reoxygenation injury. Objective, To assess MMPs and antioxidant capacity in newborn pigs after global ischaemia and subsequent resuscitation with ambient air or 100% O2 at different PaCO2 -levels. Methods, Newborn pigs (12,36 h of age) were resuscitated for 30 min by ventilation with 21% or 100% O2 at different PaCO2 levels after a hypoxic insult, and thereafter observed for 150 min. In myocardial tissue extracts, MMPs were analyzed by gelatin zymography and broad matrix-degrading capacity (total MMP). Total endogenous antioxidant capacity in myocardial tissue extracts was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Results, Matrix metalloproteinase-2 more than doubled from baseline values (P < 0·001), and was higher in piglets resuscitated with 100% O2 than with ambient air (P = 0·012). The ORAC value was considerably decreased (P < 0·001). In piglets with elevated PaCO2, total MMP-activity in the right ventricle was more increased than in the left ventricle (P = 0·008). In the left ventricle, total MMPactivity was higher in the piglets with low PaCO2 than in the piglets with elevated PaCO2 (P = 0·013). Conclusion, In hypoxaemia-reoxygenation injury the MMP-2 level was highly increased and was most elevated in the piglets resuscitated with 100% O2. Antioxidant capacity was considerably decreased. Assessed by total MMP-activity, elevated PaCO2 during resuscitation might protect the left ventricle, and probably increase right ventricle injury of the myocardium. [source] Isolation and identification of equol-producing bacterial strains from cultures of pig faecesFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2008Zhuo-Teng Yu Abstract Transformation of daidzein to equol was compared during fermentation of three growth media inoculated with faeces from Erhualian piglets, but equol was produced from only one medium, M1. Two equol-producing strains (D1 and D2) were subsequently isolated using medium M1. Both strains were identified as Eubacterium sp., on the basis of morphological and physiological characteristics, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains D1 and D2 were most closely related to previously characterized daidzein-metabolizing bacteria isolated from human faecal and rumen samples, respectively. This suggests that the ability to metabolize daidzein can be found among bacteria present within the mammalian intestine. The results provided the first account of conversion of daidzein directly to equol by bacterial species from farm animals. These strains may be of importance to the improvement of animal performance, and the use of medium M1 could provide a simple way to isolate bacterial strains capable of transforming daidzein into equol. [source] Investigation of optimal intensity and safety of electrical nerve stimulation during intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: A prospective porcine model,HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 10 2010Che-Wei Wu MD Abstract Background Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) has recently been more frequently applied in thyroid surgery. However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety and optimal intensity of electrical nerve stimulation. Methods Eight piglets were enrolled, and electrically evoked electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the vocalis muscles via endotracheal surface electrodes. The baseline EMG was measured and continuous pulsatile stimulations were performed on the vagus nerve and RLN for 10 minutes. Changes of EMG waveform and cardiopulmonary status were analyzed. Results A dose,response curve existed with increasing EMG amplitude as stimulating current was increased, with maximum amplitude elicited on vagal and RLN stimulation at <1 mA. No obvious EMG changes and untoward cardiopulmonary effects were observed after the stimulation. Conclusions Electrical stimulation is safe during IONM in this porcine model. Minimal current that required generating the maximal evoked EMG, approximately 1 mA in this study, can be selected to minimize the risk of nerve damage and cardiopulmonary effects. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010 [source] Nutriose, a prebiotic low-digestible carbohydrate, stimulates gut mucosal immunity and prevents TNBS-induced colitis in piglets,INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 5 2010Philippe R. Pouillart PhD Abstract Background: We investigated a prebiotic low-digestible carbohydrate (LDC) as a possible food ingredient to stimulate bowel functions in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The study aimed to assess a fermentable dextrin fiber (Nutriose) and its relationship to the immune management of the disease and the microbiota profile in colitis-bearing piglets. Methods: In a randomized placebo-controlled parallel blind preclinical study, 32 male piglets were fed LDC (4% Nutriose) or dextrose placebo for 44 days before being challenged with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce colitis. We followed the microbiota profile using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeted to 9 bacterial genera. Secretory IgA was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Inflammatory protein profiles were monitored in blood and colonic tissues. Both histological scoring of biopsy samples and live endoscopic scoring were used to measure colitis development. Results: Prior and continuing LDC supplementation alleviated the symptoms of colitis (body weight loss, bloody stools) induced by a TNBS challenge. This effect was associated with an improvement in endoscopic and histological scores. LDC was shown to selectively downregulate some of the proinflammatory factors and their concomitant pyretic events and to stimulate the Th2-related immune pathway (IL-10 and s-IgA). Conclusions: At the dose tested, LDC is a well-tolerated prebiotic agent able to not only stimulate butyrogenic bacteria strains and reduce intestinal transit disorders and energy intake, but also to prevent chronic inflammatory intestinal injuries. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010 [source] Evidence for the presence of 5,-deiodinase in mammalian seminal plasma and for the increase in enzyme activity in the prepubertal testisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2000Brzezi, lebodzi Thyroid hormones are critical for structural and functional development of the testis and Sertoli cells are considered true target cells for triiodothyronine (T3). However, the role of thyroid hormones in the adult testis seems to be minimal and the mechanism by which they affect testicular function is not known. Due to the existing blood,testis barrier the concentration of thyroid hormones in seminal plasma is kept lower than in blood plasma. We have found that T3 may reach the testis not only from the circulation but also from local enzymic conversion of thyroxine to T3. The presence of the enzymic activity responsible for thyroxine 5,deiodination and for generating T3 locally was also found in boar's seminal plasma. The seminal plasma 5,-deiodinase (5,-D) appeared to be predominantly the propylthiouracil (PTU)-insensitive type II isoenzyme found, so far, in tissues where it plays a role in paracrine signalling. It contains selenocysteine in its molecule (inhibition by aurothioglucose), and has an apparent Km for reverse-T3 as substrate of 0.36 n M and a Vmax 23.8 fmol I,/mg protein/min. Because the seminal plasma 5,-D is partially, but uncompetitively, inhibited by PTU, the presence in seminal plasma of two 5,-D isoenzymes (type I and II) cannot be excluded. The 5,-D activity in testes increased significantly between week 3 and 4, and this increase was concomitant with increase in testicular size. The relationship between testicular weight gain and age showed a similar characteristic change and corresponded to the change in 5,-D activity. Unlike in rodents, the testis of the prepubertal pig has thyroid hormone receptors in Sertoli cells, and suggests that in growing piglets, testicular 5,-D is a key factor regulating local supply of biologically active T3, and is an essential factor in testicular paracrine function. The present results are the first demonstration and characterization of the 5,-deiodinase in seminal plasma. [source] QTL for traits related to humoral immune response estimated from data of a porcine F2 resource populationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 3 2009K. Wimmers Summary This study aimed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for traits related to humoral innate immune defence. Therefore, haemolytic complement activity in the alternative and the classical pathway, serum concentration of C3c and of haptoglobin (HP) were measured in blood samples obtained from F2 piglets (n = 457) of a porcine F2 resource population before and after Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Aujeszky's disease virus (Suid herpesvirus I, SuHVI) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccination at 6, 14 and 16 weeks of age. Animals were genotyped at 88 autosomal markers. QTL analysis was performed under the line cross and the half sib. Phenotypic data were adjusted for systematic effects by mixed models with and without repeated measures statement. In total, 46 and 21 estimated QTL positions were detected with genome-wide significance at the 0.05 and 0.01 level, respectively. The proximal region of SSC2 (orthologous to HSA11 0,70 Mb), the distal region of SSC4 (HSA1 95,155 Mb), and the intermediate region of SSC16 (HSA5 0,73 Mb and 150,174 Mb) showed a clustering of estimated QTL positions for complement activity based on the different models. A common genetic background, i.e. a single true QTL, might underlie these QTL positions for related traits. In addition, QTL for antibody titres were detected on SSC1, 2, 6 and 7. With regard to number and magnitude of their impact, QTL for humoral innate immune traits behave like those for other quantitative traits. Discovery of such QTL facilitates the identification of candidate genes for disease resistance and immune competence that are applicable in selective breeding and further research towards improving therapeutic and prophylactic measures. [source] Sex differences in cerebral injury after severe haemorrhage and ventricular fibrillation in pigsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2010E. SEMENAS Background: Experimental studies of haemorrhagic shock have documented a superior haemodynamic response and a better outcome in female animals as compared with male controls. Such sexual dimorphism has, nevertheless, not been reported after circulatory arrest that follows exsanguination and shock. We aimed to study differences in cerebral injury markers after exsanguination cardiac arrest in pre-pubertal piglets. The hypothesis was that cerebral injury is less extensive in female animals, and that this difference is independent of sexual hormones or choice of resuscitative fluid. Methods: Thirty-two sexually immature piglets (14 males and 18 females) were subjected to 5 min of haemorrhagic shock followed by 2 min of ventricular fibrillation and 8 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, using three resuscitation fluid regimens (whole blood, hypertonic saline and dextran, or acetated Ringers' solution plus whole blood and methylene blue). Haemodynamic values, cellular markers of brain injury and brain histology were studied. Results: After successful resuscitation, female piglets had significantly greater cerebral cortical blood flow, tended to have lower S-100, values and a lower cerebral oxygen extraction ratio. Besides, in female animals, systemic and cerebral venous acidosis were mitigated. Female piglets exhibited a significantly smaller increase in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in their cerebral cortex, smaller blood,brain-barrier (BBB) disruption and significantly smaller neuronal injury. Conclusion: After resuscitation from haemorrhagic circulatory arrest, cerebral reperfusion is greater, and BBB permeability and neuronal injury is smaller in female piglets. An increased cerebral cortical iNOS and nNOS expression in males implies a mechanistic relationship with post-resuscitation neuronal injury and warrants further investigation. [source] Should dynamic parameters for prediction of fluid responsiveness be indexed to the tidal volume?ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010S. T. VISTISEN Background: The respiratory variation in the pre-ejection period (,PEP) has been used to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. Recently, we modified this parameter (PEPV) and showed that it was a reliable predictor for post-cardiac surgery, mainly paced, patients when moderately low tidal volumes were used. One of the modifications involved tidal volume indexation, which had not been proposed before for dynamic parameters. The aim of the present animal study was to investigate whether indexation to tidal volume should be part of a new definition of dynamic parameters such as the case for our newly proposed PEPV. Methods: Eight prone, anesthetized piglets (23,27 kg) were subjected to a sequence of 25% hypovolemia, normovolemia, and 25% and 50% hypervolemia. At each volemic level, tidal volumes were varied in three steps: 6, 9, and 12 ml/kg. PEP variations (ms) and pulse-pressure variation (PPV) were measured during the three tidal volume steps at each volemic level. Results: PEP variations increased significantly with increasing tidal volume at all volemic levels but 50% hypervolemia and were proportionally related to the tidal volume at normovolemia. PPV increased significantly with increasing tidal volume at all volemic levels and was roughly proportional to the tidal volume at all volemic levels but hypovolemia. Conclusion: Our study indicates that dynamic parameters are improved by indexing to tidal volume. [source] Automated pre-ejection period variation predicts fluid responsiveness in low tidal volume ventilated pigsACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010S. T. VISTISEN Introduction: The respiratory variation in the pre-ejection period (,PEP) has been used to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. Recently, we automated this parameter and indexed it to tidal volume (PEPV) and showed that it was a reliable predictor for post-cardiac surgery, mainly paced, patients ventilated with low tidal volumes. The aims of the present animal study were to investigate PEPV's ability to predict fluid responsiveness under different fluid loading conditions and natural heart rates during low tidal volume ventilation (6 ml/kg) and to compare the performance of PEPV with other markers of fluid responsiveness. Methods: Eight prone, anesthetized piglets (23,27 kg) ventilated with tidal volumes of 6 ml/kg were subjected to a sequence of 25% hypovolemia, normovolemia, and 25% and 50% hypervolemia. PEPV, ,PEP, pulse pressure variation (PPV), central venous pressure (CVP), and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) were measured before each volume expansion. Results: Sensitivity was 89% and specificity was 93% for PEPV, 78% and 93% for ,PEP, 89% and 100% for PPV, 78% and 93% for CVP, and 89% and 87% for PAOP. Conclusion: PEPV predicts fluid responsiveness in low tidal volume ventilated piglets. [source] Genetic variation at the alpha-1-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene in Asian wild boar and Chinese and Western commercial pig breedsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 6 2008W.B. Bao Summary Escherichia coli F18 bacteria producing enterotoxins and/or shigatoxin (ETEC/STEC) are main pathogens that cause oedema disease and postweaning diarrhoea in piglets, and alpha-1-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene has been identified as a candidate gene for controlling the expression of ETEC F18 receptor. The genetic variations at nucleotide position 307 in open reading frame of FUT1 gene in one wild boar breed and 20 western commercial and Chinese native pig breeds were investigated by polymerase chain reaction,restriction fragment length polymorphism. The results showed that the genetic polymorphisms of the FUT1 locus were only detected in western pig breeds and the Chinese Taihu (including Meishan pig, Fengjing pig and Erhualian pig), Huai and Lingao pig breeds; only Duroc and Pietrain possessed the resistant AA genotype, while the wild boar and other Chinese pig breeds only presented the susceptible genotype GG. The results indicated that Chinese native pig breeds lack genetic factors providing resistance to ETEC F18 bacteria. The resistant allele to ETEC F18 might originate from European wild boar. It was inferred that oedema and postweaning diarrhoea caused by ETEC F18 have close relationship with the growth rate, which can explain why on the contrary Chinese native pig breeds have stronger resistance to oedema and postweaning diarrhoea in piglets compared with western pig breeds. [source] Effects of adding liquid dl -methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid to drinking water on growth performance and small intestinal morphology of nursery pigsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3 2010C. Kaewtapee Summary This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding liquid dl -methionine hydroxy analogue free acid (LMA) to drinking water on growth performance, small intestinal morphology and volatile fatty acids in the caecum of nursery pigs. Twenty-four crossbred pigs (Large White × Landrace, BW ,18 kg) were divided into three groups with four replications of two piglets each. The piglets received drinking water without (control), with 0.05 or 0.10% LMA. The results indicated that adding LMA at 0.10% to drinking water significantly increased their weight gain, average daily feed intake (p < 0.05) and tended to improve the feed conversion ratio. Adding LMA to drinking water significantly increased their water intake and significantly reduced the pH of drinking water (p < 0.01), thus total plate count (p < 0.01) and Escherichia coli in drinking water was reduced (p < 0.05), while the total number of bacteria in the caecum was not significantly affected. Liquid dl -methionine hydroxy analogue free acid supplementation in drinking water tended to decrease pH in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, colon and rectum. Furthermore, adding LMA at 0.10% significantly increased villous height in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05), and the villous height:crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.01) was higher, whereas acetic acid concentration in the caecum was significantly lower than in the control group. It could be concluded that adding LMA to drinking water improved growth performance of the nursery pigs because of high water quality and high nutrient utilization caused by an improvement of small intestinal morphology (not from nutritional effect of methionine source). [source] Effects of extrusion and supplementation of exogenous enzymes to diets containing Chinese storage brown rice on the carbohydrase activity in the digestive tract of pigletsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 2 2010J. He Summary Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of extrusion of Chinese storage brown rice and of exogenous enzymes supplementation to diets containing Chinese storage brown rice on the carbohydrase activity in digestive tract of piglets. In Experiment 1, 96 weaned piglets [initially 6.95 ± 0.05 kg body weight (BW)] were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design, the animals were fed the diets containing extruded Chinese storage brown rice or non-treated Chinese storage brown rice and supplemented with or without exogenous enzymes. Each treatment had six replicate pens and four piglets in each pen. The results demonstrated that extrusion significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of duodenal maltase after 14 days of treatment and glucoamylase after 28 days of treatment, jejunal lactase, maltase, isomaltase, sucrase and ,-amylase after 28 days of treatment, and jejunal ,-amylase after 14 days of treatment; enzyme supplementation positively influenced (p < 0.05) the activity of pancreatic ,-amylase after 14 and 28 days of treatment, pancreatic glucoamylase after 28 days of treatment and ileal trehalase after 14 days of treatment. Similarly, interaction between extrusion and enzyme addition existed after 14 days of treatment on the activity of pancreatic ,-amylase and duodenal maltase and on the activity of duodenal glucoamylase and isomaltase, jejunal ,-amylase, lactase, maltase, isomaltase and jejunal ,-amylase after 28 days of treatment. In Experiment 2, six piglets (initially 21 ± 1.85 kg BW) fitted with ileal ,T'-cannulas in a 6 × 6 Latin Square Design were used to study the effects of extrusion and addition of exogenous enzymes on ileal carbohydrase activity and nutrients digestibility. The results showed that exogenous enzymes significantly (p < 0.05) increased ileal ,-amylase, glucoamylase and trehalase activity. The interaction between extrusion and enzyme supplementation had positive effect (p < 0.05) on the ileal lactase, cellobiase and sucrase activity. [source] Effect of different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide supplementation on some immunological variables in weaned pigletsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 4 2009I. Nochta Summary The effect of different doses of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) on specific and non-specific immune responses was studied in piglets, weaned at 28 days. A total of 58 piglets were used in six groups. Five groups were fed 0, 1, 2, 4 g MOS product per kg diet or with growth promoting antibiotics and immunized by inactivated Aujeszky's disease virus (AyV) vaccine at week 1 and 3 of the experiment (35 and 49 days). A sixth group, receiving the same non-supplemented diets was not immunized. Blood samples for lymphocyte stimulation (LST) and AyV neutralization (VN) tests were taken from all pigs on the first day of the experiment and at weekly intervals for 5 weeks. At week 8, the immunized piglets were infected orally with transmissible gastroenteritis virus. All piglets were weighed and slaughtered at week 10, digesta from small intestine were collected and tested for the presence of secretory (s)IgA. Feeding MOS supplementation resulted in enhanced specific and non-specific immune responses, however, a regressive dose-response of MOS was observed. Both the specific cellular (LST) and humoral responses (VN) were enhanced after 2 weeks of feeding 1 g/kg MOS and significantly differed from the antibiotic positive control. The same tendency was detected in case of the non-specific LSTs, although these started some weeks later showing significant differences by the fifth week. Higher doses of MOS had no further beneficial effect on systemic immunity. In addition, 1 g/kg MOS supplementation group also showed some advantage in local immune responsiveness. Therefore, based on the studied immune variables, 1 g/kg MOS product is suggested in the diet of weaned piglets. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||