Oxytocin Secretion and Management of Parturition in the Pig

This paper will examine the augmentation of oxytocin (OT) secretion in the final day before parturition in the pig, and review the key endocrine systems of influence. Recent experiments have shown that increases in plasma OT above baseline secretion were not seen until 7 hours prior to the birth of the first piglet. Progesterone release begins to decline some days before birth and is unlikely to provide such acute control of OT release immediately before birth. The involvement of relaxin is complex but it is possible that the prepartum relaxin surge, which ends close to the OT rise, attenuates OT secretion to prevent excessive myometrial activity until cervical softening has occurred. Increasing myometrial electromyographic activity appears to be seen as relaxin concentrations decline and OT increase. Endogenous opioid peptides within the hypothalamus exert a profound influence upon OT secretion during birth, and some effects are also seen prepartum. It has been proposed that this system may allow parturition to be interrupted or slowed in response to changes in environment. The therapeutic choice of exogenous injections of OT to control the onset time of parturition will be discussed in the light of current physiological knowledge.     

仔猪初生重对育肥期生长性状及采食性状的影响

本试验旨在研究杜洛克种公猪初生重对其育肥期生长性状和采食性状的影响。选取230头杜洛克仔猪,按初生重分为高初生重组和低初生重组,在同一饲养标准下饲养至(100±5)kg体重,记录生长性状和采食性状表型数据,用于后续分析。结果表明:高初生重组的30～100 kg日增重、达到100 kg体重时眼肌面积、瘦肉率、体长、体高和管围等生长性状均显著高于低初生重组(P<0.05);而低初生重组的体重达100 kg所用时间显著长于高初生重组(P<0.01);而高初生重组的100 kg体重背膘厚和100 kg体重肌内脂肪含量与低初生重组无显著差异(P>0.05);高、低初生重组的平均日采食量、日采食时间、日采食次数、平均每次采食时间、平均每次采食量和平均采食速率等采食性状无显著差异(P>0.05);低初生重组在30～100 kg的耗料增重比极显著高于高初生重组(P<0.01)。高初生重的杜洛克仔猪相较于低初生重仔猪在育肥期表现出更快的生长速度和更低的耗料增重比,且体尺特征更加优秀。     

N-氨甲酰谷氨酸在调控仔猪初生重中的应用及其作用机理

N-氨甲酰谷氨酸(NCG)是一种新型的饲料添加剂,可显著提升母猪的繁殖性能。近期研究表明,NCG对仔猪初生重也存在积极的调控作用。本文综述了近年来营养因子对仔猪初生重及窝内体重变异调控的研究进展,重点对NCG调控仔猪初生重及变异的应用效果和分子机理进行了挖掘和分析,以期为生猪生产中仔猪初生重及其变异的调控提供理论和实践依据。     

Changes in fetal and maternal blood at the end of pregnancy and during parturition in the pig

Fetal and maternal blood gas tensions, pH, packed cell volume and glucose, fructose and lactic acid concentrations were monitored during the last two days of gestation, during parturition and and the first hour after birth. Blood samples were taken by means of indwelling catheters (implanted seven to 14 days before parturition) from 12 fetuses in seven sows. All fetuses were liveborn at a mean gestational age of 113.1 days. The significant finding was that all variables in fetal blood were stable during labour and, although mild hypercapnia was present during the last three hours, no significant changes in mean values were seen until those of samples taken within 15 minutes of birth. In some fetuses, no changes were seen until after birth, while in others pH and pO2 values declined during the last hour of fetal life. Immediately after birth a rapid increase in pO2 and decrease in pCO2 followed the onset of respiration. Blood pH fell during the first 30 minutes after birth and this fall was accompanied by increasing blood lactic acid concentrations. Blood glucose concentrations rose rapidly in the first 15 minutes after birth and were maintained during the first hour despite separation of the piglets from the sow. There was a transient, but significant, increase in packed cell volume during the period from 15 minutes before to 15 minutes after birth. Maternal values for all variables measured remained virtually unchanged during delivery.     

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。     

Growth and lambing performance of ewes from crosses between the Dorset horn,Merino and Corriedale

The importance of various genetic and environmental effects on birth weight, maiden pre-joining weight, mature weight, maturation rate, and number and weight of lambs weaned over three lambing periods is investigated. Year of birth effects were important for all traits except mature weight. Single born lambs were 21 % heavier at birth and matured 15% faster but were not heavier at maturity than multiples. Reproductive rate effects on attributes of growth at first and second, but not third, joining were significant for mature weight and maturation rate. Breed of sire and breed of dam effects were significant for most traits and their interaction was significant for all traits except maturation rate. Direct genetic effects were important for most traits, more so for mature weight than maturation rate. Maternal effects were less important than direct effects but were still significant for all growth traits. Individual heterosis was positive for mature weight (10%) but negligible for maturation rate. It is suggested that this will hold in general and that maternal heterosis will be positive for maturation rate but negligible for mature weight.     

Maternal and neonatal behavior

Maternal and neonatal behavior differs among food-producing mammals, and our management must reflect these differences. Sows will show more elaborate preparturient behavior than the other species as they attempt to build a nest that will last for several days. Because the nest is the focal point of maternal behavior for several days, the sow does not need to recognize her piglets until they are about 1 week of age. Although this facilitates the fostering of piglets between litters, the teat order developed by piglets during the first day or two makes it difficult for alien piglets to suckle when first fostered. Piglets are weaned at a relatively early age, and this results in conflict as neonatal behavior persists in an environment that requires better developed feeding patterns. Restrictions placed on ewes and cows by confinement at the time of parturition may result in their being unable to select an appropriate birth site. Our management must accommodate these needs by providing sites that are protected from the harsh environment and also allow separation from the rest of the flock. This is particularly important for ewes bearing multiple young, for lambs frequently become separated from the ewe while she is caring for another lamb. Both cows and ewes must be allowed to bond to their offspring soon after birth if they are to provide adequate maternal care. Fostering in these species involves manipulation of identifying stimuli to overcome the dam's ability to recognize her own young shortly after birth. Suckling problems, due to pendulous udders on cows and multiple lambs in sheep, may require attention by the stockman shortly after birth. Weaning does not result in major behavioral problems in sheep or beef cattle that are weaned after the young are consuming solid feed on a regular basis. Dairy calves, which are initially weaned onto milk replacer at a very early age, may develop inappropriate sucking behaviors that persist beyond weaning onto a solid diet. Despite our growing knowledge of maternal and neonatal behavior, mortality among piglets, lambs, and calves is still high. However, many of the most recent findings have yet to be incorporated into management procedures or standard practice. As this occurs, we should be able to reduce losses of young animals.     

Blood pH, plasma carotene, vitamin A, albumin and globulin concentrations in newborn calves and in dams during the first three days of the postnatal period.

Blood pH, total plasma carotene, plasma vitamin A fractions and some plasma proteins were determined in newborn calves (n = 38) and their dams. Calves were assigned to one of two groups according to their blood pH immediately after birth: group 1 (normal) with pH above 7.2 (n = 27) and group 2 (slightly acidotic) with pH 7.0 to 7.2 (n = 11). The difference between the neonatal blood pH values of the two groups immediately post partum disappeared 24 h after birth. The blood pH of the dams was normal. The extremely low plasma carotene concentration (group 1: 32.7 micrograms/l; group 2:20.5 micrograms/l) and the low plasma globulin fractions (group 1:19.6 g/l; group 2:19.2 g/l) immediately after birth were elevated by the intake of colostrum. There was no significant change in plasma vitamin A fractions (retinol, retinyl ester) during the early postnatal period (3 days post partum) in newborn calves. The acid-base balance of newborn calves does not have any influence on the physiological alterations of plasma vitamin A, carotene and some plasma proteins during the first three days of life.     

Lipid peroxides and antioxidants in serum of neonatal calves

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between oxidative stress and antioxidants in neonatal calves after birth. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sera from 6 healthy Holstein-Friesian cows and 7 of their newborn calves were obtained at various intervals after birth. PROCEDURE: Lipid peroxides in serum of cows and their newborn calves were estimated by measuring concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The antioxidative activities of neonatal sera were evaluated by measuring their superoxide-scavenging activities, ferroxidase activities, and the concentration of bilirubin-associated albumin. RESULTS: Concentration of TBARS in neonatal sera within 1 day after birth was significantly higher than concentrations > or = 2 days after birth and concentrations in serum of the dams. In contrast, antioxidative activities of neonatal sera, evaluated on the basis of superoxide-scavenging activities, ferroxidase activities, and concentration of bilirubin-associated albumin 3 hours after birth, were significantly lower than antioxidative activities in sera of the dams. CONCLUSIONS: Susceptibility of calves to oxidative stress during the neonatal period may be explained by the immature defense system against superoxide radicals.     

Hemostasis development in the lamb fetus and neonate

Fetal and neonatal lamb hemostasis were studied from the 60th day of pregnancy to birth. Platelet counts and blood coagulation, as assessed by tests such as recalcification time and thromboelastography, were similar in fetuses, neonates, and adult sheep. The values of coagulation factors were low, ie, vitamin K-dependent Factors II, VII, IX, and X remained unchanged (30 and 40% of adult reference values) until the last 10 days of gestation, and then increased until birth (40 to 60%). Values of fibrinogen and Factor V followed a similar pattern, although their activities became identical to adult values at birth. Also, we measured values of protein C and antithrombin III, which are synthesized by the liver. The importance of hepatic failure and fetal vitamin K deficiency were discussed. Factors VIII and XII activities increased gradually during pregnancy to reach adult values at birth. Fetal fibrinolytic activity increased. This could not be explained by the values of tissue-type plasminogen activator (it was not detectable) or by the presence of its fast-acting inhibitor, whose concentration did not decrease.     

Mast cell and eosinophils in the wall of the gut and eosinophils in the blood stream during Toxocara vitulorum infection of the water buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Toxocara vitulorum is a pathogenic nematode from the small intestine of very young buffalo calves. To understand the development of the inflammatory responses in the wall of the gut, samples of tissues were removed from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of buffalo calves naturally infected with T. vitulorum during the beginning of the infection, at the peak of egg output, as well as during the periods of rejection of the worms and post-rejection. Two additional control groups of uninfected calves (by anti-helminthic therapy of their mothers and after the birth) were also necropsied on days 30 and 50 after birth. Blood samples were fortnightly collected from birth to 174 days post-birth. Blood smears were prepared and stained with Giemsa for eosinophils. The parasitological status of buffalo calves was evaluated through weekly fecal egg counts (EPG) from 1 to 106 days after birth, which revealed that T. vitulorum egg shedding started on day 11, reached the peak of the infection on day 49 and finally expelled the parasites between days 50 and 85 after birth. In the infected buffalo calves, the mast cell population increased significantly, by two-fold in the mucosa (villus-crypt unit (VCU)) of the duodenum and four-fold in the proximal jejunum; but these increases were statistically significant only at the peak of the infection. Although mast cell numbers increased in the mucosa of the ileum as well as in both the submucosal and muscle tissues of the duodenum, proximal jejunum and ileum, the data was not significantly different from the controls. Eosinophil numbers increased in the mucosa of the duodenum (two-five times higher than the control) and proximal jejunum (three-five-fold) during the period of the infection (beginning, peak and rejection). The relative numbers of eosinophils increased in the blood stream from the second to the seventh week. In conclusion, T. vitulorum infection elicited mastocytosis and tissue eosinophilia in the duodenum and proximal jejunum, as well as eosinophilia in the blood stream, during the beginning, at the peak and during the rejection of the worm. After the rejection of the worms, the numbers of these cells returned to normal levels suggesting that these cells may have a role in the process of rejection of T. vitulorum by the host.     

Observations on the Life Histories and Behaviour of some Small Rodents from Tanzania

A total of 730 punctated grass-mice was dissected to study their biology. Breeding occurred during the rains and ceased during the dry seasons, and the mean number of embryos per female reached a maximum towards the end of the breeding season. The testes and vesiculaeseminales of adult males regressed during the dry seasons and some appeared to be sexually quiescent. A small proportion of young of both sexes matured and bred in the same breeding season as that of their birth. Most adults appeared to die immediately following the breeding seasons, and thus there was almost a complete turnover of the population twice a year.     

The effect of an oral zinc substitution on some biochemical blood serum parameters in pregnant sheep and their lambs as well as on the birth weights of the lambs]

The aims of this study were to demonstrate the effects of zinc sulphate administration (2 g/week p.o., 2% solution) on zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium levels in blood serum of 20 pregnant Ivesi sheep during the last 2 month of pregnancy, immediately post partum as well as in their newborn lambs. In these 20 lambs, also total serum protein, gamma globulin and birth weight were determined. The control group consisted of 15 pregnant sheep and their 15 lambs housed under the same conditions. Zinc sulphate administered to sheep caused significant increases in their serum levels of zinc as well as in those of their lambs. The lambs of the zinc supplemented group had also slightly higher birth weights (not significant) and significant higher gamma globulin levels, whereas the total protein values was almost identical in both groups.     

Dimensions and histologic characteristics of the small intestine of dogs during postnatal development

OBJECTIVE: To quantify dimensions of the small intestine of dogs and describe changes in histologic characteristics of the mucosa during postnatal development. SAMPLE POPULATION: Gastrointestinal tract tissues obtained from 110 Beagles (15 adult females and 95 puppies of both sexes). PROCEDURE: Several variables (length, total weight, mucosal weight, and nominal surface area) of the small intestine were measured in puppies at birth but before suckling; 1 day after birth and subsequent suckling, 21, 42, and 63 days after birth, and in the adult dams of the puppies. Tissue structure was examined and quantified at each time point by use of routine histologic examination and ocular micrometry of formalin-fixed specimens stained with H&E. RESULTS: Small intestinal dimensions increased throughout development with the greatest proportional changes during the first day after birth and onset of suckling. Villus height decreased during suckling but had consistent values from 42 days after birth to maturity, whereas crypt depth increased from birth to maturity. Vacuolated enterocytes were evident from birth to 21 days but not thereafter. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in intestinal dimensions provide growing dogs with a greater capacity for digestion and absorption. Changes in mucosal architecture and cell populations coincided with shifts in dietary inputs. These findings may assist in the diagnosis of small intestinal diseases and nutritional responses during growth and development of dogs.     

Effect of nutrient intake during pregnancy on fetal and placental growth and vascular development

Remarkable diversity of size and health of offspring exists after normal pregnancies. When pregnancies are complicated by an extrinsic variable such as inappropriate maternal nutrition, birth weight and health of the neonate are substantially affected. The placenta is the organ through which respiratory gases, nutrients, and wastes are exchanged between the maternal and fetal systems. Thus, transplacental exchange provides for all the metabolic demands of fetal growth. Transplacental exchange is dependent upon uterine and umbilical blood flow, and blood flow rates are in turn dependent in large part upon vascularization of the placenta. Therefore, factors that influence placental vascular development will have a dramatic impact on fetal growth and development, and thereby on neonatal mortality and morbidity. Recent work from our laboratories has focused on the effects of nutrient intake during pregnancy on placental growth and vascular development. Both nutrient restriction of the adult dam and overnourishment of the adolescent dam during pregnancy suppress placental cell proliferation and vascularity. Furthermore, placental expression of angiogenic factors and their receptors, factors that are known to affect vascular growth, are perturbed by level of nutrition. Studies in this area will lead to improved methods to manage nutritionally-compromised pregnancies.     

Perinatal development of lymphoid tissue and its associated epithelium in the ovine pharyngeal tonsil: a morphological study

The perinatal development of lymphoid tissue and its associated epithelium in the pharyngeal tonsil of sheep was investigated by light and electron microscopy. The lymphoid cells first appeared in the subepithelium in a scattered form at about 92 days gestation. These cells proliferated rapidly during the last trimester of gestation, and had formed many dense aggregates at the time of parturition. At birth, the epithelium overlying the aggregates was extensively infiltrated with lymphocytes and showed early transformation of follicle-associated epithelium. The lymphoid tissue and its associated epithelium did not, however, fully develop until after birth, when well-differentiated follicle-associated epithelium and lymphoid follicles with vigorous lymphopoiesis were present. In 1-2 week old lambs, these structures were ultrastructurally similar to those seen in adult sheep although their size was smaller. The results of this study suggest that the lymphoid tissue of the ovine pharyngeal tonsil and its associated epithelium are morphologically ready to cope with antigens in the extra-uterine environment at birth, but that their full development and maturation are dependent postnatal antigen stimulation.     

Comparison between pre- and postnatal acid-base status of calves and their perinatal mortality

The acid-base status of 58 calves (all in normal anterior presentation) was determined from venous blood samples before the onset of traction and immediately after vaginal delivery. Calves were assigned to one of three groups according to their blood pH value: group 1 - normal, pH greater than 7.2; group 2 - acidotic, pH 7.2 to 7.0; group 3 - severely acidotic, pH less than 7.0. Before the onset of traction (i.e. during the 30 minutes following the appearance and rupture of the membranes), 43 calves (74.1%) had normal acid-base values, 14 (24.1%) had slight acidosis, and only 1 (1.7%) had severe acidosis. At birth the three groups of calves showed the following distribution: 23 (39.7%) were normal, 29 (50%) had slight acidosis, and 6 (10.3%) had severe acidosis. Seven calves (12.1%) died during birth or within 48 hours after birth; 2 were normal shortly before birth, 4 were acidotic shortly before birth, and 1 was severely acidotic even before the onset of traction. Traction was significantly longer for cows that delivered severely acidotic calves compared to cows in the other two groups.     

Perinatal development of lymphoid tissue and its associated epithelium in the ovine pharyngeal tonsil: A morphological study

The perinatal development of lymphoid tissue and its associated epithelium in the pharyngeal tonsil of sheep was investigated by light and electron microscopy. The lymphoid cells first appeared in the subepithelium in a scattered form at about 92 days gestation. These cells proliferated rapidly during the last trimester of gestation, and had formed many dense aggregates at the time of parturition. At birth, the epithelium overlying the aggregates was extensively infiltrated with lymphocytes and showed early transformation of follicle-associated epithelium. The lymphoid tissue and its associated epithelium did not, however., fully develop until after birth, when well-differentiated follicle-associated epithelium and lymphoid follicles with vigorous lymphopoiesis were present. In l–2 week old lambs, these structures were ultrastructurally similar to those seen in adult sheep although their size was smaller. The results of this study suggest that the lymphoid tissue of the ovine pharyngeal tonsil and its associated epithelium are morphologically ready to cope with antigens in the extra-uterine environment at birth, but that their full development and maturation are dependent on postnatal antigen stimulation.     

Making the most of colostrum at lambing

Lambs require between 180 and 210 ml colostrum/kg bodyweight during the first 18 hours after birth in order to provide sufficient fuel for heat production. Colostrum intakes of this order would usually provide enough immunoglobulins for protection against infections. Ewes which are well fed during late pregnancy produce more colostrum than their lambs need, those with singletons having enough for a second lamb, but in most underfed ewes the lamb's requirements for colostrum exceed the ewe's production. Colostrum can be readily obtained and stored for subsequent use. The yields are increased markedly when hand milking is preceded by an oxytocin injection, the intravenous dose being 5 iu and the suggested intramuscular dose being 10 to 15 iu. There is little practical benefit in milking ewes more than three times during the first 18 hours after birth.     

Calf foetal and early life nutrition on grazing conditions: metabolic and endocrine profiles and body composition during the growing phase

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutrition during foetal and lactation periods on calf growth and body composition, and their association with changes in metabolic and endocrine profiles during the calf first year of life on purebred (Hereford and Angus) and cross‐bred (F1) dam offspring. Forty cross‐bred calves and their dams (purebred – PU: Hereford and Angus, and cross‐bred – CR: F1) were used in a randomized block design with a factorial arrangement of herbage allowance of native pastures (high: Hi‐HA and low: Lo‐HA), 4 vs. 2.5 kg dry matter/kg body weight (BW) and dam genotype (PU vs. CR). Calf BW and blood samples were collected monthly from birth to 380 ± 15 days of age, and body composition was estimated by the urea dilution technique at weaning (142 ± 15 days) and 380 days. Calf birthweight did not differ among groups but from birth to 380 days, and BW was reduced (p = 0.046) in Lo‐PU offspring. Although Lo‐CR calves achieved similar BW than Hi‐PU and Hi‐CR offspring, they showed an increased fat in detriment of lean tissue deposition. At birth, plasma total protein was less (p = 0.04), while plasma glucose, insulin or IGF‐I tended or were greater (p < 0.072) in Hi‐HA than Lo‐HA calves. Greater (p < 0.03) plasma total protein and/or glucose concentrations during the first months of lactation were observed in CR offspring associated with the greater dam milk production. Although glucose concentrations did not differ among calf groups after weaning, plasma insulin was greater (p = 0.004) in Hi‐PU than other groups at 380 days. Consistent with the reduced BW, Lo‐PU offspring presented the lowest (p = 0.026) plasma IGF‐I from birth to 380 days. Herbage allowance of native grasslands during calf foetal and lactation periods interacted with maternal heterosis to affect, in the short and/or long term, calf BW or body composition, and metabolic and endocrine profiles.