胎儿宫内发育迟缓对新生仔猪小肠组织发育的影响

为研究胎儿宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)对新生仔猪肠道生长发育的影响,比较了初生组(D0)、母乳饲喂3 d组(D3)和母乳饲喂7 d组(D7)3组中正常仔猪和宫内发育迟缓仔猪的小肠长度和重量、组织形态学结构及黏膜DNA、RNA和蛋白质含量。结果显示,初生时,新生正常仔猪小肠总重和黏膜重、RNA和蛋白质含量显著高于IUGR仔猪(P<0.05)。新生IUGR仔猪小肠的肠壁厚度、绒毛高度显著低于正常仔猪(P<0.05);而IUGR仔猪相对于体重的小肠长度极显著高于正常仔猪(P<0.01)。生长至3日龄时,正常猪小肠长度、小肠黏膜重显著高于IUGR猪(P<0.05),小肠总重、肌肉重极显著高于IUGR猪(P<0.01);IUGR仔猪小肠的肠壁厚度、绒毛高度显著低于正常仔猪(P<0.05),而IUGR仔猪相对于体重的小肠长度显著高于正常仔猪(P<0.05)。7日龄时,正常猪的小肠黏膜RNA含量显著高于IUGR猪(P<0.05),其余指标没有显著差别。整个试验结果表明宫内发育迟缓对仔猪小肠组织发育造成不利影响,导致新生仔猪小肠黏膜重量、蛋白质含量、肠壁厚度和绒毛高度的降低;IUGR仔猪的小肠组织生长在出生后1周内能部分实现补偿,而且补偿生长的实现是随着日龄增加逐步完全的。     

口饲胰岛素对新生仔猪血浆胰岛素水平及糖代谢的影响

分别给新生正常和子宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)仔猪口饲胰岛素,研究仔猪血浆中胰 岛素水平的变化,以及外源性胰岛素对新生仔猪体内糖代谢的影响。结果证实:人工饲喂3 d 后,血浆中胰岛素浓度极显著提高(P<0．01);肝糖原含量极显著降低(P<0．01);血浆中胰岛 素水平,正常仔猪Ⅰ组显著高于M组(P<0．05);LDH活性,M组和Ⅰ组显著高于N组(P< 0．05),Ⅰ组低于M组(P>0．05);MDH活性和血浆中葡萄糖浓度没有显著变化(P>0．05)。上 述结果证明:仔猪出生0-3 d,糖代谢发生剧烈变化,口饲胰岛素使正常仔猪血浆中胰岛素水 平显著提高,但对仔猪糖代谢影响不显著。     

口饲胰岛素对新生仔猪血浆胰岛素水平及糖代谢的影响

分别给新生正常和子宫内发育迟缓（IUGR）仔猪口饲胰岛素,研究仔猪血浆中胰岛素水平的变化,以及外源性胰岛素对新生仔猪体内糖代谢的影响。结果证实：人工饲喂3d后,血浆中胰岛素浓度极显著提高（P〈0．01）;肝糖原含量极显著降低（P〈0．01）;血浆中胰岛素水平,正常仔猪Ⅰ组显著高于M组（P〈0．05）;LDH活性,M组和Ⅰ组显著高于N组（P〈0．05）,Ⅰ组低于M组（P〉0．05）;MDH活性和血浆中葡萄糖浓度没有显著变化（P〉0．05）。上述结果证明：仔猪出生0～3d,糖代谢发生剧烈变化,口饲胰岛素使正常仔猪血浆中胰岛素水平显著提高,但对仔猪糖代谢影响不显著。     

添加胰岛素对胎儿宫内发育迟缓新生仔猪胰腺生长发育的影响

(目的和方法)为研究添加胰岛素对IUGR新生仔猪胰腺重量、酶活性的影响,试验选择初生IUGR仔猪15头,分为新生对照组(N)、牛乳组(M)和试验组即牛乳添加胰岛素(60 IU/L)组(I),人工饲喂3 d后宰杀取样。(结果)结果显示,与N组相比,饲喂3 d后,M组和I组仔猪胰腺重量、胰腺重/体重、蛋白质含量、DNA含量、RNA含量、胰淀粉酶活性、胰脂肪酶总活性、胰高血糖素总含量均不同程度提高,而胰总蛋白水解酶活性、胰蛋白酶活性、胰糜蛋白酶总活性、胰腺胰岛素总含量均不同程度降低,变化较明显。与M组相比,I组胰腺蛋白质含量、蛋白质/DNA比值分别提高了61.43%、60.54%(P0.01);I组胰总蛋白水解酶活性、胰淀粉酶活性、胰脂肪酶总活性、胰腺胰岛素总含量、胰高血糖素含量分别提高了10.59%、10.40%、9.37%、14.30%、12.30%(P0.05);胰腺重、胰腺重/体重、胰腺DNA含量、RNA含量、RNA/DNA比值也不同程度提高(P0.05);而I组与M组间胰蛋白酶活性、胰糜蛋白酶活性差异不显著。(结论)表明IUGR仔猪生后胰腺生长发育较迅速,添加胰岛素能在一定程度上刺激IUGR仔猪胰腺细胞增殖和增大,能显著促进IUGR仔猪胰腺蛋白质合成和沉积,有刺激胰腺内外分泌部发育、提高胰腺酶活性提高、刺激组织激素分泌的趋势,对IUGR仔猪出生后胰腺的生长具有一定的补偿作用。     

梅山猪和杜长大新生仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能差异比较

本试验旨在比较不同品种新生仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的差异。选取同胎次新生梅山仔猪和杜长大仔猪各6头,不喂食母乳,出生6 h内颈动脉放血致死,屠宰取其样品。结果表明:1)新生梅山仔猪血清中甘油三酯(TG)含量极显著高于新生杜长大仔猪(P0.01),2组新生仔猪血清中总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)含量均没有显著差异(P0.05)。2)新生杜长大仔猪肝脏指数极显著高于新生梅山仔猪(P0.01),肝脏细胞面积及粒径均显著低于新生梅山仔猪(P0.05)。3)新生梅山仔猪肝脏中TC、TG、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)含量均极显著高于新生杜长大仔猪(P0.01),肝脏中脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性显著低于新生杜长大仔猪(P0.05)。4)新生梅山仔猪肝脏中LPL mRNA表达水平极显著低于新生杜长大仔猪(P0.01),脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)mRNA表达水平极显著高于新生杜长大仔猪(P0.01)。综上所述,新生梅山仔猪肝脏脂质合成代谢功能强于新生杜长大仔猪,这与两者肝脏脂质合成及分解代谢基因表达差异有关。     

铁过量或缺乏对新生仔猪血清生化指标及肝脏hepcidin mRNA表达量的影响

本试验旨在研究铁过量或缺乏对新生仔猪血清生化指标及肝脏hepcidin mRNA表达量的影响.挑选新出生的“杜长大”三元杂交仔猪15头[平均体重为(1.22±0.13)kg],随机分为3组,即缺铁组、正常组和铁过量组,每组5个重复,每个重复1头猪.3和7日龄时,缺铁组分别注射1 mL生理盐水,正常组分别注射1 mL右旋糖酐铁(含铁150 mg),铁过量组分别注射3 mL右旋糖酐铁(含铁450 mg).7日龄时,将所有仔猪全部处死,采集血清,并分离肝脏和脾脏,以测定血清生化指标、机体铁含量和肝脏hepcidin mRNA表达量.结果表明:肝脏、脾脏和血清中铁的含量均随着注射铁量的增加而显著或极显著增加(P ＜0.05或P＜0.01).与正常组相比,铁过量组血清中血红蛋白、球蛋白、总蛋白、丙二醛含量以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、过氧化物酶活性显著或极显著升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),超氧化物歧化酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05);而缺铁组血清中血红蛋白、球蛋白、总蛋白、丙二醛含量以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶活性则显著或极显著降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),超氧化物歧化酶活性显著升高(P＜0.05).与正常组相比,铁过量组仔猪肝脏中hepcidin mRNA表达量极显著升高(P＜0.01),而缺铁组则极显著降低(P＜0.01).由此得出,铁过量或缺乏均会影响新生仔猪机体的免疫功能和抗氧化功能;铁过量可提高新生仔猪机体铁含量和肝脏中hepcidin mRNA表达量,铁缺乏则会降低新生仔猪机体铁含量和肝脏中hepcidin mRNA表达量.     

宫内发育迟缓对哺乳仔猪生长性能和肝脏氧化及抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)对哺乳仔猪生长性能和肝脏氧化及抗氧化指标的影响.试验选择10头胎次和体况接近的妊娠母猪,分娩后,分别从每头母猪所产仔猪中挑选1头正常初生重(NBW)新生仔猪和1头IUGR新生仔猪,即10头NBW新生仔猪和10头IUGR新生仔猪,分别为NBW组与IUGR组.记录各阶段仔猪的体重,分别测定7、23日龄时仔猪肝脏氧化及抗氧化指标.结果表明:7、14和23日龄时,IUGR组仔猪体重均显著低于NBW组(P＜0.05);1～7日龄时,IUGR组仔猪平均日增重(ADG)较NBW组有降低趋势(P=0.075),8～14日龄与15～23日龄时,IUGR组仔猪ADG较NBW组显著降低(P＜0.05);7日龄时,与NBW组相比,IUGR组仔猪肝脏过氧化氢酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05),总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P=0.099)及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性(P=0.076)有降低的趋势;23日龄时,与NBW组相比,IUGR组仔猪肝脏中T-AOC、SOD的活性显著降低(P＜0.05),清除1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基(DPPH·)的能力有降低趋势(P=0.098),肝脏丙二醛含量显著升高(P＜0.05).综上,与NBW猪相比,IUGR会导致仔猪哺乳期生长速度缓慢,7、23日龄时肝脏的抗氧化能力降低.     

酪蛋白酶解物对胎儿宫内发育迟缓新生仔猪胰腺生长发育的影响

为研究酪蛋白酶解物对胎儿宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)新生仔猪胰腺生长发育的影响,试验选择初生IUGR仔猪15头,分为新生组(N)、酪蛋白组(C)和酪蛋白酶解物组(CH),人工饲喂3d后宰杀取样。结果显示,人工饲喂3d后,IUGR仔猪胰腺重量、胰腺重/体重和胰腺蛋白质、DNA、RNA、胰高血糖素的含量以及胰淀粉酶、胰脂肪酶总活性均较新生组极显著提高(P<0.01),而胰总蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶总活性均显著下降(P<0.05),胰糜蛋白酶总活性也呈下降趋势;CH组胰糜蛋白酶总活性比C组高50.00%(P<0.01),CH组胰腺组织蛋白质、DNA含量及胰总蛋白酶、胰淀粉酶总活性也较C组不同程度提高(P>0.05)。表明IUGR仔猪生后胰腺生长发育十分迅速,酪蛋白酶解物有刺激新生IUGR仔猪胰腺胰糜蛋白酶活性提高的趋势。     

猪的消化生理特点与营养需求

1消化生理特点 猪出生后,在吸氧、肠道营养、激素特别是皮质（甾）醇等因素的刺激下,肠道迅速成熟。新生仔猪肠道功能紊乱、小肠结肠炎的发生与缺氧有关。出生后动脉血液中氧的迅速增加是刺激肠道发育的关键因子。仔猪腹泻最初可能是由于分娩过程过长或先天性肺部感染导致。     

添加胰岛素对胎儿宫内发育迟缓新生仔猪胃生长发育的影响

为研究添加胰岛素对IUGR新生仔猪胃生长发育的影响,试验选择初生IUGR仔猪共15头,分为新生对照组(N)、牛乳组(M)和试验组即牛乳添加胰岛素(60IU/L)组(I),人工饲喂3天后宰杀取样。结果显示,与N组相比,饲喂3天后,M组和I组仔猪胃重量、胃重/体重、胃壁总厚度及各层厚度、蛋白质含量、DNA含量、RNA含量、胃蛋白酶总蛋白水解活性均不同程度提高,而胃酶总凝乳活性极显著降低;与M组相比,I组胃重/体重、胃壁总厚度及各层厚度均略高于M组(P0.05),胃黏膜损伤较轻,胃蛋白质含量提高了11.52%(P0.01),胃DNA、RNA含量以及蛋白质/DNA比值、胃酶总蛋白水解活性分别提高4.11%、7.73%、7.53%、7.24%(P0.05),胃酶总凝乳活性略低(P0.05)。表明IUGR仔猪生后胃生长发育较迅速,添加胰岛素能在一定程度上刺激IUGR仔猪胃细胞增殖和增大,能显著促进IUGR仔猪胃蛋白质合成,有提高胃酶总蛋白水解活性的趋势,对IUGR仔猪出生后胃的生长具有一定的补偿作用。     

幼龄仔猪PEDV感染肠道损伤模型的建立

试验旨在建立猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV）感染幼龄仔猪肠道损伤模型。试验选用16头7日龄健康幼龄仔猪（杜×长×大）,随机分为两个处理组：对照组和PEDV组,每个处理8个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期为10 d,试验期间两个处理组饲喂相同的基础日粮。于试验第7天晚上对PEDV组仔猪口腔灌服PEDV病毒（剂量为10^4.5 TCID₅₀）,对照组灌服等量的生理盐水。于试验第10天早上空腹灌服D-木糖（0.1 g/kg体重）,1 h后前腔静脉采血,屠宰取样,取十二指肠、空肠、回肠等组织样品,测定平均日增重（ADG）、腹泻率（DR）、肠道形态结构、肠道黏膜损伤相关基因mRNA水平。试验结果表明：①PEDV感染显著降低了仔猪ADG（P<0.05）,极显著提高了仔猪腹泻率（P<0.01）;②PEDV感染极显著降低了血浆D-木糖含量、空肠和回肠绒毛高度、十二指肠、空肠和回肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值（P<0.01）,显著提高了十二指肠和空肠隐窝深度（P<0.05）;③PEDV感染极显著提高了仔猪空肠黏膜PEDV M基因的相对表达量（P<0.01）,极显著降低了肠绒毛蛋白（villin）和肠型脂肪酸结合蛋白（i-FABP）基因的相对表达量（P<0.01）。以上结果表明,口腔灌服PEDV可以成功诱导建立幼龄仔猪肠道损伤模型。     

新生仔猪肝脏胰腺和胃发育的初步研究

试验研究了1～7日龄仔猪肝脏、胰腺和胃的生长发育。结果表明,自然哺乳仔猪3日龄的肝脏、胰腺和胃的绝对重量分别较初生时增加了94.09%P<0.01、101.53%P<0.01和74.25%P<0.01,而同期体重才增加了24.3%P<0.05,而4～7日龄其绝对重量的增加有所降低,分别为64.86%P<0.01、52.75%P<0.01和55.85%P<0.01,同期体重增加了63.8%P<0.01因此,1～3日龄肝、胰腺和胃的发育较4～7日龄的迅速。     

Repeated administrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone during gestation in gilts: Effects on growth, behaviour and immune responses of their piglets

This study investigated whether repeated administrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) during mid or late gestation, a treatment which induces endogenous cortisol release, affect growth performance, early vitality, open-field behaviour and immune responses of neonatal pigs. Administrations of ACTH (100 IU per animal, Synacthen^® Depot) were given intramuscularly to gilts every second day either during mid (Day 49 until 75, Experiment 1) or late gestation (Day 85 until 107, Experiment 2). Control gilts received repeated injections of saline. The repeated ACTH stimulation of gilts during late gestation significantly reduced their daily weight gain during this period, but not when applied during mid gestation. Gestation length, number of born piglets and vitality measures of the newborn piglets, such as the rectal temperatures after birth and times elapsed between birth and first udder contact or milk uptake were not affected by the prenatal treatments. Administration of ACTH during late but not during mid gestation significantly increased the birth weights of piglets, and this difference in postnatal body weight was detectable until an age of 21 days. In addition, only the stimulation with ACTH during late gestation had an immunosuppressive effect on the lymphocyte proliferation of piglets 1 day after birth in response to the T-cell mitogen ConA and, in tendency, on the proliferation in response to the B-cell mitogen LPS. Twenty-four day old piglets from gilts treated during late gestation showed significantly more escape behaviour in an open-field than piglets from control litters. In conclusion, elevated maternal glucocorticoid levels during critical periods of prenatal development in pigs may affect prenatal growth, cell-mediated immunity and emotional reactivity in the neonatal piglets. The occurrence of these effects depends on the timing of increased maternal cortisol levels during gestation.     

Contributions of the maternal uterine environment and piglet genotype on weaning survivability potential: I. Development of neonatal piglets after reciprocal embryo transfers between Meishan and White crossbred gilts

In commercial pigs, the greatest susceptibility for pre-weaning mortality occurs in low birth-weight piglets. Despite their overall decreased birth weight, Meishan (MS) piglets have decreased pre-weaning mortality rates compared with contemporary Western breeds. The objective of the current study was to determine the contributions of the maternal uterine environment, piglet genotype, and their interaction on the development of neonatal piglets pertaining to pre-weaning survivability using reciprocal embryo transfer between MS and White crossbred (WC) pigs. Twenty-five successful pregnancies were produced from 2 farrowing seasons, generating litters of maternal uterine environment (MUE) by piglet genotype (PigG) combinations; MS × MS (n = 4 litters), MS × WC (n = 7 litters), WC × MS (n = 7 litters), and WC × WC (n = 7 litters). At approximately 24 h of age (Day 1), piglets (n = 173) were weighed and a blood sample was taken. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, albumin, NEFA, lactate, and cortisol were measured in all blood samples. Representative piglets (n = 46) from each litter were harvested and body measurements (i.e., organ weights, tissue glycogen content, and body composition) were determined. Piglet data were analyzed by ANOVA using MIXED model procedures. Both MUE (P < 0.001) and PigG (P < 0.01) affected piglet BW, illustrating that piglets gestated in WC gilts were heavier than piglets gestated in MS gilts, and WC piglets were heavier than MS piglets. Serum albumin concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in MS piglets compared with WC piglets, indicating greater liver maturity. Significant MUE × PigG interactions were observed for hematocrit and hemoglobin, in which the greatest concentrations were observed in MS piglets gestated in MS and WC gilts, and the lowest concentrations were observed in WC piglets gestated in WC gilts, demonstrating increased oxygen-carrying capability. The percentage of fat and nitrogen, as well as the GE of the body, were greater (P < 0.05) in MS piglets, indicating greater energy stores. Liver, bicep femoris, and LM glycogen concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in WC piglets compared with MS piglets, demonstrating increased glycogen catabolism in MS piglets. This study demonstrated limited interactions between the maternal uterine environment and piglet genotype on weaning survivability potential, suggesting that the MS piglet is a viable model for pre-weaning survivability.     

胰岛素和酶解配方乳对初生仔猪胃肠道生长发育影响的研究

为研究胰岛素和酶解配方乳是否促进初生仔猪胃肠道的生长发育 ,本试验比较了饲喂配方乳、配方乳补加胰岛素(60mIU/ml)或酶解(胰蛋白酶和糜蛋白酶)配方乳3天后仔猪胃肠的重量 ,肠道长度 ,肠粘膜DNA、RNA和蛋白质含量 ,血浆中皮质醇、胰岛素和胃泌素的水平。饲喂配方乳补加胰岛素或酶解配方乳的仔猪与饲喂配方乳的仔猪相比 ,胃、小肠、结肠的重量 ,小肠和结肠的长度 ,小肠粘膜DNA、RNA含量和结肠粘膜DNA、RNA、蛋白质含量均无显著变化(P>0.05) ;血浆中皮质醇、胰岛素水平也无显著差异(P>0.05)。但饲喂配方乳补加胰岛素的仔猪小肠粘膜尤其是回肠后段粘膜的重量(P<0.05)和蛋白质含量(P<0.01)显著高于饲喂配方乳的仔猪 ;饲喂酶解配方乳仔猪血浆的胃泌素水平均显著(P<0.01)高于饲喂配方乳的仔猪 ,酶解配方乳中可能含有刺激初生仔猪胃泌素释放的物质     

哺乳期补饲精氨酸对断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的影响

本文旨在研究哺乳期补饲精氨酸对断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢功能的影响。试验成对选取7日龄体重相近40头哺乳仔猪,分为对照组(CON组)和精氨酸组(Arg组),每组20头猪(公母各占1/2)。7日龄起,在自然哺乳的同时,CON组仔猪每日灌服生理盐水40 mL,Arg组每日灌服精氨酸40 mL[250 mg/(kg·d]。在21日龄时,仔猪断奶并饲喂基础饲粮。每组在断奶当天(21日龄)和断奶后第3天(24日龄)每次随机挑选8头仔猪(公母各占1/2)屠宰并采取肝脏。结果表明:1)断奶后第3天,仔猪的体重与肝脏重均极显著低于断奶当天(P<0.01);与CON组相比,断奶后第3天,Arg组仔猪肝脏指数极显著提高(P<0.01)。2)与CON组相比,Arg组仔猪肝细胞粒径极显著提高(P<0.01),肝细胞面积显著提高(P<0.05)。3)断奶后第3天,仔猪肝脏中总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)含量极显著高于断奶当天(P<0.01);断奶当天,Arg组仔猪肝脏中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL⁃C)含量显著高于CON组(P<0.05),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL⁃C)含量极显著低于CON组(P<0.01)。4)与CON组相比,断奶当天,Arg组仔猪肝脏中脂蛋白脂肪酶(LPL)基因相对表达水平显著提高(P<0.05)。由此可得,哺乳期补饲精氨酸能够促进断奶仔猪肝脏发育,提高肝脏中HDL⁃C含量,降低肝脏中LDL⁃C含量,提高肝脏中LPL基因的表达水平,进而提高断奶仔猪肝脏脂代谢的功能。     

Growth and carcass quality of offspring in response to porcine somatotropin (pST) treatment of sows during early pregnancy

The effects of maternal treatment with porcine somatotropin (pST) during early gestation on offspring growth, carcass quality, and immunological characteristics were determined. Thirty-two sows received daily injections of either a placebo (n=16) or 6 mg of pST (n=16) from day 10 to 27 of gestation with gradual withdrawal until day 37. In neonatal piglets, a birth weight group (BWG) by treatment interaction (P<0.01) revealed decreases in the 25% heavy and 50% middle weight groups and an increase in the 25% low weight group within litters. Similar interactions were observed for muscle tissue (P=0.03) and, in opposite direction, for fat (P=0.05) percentages. The average percentage of muscle tissue was reduced (P=0.03) by pST treatment, whereas percentages of internal organs (P=0.05) and skin (P=0.04) were enhanced. The susceptibility of piglets to infections at 2 days after weaning (day 30 of age) was not altered by pST treatment. Carcasses of slaughter pigs (day 182 of age) from pST-treated sows tended to deposit less meat than controls (P=0.10) and to exhibit the same BWG by treatment interaction found at birth (P=0.08). Meat quality at slaughter was changed towards higher intramuscular fat content (P=0.01) and drip loss (P=0.01). The results suggest that pST treatment during early gestation results in more balanced litters, but, on average, is not of advantage for carcass quality.     

Effects of maternal streptozotocin-diabetes on fetal growth, energy reserves and body composition of newborn pigs

Two doses of Streptozotocin (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) were administered to two groups of pregnant gilts at d 80 of gestation to determine the influence of two levels of maternal diabetes on the gilts, their developing progenies and the body composition of the pigs. All the experimental animals received 1.82 kg of gestation diet/day throughout gestation. Serum glucose concentration increased to hyperglycemic levels in low-dose and high-dose groups; insulin concentrations decreased (P less than .01) in the high-dose, but not in the low-dose group (P greater than .05). Maternal free fatty acids (FFA) increased (P less than .05) in both treatment groups when compared with the control. However, birth weight of the litter and litter size were not affected. The liver weight increased (P less than .01) in the progeny of high-dose but not the low-dose group. Total liver DNA and RNA were not altered by the treatments, however; total liver protein and protein:DNA ratio increased (P less than .01) in the progeny of high-dose gilts. Pigs from high-dose and low-dose groups showed increases (P less than .01) in liver glycogen concentrations and percentage liver lipid. Body chemical composition data showed increases in percentage dry matter and percentage lipid (P less than .05 and P less than .01, respectively) in the progeny of high-dose but not in the low-dose group. It was concluded that streptozotocin administered to gestating gilts increased the maternal nutrient supply to the developing pigs, which resulted in higher energy status of the pigs at birth.     

Utilization of medium-chain triglycerides by neonatal piglets: I. Effects on milk consumption and body fuel utilization

Two experiments were conducted utilizing neonatal piglets. In the first experiment, 18 piglets were used to determine the effect of an oral supplement of 0, 12 or 24 ml of a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) product on subsequent milk consumption. Results from the weight-suckle-weight experiment showed that force-feeding 24 ml of the MCT decreased (P less than .05) milk intake but 12 ml did not. In the second experiment, two trials (each with 24 piglets) were used to investigate the effect of 12 ml of MCT or 12 ml of MCT plus .6 mmol of L-carnitine on the concentration of blood glucose, ammonium N and urea N at 0, 12 or 24 h and liver and biceps femoris glycogen at 24 h post-treatment. Blood urea N decreased (P less than .05) in piglets receiving the MCT. Blood ammonium N and glucose concentrations were not different (P greater than .10) among treatments. In Trial 1, the predicted loss of liver glycogen was less (P less than .05) in pigs given the MCT treatment, but this response was not repeated in the second trial. In general, supplemental carnitine provided no added benefit over the MCT treatment alone. The results from this study indicate that MCT is utilized as a fuel by the newborn piglet and that its use may spare critical fuels, glycogen and protein, that were stored in the piglet prior to birth.