Neonatal porcine endometrial development and epithelial proliferation affected by age and exposure to estrogen and relaxin

In the pig, temporospatially regulated proliferation of uterine luminal (LE) and glandular (GE) epithelium between birth (postnatal day=PND 0) and PND 15 is essential for success of endometrial development. Exposure of gilts to estrogen (E) or relaxin (RLX) during this period disrupts uterine development, and neonatal E exposure can compromise adult uterine function. Neonatal uterotrophic effects of E and RLX, administered for 2 days beginning on PND 12, can be inhibited with the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 (ICI) indicating crosstalk between RLX and E signaling systems. Here, objectives were to determine effects of: (study 1) neonatal age and (study 2) exposure to E, RLX, and ICI on porcine neonatal uterine histoarchitecture and patterns of epithelial cell proliferation as reflected by proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index. In study 1, uteri were obtained on PND 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15. Glandular epithelium, absent at birth, was observed by PND 3. Overall, epithelial labeling index increased from birth to PND 3, declined from PND 6-9 in LE and GE, and increased to PND 15 in GE. In study 2, uteri were collected on PND 14 after administration of vehicle, E, or RLX for 2 days, or following pretreatment with ICI. Alone, E was uterotrophic and adenogenic and increased labeling index in both LE and GE. Both RLX and ICI increased proliferation in GE. Effects of E and RLX were attenuated by ICI, providing further support for crosstalk between these signaling systems in the developing neonatal porcine endometrium.     

应用原位杂交技术研究母源抗体对PRRS病毒在体内增殖的影响

挑选母源抗体阳性及母源抗体阴性仔猪各2头,人工感染PRRSV,感染后不同时间采集扁桃体、胸腺、脑、肺脏、肩前淋巴结、脾脏、肝脏等组织做成多聚甲醛固定、石蜡包埋的组织切片。应用针对PRRS病毒（PRRSV）基因ORF6片段的特异性探针进行原位杂交检测,结果表明,2头母源抗体阴性猪的组织中均可检出病毒阳性信号,而2头母源抗体阳性猪仅可在少数组织中检出病毒阳性信号。以上结果表明,母源抗体会影响同种病毒在体内的增殖。     

Milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information on dairy breeds, milk production, dairy farmers’ knowledge and awareness of zoonoses with particular emphasis on milk-borne zoonoses and farmers’ behavioural practices that may lead to increased risk of milk-borne zoonoses transmission. A total of 119 dairy farmers were interviewed, and 41.5% were aware of milk-borne zoonoses with a significantly (P < 0.01) higher percentage of commercial dairy farmers (65.0%) being aware compared to smallholder dairy farmers (36.7%). The behavioural practices of dairy farmers observed to increase the risk of milk-borne zoonoses transmission were; consumption of raw milk (68.1%), sale of raw milk to the local public (25.2%), lack of cooling facilities by smallholder farmers (98%), and no routine testing (84.9%) and medical check-ups (89.1%) for milk-borne zoonoses. General hygienic and disease control practices need to be integrated in the milk production process particularly at the smallholder level. Awareness, teaching and training programmes for smallholder dairy farmers can improve disease control in animals and reduce the public health risk of milk-borne zoonoses.     

Risk behaviours for milk-borne diseases transmission along the milk chain in The Gambia and Senegal

The objective of this study was the characterisation of the traditional milk chain in Western Region (The Gambia) and Kolda (Southern Senegal); and the analysis of milk chain actors' risk behaviours for milk-borne diseases transmission. For this purpose, cattle herds involved in milk production, milk collectors, milk vendors and small-scale milk processing units were surveyed in the two study sites. A similar general milk chain organisation was found in the two sites with some particularities in farm management, compliance with hygienic measures at different levels, treatment of milk and milk consumption patterns. This results in a variable degree of risk of consumers' exposure to milk-borne diseases. Although the quality of the milk has been improved with the development of small-scale milk processing units, serious efforts are still needed with respect to pasteurisation procedure and to change the mindset of consumers who prefer in their majority drinking raw milk, fresh or soured, without any prior treatment.     

Gut health,stress, and immunity in neonatal dairy calves: the host side of host-pathogen interactions

The cumulative evidence that perinatal events have long-lasting ripple effects through the life of livestock animals should impact future nutritional and management recommendations at the farm level. The implications of fetal programming due to malnutrition, including neonatal survival and lower birth weights, have been characterized,particularly during early and mid-gestation, when placental and early fetal stages are being developed. The accelerated fetal growth during late pregnancy has been known for some time, while the impact of maternal stressors during this time on fetal development and by extent its postnatal repercussions on health and performance are still being defined.Maternal stressors during late pregnancy cannot only influence colostrogenesis but also compromise adequate intestinal development in the fetus, thus, that further limits the newborn's ability to absorb nutrients, bioactive compounds, and immunity(i.e., immunoglobulins, cytokines, and immune cells) from colostrum. These negative effects set the newborn calf to a challenging start in life by compromising passive immunity and intestinal maturation needed to establish a mature postnatal mucosal immune system while needing to digest and absorb nutrients in milk or milk replacer. Besides the dense-nutrient content and immunity in colostrum, it contains bioactive compounds such as growth factors, hormones, and cholesterol as well as molecular signals or instructions [e.g., microRNAs(miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)] transferred from mother to offspring with the aim to influence postnatal gut maturation. The recent change in paradigm regarding prenatal materno-fetal microbiota inoculation and likely the presence of microbiota in the developing fetus intestine needs to be addressed in future research in ruminants. There still much to know on what prenatal or postnatal factors may predispose neonates to become susceptible to enteropathogens(e.g., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli), causing diarrhea. From the host-side of this host-pathogen interaction, molecular data such as fecal RNA could, over time, help fill those gaps in knowledge. In addition, merging this novel fecal RNA approach with more established microbiome techniques can provide a more holistic picture of an enteropathogenesis and potentially uncover control points that can be addressed through management or nutrition at the farm level to minimize preweaning morbidity and mortality.     

Oxidative Stress in Neonatology. A Review

Free radicals are highly reactive oxidizing agents containing one or more unpaired electrons. Both in human and veterinary neonathology, it is generally accepted that oxidative stress functions as an important catalysator of neonatal disease. Soon after birth, many sudden physiological and environmental conditions make the newborn vulnerable for the negative effects of oxidative stress, which potentially can impair neonatal vitality. As a clinician, it is important to have in depth knowledge about factors affecting maternal/neonatal oxidative status and the cascades of events that enrol when the neonate is subjected to oxidative stress. This report aims at providing clinicians with an up‐to‐date review about oxidative stress in neonates across animal species. It will be emphasized which handlings and treatments that are applied during neonatal care or resuscitation can actually impose oxidative stress upon the neonate. Views and opinions about maternal and/or neonatal antioxydative therapy will be shared.     

Prenatal and neonatal exposure to the antiandrogen flutamide alters connexin 43 gene expression in adult porcine ovary

Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the predominant gap junction protein within porcine ovary and is required for proper follicle and corpus luteum (CL) development. Recent research suggests maternally or neonatally mediated effects of antiandrogens on reproductive function during adulthood, notably those dependent on gap junctional communication. The current study was conducted to determine whether late gestational or neonatal exposure to the antiandrogen flutamide influences Cx43 gene expression in the adult porcine ovary. Flutamide was injected into pregnant gilts between days 80 and 88 of gestation and into female piglets between days 2 and 10 posnatally. After animals reached sexual maturity, the ovaries were collected from treated and nontreated (control) pigs. Expression of Cx43 mRNA and protein was determined for preantral and antral follicles and for CLs. In addition, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) expression and progesterone concentration were determined for luteal tissues. In preantral follicles, Cx43 mRNA was down-regulated (P < 0.01) following maternal and neonatal flutamide exposure. In large antral follicles, Cx43 mRNA was up-regulated (P < 0.01) after neonatal flutamide administration. Immunofluorescence showed that Cx43 expression decreased (P < 0.001) in preantral follicles and increased (P < 0.001) in large antral follicles following flutamide exposure. In luteal tissues, Cx43 and 3β-HSD expression and progesterone concentration decreased (P < 0.01) after postnatal flutamide treatment. Overall, these results suggest the involvement of androgens in the regulation of Cx43 expression in pig ovary. Moreover, alteration of Cx43 expression by the administration of flutamide during particular prenatal and neonatal time periods may affect porcine follicle development, as well as CL formation and function.     

Maternal periconceptual nutrition,early pregnancy,and developmental outcomes in beef cattle

The focus of this review is maternal nutrition during the periconceptual period and offspring developmental outcomes in beef cattle, with an emphasis on the first 50 d of gestation, which represents the embryonic period. Animal agriculture in general, and specifically the beef cattle industry, currently faces immense challenges. The world needs to significantly increase its output of animal food products by 2050 and beyond to meet the food security and agricultural sustainability needs of the rapidly growing human population. Consequently, efficient and sustainable approaches to livestock production are essential. Maternal nutritional status is a major factor that leads to developmental programming of offspring outcomes. Developmental programming refers to the influence of pre-and postnatal factors, such as inappropriate maternal nutrition, that affect growth and development and result in long-term consequences for health and productivity of the offspring. In this review, we discuss recent studies in which we and others have addressed the questions, “Is development programmed periconceptually?” and, if so, “Does it matter practically to the offspring in production settings?” The reviewed studies have demonstrated that the periconceptual period is important not only for pregnancy establishment but also may be a critical period during which fetal, placental, and potentially postnatal development and function are programmed. The evidence for fetal and placental programming during the periconceptual period is strong and implies that research efforts to mitigate the negative and foster the positive benefits of developmental programming need to include robust investigative efforts during the periconceptual period to better understand the implications for life-long health and productivity.     

Effects of coumestrol administration to maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation on renal Ca metabolism in neonatal mice

The present study was conducted to clarify the effects of coumestrol administration to maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation on serum Ca and Ca metabolism in their neonatal mice. From 6.5 to 16.5 days post coitus and from 3 to 10 days after parturition, maternal mice were administered at 200 µg/kg body weight/day of coumestrol. Coumestrol administration did not affect weight gains, serum Ca and the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) protein in the kidney of neonatal mice, but weight gains of maternal mice were decreased by coumestrol administration. Coumestrol administration increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of epithelial Ca channels 1 (ECaC1) and VDR in the kidney of neonatal mice, and also increased the mRNA expressions of ECaC2 in the kidney and small intestine of male neonatal mice. The mRNA expressions of ECaC1, ECaC2, calbindin‐D_9k (CaBP‐9k) and estrogen receptor (ER)α in the kidney and VDR in the small intestine of male neonatal mice were higher than those of female mice. Thus, coumestrol administration to maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation may affect renal Ca metabolism in neonatal mice, especially male neonatal mice via maternal milk.     

哺乳动物胎盘营养感应研究进展

妊娠期间母体营养的改变会影响胎儿的生长发育,而胎盘是母体-胎儿间进行气体、营养和代谢物交流的重要枢纽,哺乳动物胎盘营养感应系统响应母体和胎儿营养信号的变化,保证母体健康和胎儿生长发育。鉴于胎盘营养感应系统对哺乳动物繁育的重要性,本文从胎盘营养感应和胎盘养分分配方面综述了哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)、磷酸腺苷活化蛋白激酶(AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK)、氨基己糖(Hexosamine)信号通路、糖原合成酶3(glycogen synthase kinase,GSK-3)、胰岛素/胰岛素样生长因子(insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway,IIS)等信号通路及其对妊娠期养分响应和对胎儿发育的影响,以期为哺乳动物的繁育提供参考依据。     

Physiological development of the equine fetus during late gestation

In many species, the pattern of growth and physiological development in utero has an important role in determining not only neonatal viability but also adult phenotype and disease susceptibility. Changes in fetal development induced by a range of environmental factors including maternal nutrition, disease, placental insufficiency and social stresses have all been shown to induce adult cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction that often lead to ill health in later life. Compared to other precocious animals, much less is known about the physiological development of the fetal horse or the longer-term impacts on its phenotype of altered development in early life because of its inaccessibility in utero, large size and long lifespan. This review summaries the available data on the normal metabolic, cardiovascular and endocrine development of the fetal horse during the second half of gestation. It also examines the responsiveness of these physiological systems to stresses such as hypoglycaemia and hypotension during late gestation. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the equine placenta and fetal endocrine glands in mediating the changes in fetal development seen towards term and in response to nutritional and other environmental cues. The final part of the review presents the evidence that the early life environment of the horse can alter its subsequent metabolic, cardiovascular and endocrine phenotype as well as its postnatal growth and bone development. It also highlights the immediate neonatal environment as a key window of susceptibility for programming of equine phenotype. Although further studies are needed to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved, developmental programming of physiological phenotype is likely to have important implications for the health and potential athletic performance of horses, particularly if born with abnormal bodyweight, premature or dysmature characteristics or produced by assisted reproductive technologies, indicative of an altered early life environment.     

饲养方式影响母猪母性行为的研究进展

哺乳动物的母性行为主要包括做窝行为、哺乳行为、护仔和抚育行为。在畜牧生产中,母性行为的好坏会影响母猪对仔猪的哺育和母仔之间的交流,对母猪的生理、心理健康和仔猪的生长发育都有直接影响,进而影响猪场的生产成绩和经济效益。随着现代集约化养猪的兴起,养猪业发展迅速,经济效益得到了提高。但是,现代集约化饲养对于母猪表达其母性行为,以及仔猪学习如何正常表达行为产生了诸多限制因素。综述了现代集约化饲养和开放式饲养模式对母猪母性行为的影响,以及给养猪生产带来的影响。     

母源性促仔猪生长发育生物活性因子的研究进展

母乳和羊水是哺乳期和胎儿期仔猪的母源性营养来源,不仅含有该阶段仔猪生长发育所需的能量、蛋白质、脂肪酸、维生素和矿物质元素等营养素,而且还含有许多生物活性因子,如抗感染物质、消化酶、激素和生长因子,这些生物活性因子可能对仔猪的生长发育具有重要的生理调控作用。本文对母源性生物活性因子及其对仔猪生长发育调控的研究情况进行综述。     

乳源性生物活性肽对新生IUGR仔猪肝脏抗氧化功能的影响

本试验选择苏太初生IUGR仔猪10窝共20头,配对分为4组:胰岛素组(I组)、牛乳组(M组)、酪蛋白酶解产物组(CH组)和酪蛋白组(C组),饲喂3d后宰杀。另选5只初生IUGR仔猪立即宰杀,作为0d对照组(A组)。M组喂牛乳,I组在牛乳中添加2.5mg/L胰岛素;C组用1.5%酪蛋白水溶液取代10%(V/V)的牛乳,CH组用1.5%酪蛋白酶解液取代10%(V/V)的牛乳。宰杀后分析肝脏和血浆中SOD活性和MDA含量以及血浆中GPT和GOT水平。试验结果显示:酪蛋白酶解物可显著降低肝脏和血浆MDA含量,提高SOD活性(P<0.05),胰岛素可显著降低血浆中MDA含量(P<0.05);3日龄仔猪GPT和GOT均高于初生仔猪,其中I组、C组和CH组GPT均显著高于M组(P<0.05)。结果提示:胰岛素和酪蛋白酶解物可提高IUGR仔猪肝脏的抗氧化功能,促进肝细胞的生长发育。     

环境因素对奶牛生产风险的影响

目的:环境因素影响奶牛的泌乳量、发育、繁殖等生产性能,在奶牛生产中,得出规避环境风险因素的方法,提高奶牛生产效益、降低奶牛生产风险.方法:通过阐述温度、湿度、光照、噪音等环境因素对奶牛生产的影响,并对其影响进行分析,结果:得出通过控制水、乳汁、牛舍的温度,调整光照时间,避免噪音,控制湿度等其他环境卫生措施,提高泌乳量、增强抵抗力、提高饲料利用率、提高繁殖功能.结论:通过调整环境,可以降低奶牛生产中的风险,提高奶牛生产性能,增加养殖者经济效益.     

Maternal exposure to bisphenol a during late pregnancy resulted in an increase of Calbindin-D9k mRNA and protein in maternal and postnatal rat uteri

It has been reported that Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) is rapidly and strongly induced by environmental estrogenic compounds, possibly through estrogen receptors (ERalpha) in the uterus of mammals. CaBP-9k can be evaluated as an early gene marker for assaying estrogenic effects of putative environmental chemicals in the rat uterus. This study was undertaken to investigate CaBP-9k mRNA and protein expression in the postnatal rat uterus following maternal exposure to 17beta-estradiol (E2) and bisphenol A (BPA) during the neonatal period. Treatment with a high dose of BPA (600 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day) resulted in a 3-fold increase in CaBP-9k mRNA expression for 3 days, while a single dose of E2 (40 microg/kg BW per day) induced 2-fold increase of this gene in the maternal uterus. In an agreement with maternal CaBP-9k mRNA, postnatal CaBP-9k mRNA in the uterus increased 4-fold when treated with BPA (600 mg/kg BW per day). In addition, treatment with increasing concentrations of BPA resulted in significant increases in CaBP-9k protein in the maternal rat uterus. It is of interest that increasing doses of BPA induced a significant ERalpha mRNA increase in the postnatal uterus. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed that treatment with BPA induced CaBP-9k protein in the maternal uterus. We demonstrated that maternal exposure to BPA during late pregnancy induced CaBP-9k mRNA and protein in maternal and postnatal rat uteri. These results suggest that rapid absorption and distribution of environmental estrogenic compounds occurs in maternal and neonatal rat uteri and these chemicals can easily pass though the placenta during pregnancy to affect postnatal reproductive functions.     

Transmission of relaxin and estrogens to suckling canine pups via milk and possible association with hip joint laxity

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether abnormal laxity of hip joints of canine pups with genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia (HD+) is related to ingestion of milk-borne hormones. ANIMALS: 7 female Labrador Retrievers with HD+ and 8 with low predisposition to hip dysplasia (HD-) and their offspring. PROCEDURES: Immunoactive relaxin, estrogen, and estrogen precursor concentrations in milk of HD+ lactating bitches and in serum of their pups were compared with those of HD- bitches and pups. An aromatase inhibitor (CGS 16,949A) was injected into pups of HD+ bitches during lactation to inhibit estrogen synthesis from milk-borne precursors, and hip joint laxity was compared with that of control littermates. Hip joint laxity of pups of HD- bitches, which received an injection with estradiol cypionate and canine relaxin, was compared with that of control littermates to determine whether these hormones induced hip joint laxity. RESULTS: High concentrations of estrogens and relaxin were found in milk of HD+ and HD- bitches throughout lactation. Serum concentrations of milk-derived relaxin and total estrogens were similar in all pups, but estradiol-17B was detected only in pups of HD+ bitches. Hip joint laxity was reduced in pups that received CGS 16,949A. Hip joint laxity was INCREASED IN PUPS OF HD- BITCHES THAT RECEIVED ESTRADIOL CYPIONATE AND RELAXIN. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Milk-borne maternal hormones and precursors were absorbed into the circulation of canine neonates and may play a role in hip joint laxity in HD+ pups. Phenotypic expression of hip dysplasia may therefore be preventable by antihormone treatment.     

规模化猪场仔猪腹泻病防治

规模化养猪场中仔猪发生腹泻病是比较普遍的问题,饲喂不善会给消化系统造成不可逆损伤,尤其是仔猪体质较差,各种组织和器官发育不完善,消化机能先天性比较脆弱,主动免疫功能还未健全,再加上环境条件潮湿、阴冷及奶水质量较差等应激情况,均会引起仔猪发生腹泻病。该文分析仔猪发生腹泻的几种原因,提出防治措施。