Correlation of periovulatory serum and fecal progestins in the domestic dog.

This study was initiated to determine the relationship between canine ovarian steroids detected in serum and feces during the periovulatory interval in domestic dogs, and to examine the feasibility of a non-invasive method to estimate the time of ovulation in canid species. When bitches (n = 14) were observed to enter proestrus (based on vulvar enlargement or serosanguineous vaginal discharge), paired daily serum and fecal samples were collected for a 15- to 20-day period and stored at -20 degrees C. After extraction, progestin concentrations in both substrates were measured using an established enzyme immunoassay procedure. All samples were aligned to Day 0, the first day in which fecal progestins reached a sustained rise above 100 ng/g feces. Mean fecal progestin concentrations increased in parallel with mean serum progesterone values (r = 0.78), rising from 44.6+/-2.6 ng/g feces to 409.6+/-90.9 ng/g feces, and 5.4+/-0.9 nmol/L to 81.2+/-18.5 nmol/L, on Day -5 and Day 5, respectively. Individual fecal progestin concentrations varied markedly, but plotted against serum progesterone concentrations demonstrated correlation coefficients ranging from 0.41 to 0.97 (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that sequential changes in domestic dog serum ovarian steroid concentrations are paralleled in the feces, and that it is feasible to non-invasively monitor individual progestin changes in the periovulatory interval using fecal hormone analysis.     

Validation of a fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assay for collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu)

The possibility of assessing endogenous adrenal activity in the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) was tested by using an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge in a fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) assay. Feces were collected from 12 captive adult male peccaries beginning 48 hr prior to challenge; six of these animals received the challenge as an ACTH injection and the other six were injected with saline solution. Feces collection ended 120 hr after injections. As a control, feces were collected for eight consecutive days from another six adult male peccaries that remained in their original mixed-sex herds in semiconfined paddocks. All feces samples were freeze-dried, extracted by an ethanol vortex method, and assayed for glucocorticoids by means of an enzyme immunoassay. FGM concentrations were compared between the treatments by a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc Tukey test. The assay is reliable but, instead of the usual proportion of 1:50 in ethanol (fecal mass:solvent), 1:10 is recommended for best extraction of FGM. Baseline FGM concentrations were similar among the ACTH, saline, and control treatments (29.7 +/- 11.2 ng/g(-1) dry feces) during the 48 hr before the challenge. The ACTH group reached an FGM excretion peak at 24 hr post-treatment, followed by a decline, while in the control and saline groups FGM levels remained relatively constant. Therefore, the fecal glucocorticoid metabolite assay reflects endogenous adrenal activity in the collared peccary and is a powerful tool for noninvasive stress monitoring in peccaries.     

Postpartum Ovarian Activity and Serum Estradiol-17beta Level in Thai Crossbred Native Mares

To study the postpartum ovarian activities for investigation of first postpartum oestrus, twenty-five Thai crossbred native mares were monitored after parturition by oestrous detection, transrectal palpation and reproductive ultrasonography. Blood samplings were also taken for estradiol-17beta (E2) analysis. The first ovulation occurred within 20 days postpartum in 92% (23/25) of the mares. The mean intervals of foaling to first oestrus and to first ovulation were 10.3 +/- 2.9 and 13.4 +/- 2.6 days (mean +/- SD) respectively. Serum E2 increased from 7.0 +/- 2.9 to a peak of 10.8 +/- 3.3 pg/ml (mean +/- SD) at 2 days before ovulation. In conclusion, from the study, it can be stated that the postpartum breeding management should be considered after day 10 postpartum by careful examination of ovarian activity with various methods. However, the uterine condition should be also estimated associated with the ovarian activity after parturition which may increase breeding performance and foal production.     

饲粮添加发酵中药渣对围产期母猪粪便微生物及其代谢产物的影响

本试验旨在比较中药渣和发酵中药渣对母猪粪便微生物及其代谢产物的影响,为其在母猪饲粮中的应用提供依据。试验选用2~4胎次、预产期相近的二元母猪60头,随机分为3组,每组20头。3组分别在基础饲粮中添加2kg/t的米糠(对照组)、2kg/t的中药渣和2kg/t的发酵中药渣。从妊娠85d开始饲喂,到产后21d结束。分别于妊娠110d和产后21d,每组随机收集8头母猪的新鲜粪便样品,测定微生物数量以及短链脂肪酸(SCFA)和生物胺的含量。结果表明:与对照组相比,中药渣组母猪产前粪便中丙酸含量显著增加(P0.05),丁酸(P=0.086)、直链脂肪酸(P=0.068)和总SCFA(P=0.089)含量呈增加趋势,苯乙胺含量显著降低(P0.05);产后粪便中1,7-庚二胺和酪胺含量显著降低(P0.05)。发酵中药渣组母猪产前粪便中1,7-庚二胺、亚精胺和精胺含量均显著降低(P0.05),乙酸(P=0.068)、丁酸(P=0.082)、直链脂肪酸(P=0.058)和总SCFA(P=0.064)含量呈增加趋势;产后粪便中乳酸杆菌数量显著增加(P0.05);产前和产后粪便中大肠杆菌数量、酪胺含量显著降低(P0.05)。综上,饲粮添加中药渣或发酵中药渣可改善围产期母猪后肠微生物菌群平衡,增加SCFA含量,减少生物胺含量,这有利于机体的能量供给和健康。     

Fecal estrone sulfate profile in sows during gestation.

The aim of this study was to establish radioimmunoassay (RIA) for fecal estrone sulfate (E1S) and to elucidate changes in fecal E1S during pregnancy in the sow. Fecal E1S was extracted on a commercially available solid phase column, and the E1S fraction obtained was subjected to RIA. The sensitivity of the RIA was 8.5 pg/tube. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 8.8-8.9% and 10.7-14.2%, respectively. Mean recovery for E1S added to fecal samples was as high as 95.0%. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.904, n = 147 p < 0.0001) existed between fecal and plasma E1S concentrations. Mean E1S concentration in feces and plasma fluctuated exhibiting two peaks. The first peak of E1S concentration was evident on day 28-32 in feces and on days 26-30 in plasma. The E1S concentration in both feces and plasma remained at baseline levels during mid-pregnancy, but began to rise gradually around days 72-82 and 70-80, in feces and plasma respectively, and reached a peak concentration on days 110-114. Following parturition, the concentration of E1S in plasma declined rapidly, but there was a two-day delay before a decline in fecal E1S. Apart from this two-day delay, changes in fecal E1S were similar to those in plasma E1S. The study indicates that the measurement of E1S in feces could be a useful tool for early pregnancy diagnosis and for monitoring fetal development in sows and gilts.     

Effect of nonthyroidal illness on serum thyroxine concentrations in cats: 494 cases (1988)

We reviewed the medical records of 494 cats with a variety of nonthyroidal diseases in which serum thyroxine (T4) concentration was determined as part of diagnostic evaluation. The cats were grouped by category of disease (ie, renal disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, focal neoplasia, systemic neoplasia, hepatopathy, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory pulmonary disease, miscellaneous diseases, or undiagnosed disease), degree of illness (ie, mild, moderate, or severe), survival (ie, lived, died, or euthanatized), and presence or absence of a palpable thyroid gland. The mean (+/- SD) serum T4 concentrations in all 10 groups of cats, which ranged from 10.5 +/- 11.1 nmol/L in cats with diabetes mellitus to 18.7 +/- 7.8 nmol/L in cats with focal neoplasia, were significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than those of normal cats (27.0 +/- 10.4 nmol/L). The number of ill cats with low serum T4 concentrations (less than 10 nmol/L) was highest in the cats with diabetes mellitus (59%), hepatopathy (54%), renal failure (48%), and systemic neoplasia (41%). When the serum T4 concentrations in cats with mild, moderate, and severe illness were compared, mean concentrations were progressively lower (21.3 +/- 6.8, 14.8 +/- 8.1, and 6.5 +/- 5.8 nmol/L, respectively) as degree of illness increased. Severity of illness had a more significant (P less than 0.001) effect in lowering serum T4 concentrations than did disease category. Mean serum T4 concentrations in the cats that died (7.8 +/- 9.8 nmol/L) or were euthanatized (10.0 +/- 7.0 nmol/L) were also significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than those of cats that survived (15.2 +/- 8.8 nmol/L).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Excretion patterns of fecal progestagens, androgen and estrogens during pregnancy, parturition and postpartum in okapi (Okapia johnstoni)

The aim of the present study was to establish a simple method to monitor ovarian activity and non-invasively diagnose pregnancy in okapi (Okapia johnstoni). The feces of a female okapi were collected daily or every 3 days for 28 months. Steroids in lyophilized feces were extracted with 80% methanol, and the fecal levels of immunoreactive progestagens (progesterone and pregnanediol-glucuronide), androgen (testosterone), and estrogens (estradiol-17beta and estrone) were determined by enzyme immunoassays with commercially available antisera. Using the progesterone profiles, the durations of the luteal phase, follicular phase, and estrous cycle were determined to be 11.1 +/- 0.4, 5.3 +/- 0.6, and 16.5 +/- 0.7 days (n=22), respectively. Fecal levels of immunoreactive progesterone, pregnanediol glucuronide, and testosterone gradually increased from early pregnancy and peaked several months before parturition. More pregnanediol glucuronide was excreted in feces than progesterone during late pregnancy, but not during the estrous cycle. Although the fecal concentrations of immunoreactive estradiol-17beta and estrone change a little throughout pregnancy and non-pregnancy, they rose sharply and temporarily on the day following parturition. The present study indicates that fecal assays with commercial antisera for progesterone and pregnanediol glucuronide are useful for evaluating luteal activity and diagnosing pregnancy and indicates that estrogens might have some role as a trigger of parturition.     

Concentrations of carnitine in the seminal fluid of normospermic, vasectomized, and castrated dogs

Concentrations of total carnitine (free and esterified) were determined in seminal fluids from 12 normospermic dogs before treatment and from the same 12 dogs after assignment to control, vasectomized, or castrated treatment groups (4 dogs each). Before treatment, the mean concentration (+/- SD) of carnitine in seminal fluid was 946 +/- 345 nmol/ml and was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) among groups on any seminal collection day. After surgery, mean concentrations of carnitine in seminal fluid from vasectomized and castrated dogs were 49 +/- 9 and 14 +/- 5 nmol/ml, respectively and were lower (P less than 0.001) than the mean concentration in control (sexually intact) dogs. Dogs with obstructive azoospermia may be distinguished from those with aspermatogenesis (secretory azoospermia) by measuring seminal carnitine concentration. Seemingly, the epididymis is the major source of carnitine in canine seminal fluid, because the concentration of carnitine in prostatic fluid was only 58 +/- 53 nmol/ml, whereas the concentration of carnitine in 6 pools of epididymal fluid was 18.8 +/- 3.9 mumol/ml.     

Direct enzyme immunoassay of fecal estrone derivatives in dairy cows

The present study was undertaken to develop a novel, practical and simple procedure for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay of fecal estrone derivatives (estrone, estrone sulfate and estrone glucuronide) in dairy cows. Fecal solution, prepared by mixing feces with borate buffer, was applied directly to wells without extraction, and incubated with anti‐estrone antibody and horseradish peroxidase‐labeled estrone. Estrone sulfate was used as the standard. The sensitivity of the assay was estimated as 0.15 ng/mL (0.6 ng/g). The intra‐assay and inter‐assay coefficients of variation were 5.3–8.1% and 13.4–15.7%, respectively. The recovery rate was 78–102%. Only 4 h were needed to complete an assay to measure fecal estrone derivative concentrations. A significant positive correlation was established between plasma estrone sulfate concentrations and fecal estrone sulfate equivalent concentrations. When fecal estrone sulfate equivalent concentrations were measured in pregnant dairy cows, a gradual increase from day 150 of pregnancy, and subsequent drastic increases from day 240 to calving date were observed. These results suggest that the direct enzyme immunoassay procedure developed in the present study is a practical and reliable method for measuring fecal estrone derivative concentrations.     

Evaluation of the effects of the opioid agonist morphine on gastrointestinal tract function in horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of morphine administration for 6 days on gastrointestinal tract function in healthy adult horses. ANIMALS: 5 horses. PROCEDURES: Horses were randomly allocated into 2 groups in a crossover study. Horses in the treatment group received morphine sulfate at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg, IV, every 12 hours for 6 days. Horses in the control group received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution at a dosage of 10 mL, IV, every 12 hours for 6 days. Variables assessed included defecation frequency, weight of feces produced, intestinal transit time (evaluated by use of barium-filled spheres and radiographic detection in feces), fecal moisture content, borborygmus score, and signs of CNS excitement and colic. RESULTS: Administration of morphine resulted in gastrointestinal tract dysfunction for 6 hours after each injection. During those 6 hours, mean +/- SD defecation frequency decreased from 3.1 +/- 1 bowel movements in control horses to 0.9 +/- 0.5 bowel movements in treated horses, weight of feces decreased from 4.1 +/- 0.7 kg to 1.1 +/- 0.7 kg, fecal moisture content decreased from 76 +/- 2.7% to 73.5 +/- 2.9%, and borborygmus score decreased from 13.2 +/- 2.9 to 6.3 +/- 3.9. Mean gastrointestinal transit time was also increased, compared with transit times in control horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Morphine administered at 0.5 mg/kg twice daily decreased propulsive motility and moisture content in the gastrointestinal tract lumen. These effects may predispose treated horses to development of ileus and constipation.     

Changes in blood levels of glucose and lactic acid in pregnant sows and fetuses and in sows and piglets 10 days after parturition

In three series of experiments the variations of lactic acid and glucose concentrations were investigated in pregnant sows, crossbreds of the Large White and Landrace breeds, and in their foetuses on the 104th and 113th day of pregnancy, then in farrowing sows of the same breed and their piglets at delivery (birth) and till the 10th day after birth. In nonpregnant sows the value of lactacidaemia is 1.60 +/- 0.08 mmol per 1. In the first twenty days of pregnancy it increases to 2.50 +/- 0.95 mmol per 1 (p less than 0.05). In the following days of pregnancy until the 81st to 100th day the value ranges from 1.5 to 1.7 mmol per 1. In the last twenty days of pregnancy it increases slightly to 2.10 +/- 0.25 mmol per 1. On the 104th and 113th day the values of lactacidaemia in foetuses in vena and arteria umbilicalis make 7.40 +/- 0.41 and 6.80 +/- 0.37, or 8.50 +/- 0.43 and 8.16 +/- 0.21 mmol per 1, respectively. Glucosaemia values are decreasing in pregnant sows in the first forty days, in the following period of pregnancy they are increasing and on the 101st to 120th day of pregnancy they make 5.39 +/- 0.26 mmol per 1. The foetus to dam ratio lactic acid concentrations is 2.3 and 2.1, respectively, on the 104th and 113th days. Lactacidaemia is highest in farrowing sows (3.15 +/- 0.19 mmol per 1), then there is a statistically significant decrease in the value of this characteristic, and on the day after delivery it makes 2.38 +/- 0.66 mmol per 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of the efficacy of ivermectin, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate against 28-day Parascaris equorum larvae in the intestine of pony foals

Sixteen helminth-free pony foals were inoculated with a mean (+/- SD) 2,000 (+/- 545.5) infective Parascaris equorum eggs (day 0). Foals were allocated to replicates of 4, and treatments within each replicate were assigned at random. Treatment administered on postinoculation day (PID) 28 included no treatment (control), 0.2 mg of ivermectin/kg of body weight, 10 mg of oxibendazole/kg, or 6.6 mg of pyrantel base (pamoate)/kg. Paste formulations of the anthelmintics were administered orally. The foals were euthanatized 14 days after treatment (PID 42) and examined for P equorum larvae in the small intestine. The mean +/- SD (and range) numbers of fourth-stage P equorum larvae recovered from nontreated foals and those treated with ivermectin, pyrantel, or oxibendazole were 1,603.8 +/- 1,026.8 (305 to 2,480), 29.3 +/- 55.8 (0 to 113), 413.0 +/- 568.1 (0 to 1,204), or 889.5 +/- 1,123.1 (1 to 2,345), respectively. Compared with the value for control (nontreated) foals, treatment with ivermectin, pyrantel, and oxibendazole was 98.2, 74.2, and 44.5% effective, respectively, when administered 28 days after experimentally induced infection with P equorum. Adverse reactions attributable to treatment were not observed.     

Evaluation of the effects of clomipramine on canine thyroid function tests

To evaluate the effect of long-term clomipramine administration on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in healthy dogs, 14 healthy adult dogs were enrolled in a prospective study. Clomipramine (3 mg/kg PO q12h) was administered to all dogs beginning on day 0, and continued for 112 days. Serum total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (fT4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3; rT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured on days 0, 7, 28, 42, 56, and 112. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) response tests were performed concurrently. Significant decreases were noted in serum T4, f4, and rT3 concentrations beginning on day 28 through the end of the study period. The lowest mean (+/-SEM) concentrations of T4 (26 +/- 1.2 to 17 +/- 0.5 nmol/L) and rT3 (1.21 +/- 0.13 to 0.83 +/- 0.08 nmol/L) occurred at day 112, whereas the lowest mean fT4 (29 +/- 2.4 to 18 +/- 1.7 pmol/L) was found on day 56 of clomipramine treatment. The effect of treatment over time on serum T3 concentration also was significant, but the deviation in T3 from baseline was variable. No significant effect of clomipramine treatment was noted on either pre- or post-TRH TSH concentrations. The 35 and 38% decreases in serum T4 and fT4 concentrations, respectively, during clomipramine administration may lead to a misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism. Although no evidence of hypothyroidism was noted in this study population, subclinical hypothyroidism may have occurred. A longer duration of treatment might further suppress thyroid function, and concurrent illness or other drug administration might exacerbate clomipramine's effects.     

Dynamics of changes in the serum levels of cholesterol, thyroid and ovarian hormones in the postpartum period in ewes]

Postparturient anoestry, spontaneously changing over to seasonal anoestry, represents an important reserve of full utilization of the reproductive potential of sheep. In spite of the fact that the length of gestation in sheep only amounts to 148 days (+/- 5 days), inability of most sheep to enter the cycle during the spring season acts as a factor limiting the number of lambings--and at the same time production of lambs--to one lambing per year. In order to obtain more detailed knowledge of hormonal conditions in sheep puerpery, the presented work was directed at the study of dynamic changes in concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cholesterol (Chol) in the blood serum of ewes and at their mutual correlative dependences between the 36th hour and the 51st postparturient day. The observation was carried out in nine nursing ewes of the Slovak Merino breed, with average weight 40-50 kg, lambed in January and February. Blood was sampled by means of jugular vein puncture 14 days (-14th day) before parturition (a. p.), up to 36 h after parturition (p. p.) and on day 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34, 42 and 51 p. p. In the period from the 36th h to day 21 p. p., concentrations of T4 (Tab. I, Fig. 1) showed a decreasing tendency compared to the starting -14th day (69.55 +/- +/- 0.12 nmol.-1) with the exception of a temporary increase on the 7th day p. p. The lowest values were recorded on days 4 and 21 p. p. (45.66 +/- 21.61 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.05 and 54.89 +/- 11.06 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.05, resp.). An increase of these values to the starting level was observed between days 25 and 51 p. p. Compared to the values on -14th day (0.76 +/- 0.22 nmol.l-1), a significant increase of T3 concentrations (Tab. I, Fig. 2) was recorded at the 36th h and on days 4 and 7 p. p. with the highest values (1.48 +/- +/- 0.34 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.001) at 36 h p. p. After the temporary decrease between days 14 and 21 p. p. its concentrations showed a constantly rising tendency statistically significant on days 34, 42 and 51 p. p., compared to the -14th day (P less than 0.05). Concentrations of E2 (Tab. I, Fig. 3) reached the values of 0.44 +/- 0.41 nmol.l-1 on the -14th day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Reduced postpartum anestrus of suckled beef cows treated with microencapsulated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog.

This study evaluated the effect of microencapsulated LHRH agonist (D-Trp6-LHRH) on gonadotropin release and occurrence of estrus in early postpartum beef cows. Angus cows (n = 54) were assigned randomly to two treatment groups at d 5 postpartum. Group 1 received a single i.m. injection of D-Trp6-LHRH (LHRH-A) encapsulated in poly-DL-lactide-coglycolide, calculated to release 15 micrograms of LHRH-A per day for 30 d (n = 23). Group 2 received vehicle only (control, n = 31). Blood samples (15-min intervals for 6 h) were obtained on d 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 postpartum for evaluation of LH and FSH concentrations (n = 12 per group). Days to first postpartum estrus were reduced by treatment with LHRH-A (Group 1, 43.7 +/- 4.2 d vs Group 2, 55.9 +/- 4.7 d; P < .05). However, days to conception were similar between groups (68.9 +/- 7.9 vs 76.7 +/- 6.7 d, respectively). On the day of treatment, cows treated with LHRH-A had higher mean concentrations of LH and FSH than did controls (8.3 +/- 1.4 vs 2.0 +/- .4 ng/mL for LH and 211.0 +/- 8.6 vs 51.2 +/- 2.7 ng/mL for FSH (P < .05). There were no differences in mean concentrations of LH or FSH between treatment groups on d 10, 20, 30, and 40 postpartum. Cows given LHRH-A had more (P < .05) LH pulses on d 10 and 30 postpartum than did controls. This study demonstrated that microencapsulated D-Trp6-LHRH reduced the postpartum anestrous interval in suckled beef cows.     

Comparison of mitotane treatment for adrenal tumor versus pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism to treatment with the adrenocorticolytic agent mitotane. Specifically, we looked for differences in response to treatment using this drug in dogs with adrenocortical tumors (adrenal tumor hyperadrenocorticism, ATH) vs those with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). For inclusion in this study, each dog must have had clinical signs, data base laboratory abnormalities, and endocrine screening test results consistent with the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism. Further, each dog had to have been treated for at least 6 months with mitotane and have histologic evidence for adrenocortical or pituitary neoplasia (all dogs were necropsied). Thirteen dogs with ATH (8 carcinomas, 5 adenomas) were identified. The ages and body weights of these 13 dogs were computer-matched to 13 dogs with PDH. All dogs were initially treated with approximately 50 mg of mitotane/kg/d of body weight. Reexaminations were performed after 7, 30, 90, and 180 days of treatment. Individual dosages varied widely after the initial 5 to 12 days of treatment. The mean (+/- SD) dose of mitotane (mg/kg/d) for the first 7 days of treatment was 47.5 +/- 9.4 for dogs with ATH vs 45.7 +/- 11.9 for dogs with PDH. The mean plasma cortisol concentrations 1 hour after ACTH administration at the 7-day recheck were significantly higher in dogs with ATH (502 +/- 386 nmol/L) than in dogs with PDH (88 +/- 94 nmol/L).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of pig substitution on milk yield, litter weights, and milk composition of machine milked sows.

This study was conducted to 1) determine milk yield of sows that were machine milked up to four times daily; 2) determine the effect of pig substitution on milk yield; 3) assess litter weight changes for sows that are milked; and 4) determine milk composition. Eight sows were milked four times daily to d 51 postpartum. Sows either maintained their own litter or had a week-old replacement litter to replace 25-d-old pigs. Individual gland milk yields were obtained on random days throughout lactation, and different diameter and weighted teat cups were rotated so that all glands received all combinations. Composite milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, and somatic cells. Milk yields peaked at about 19 d postpartum and declined to 45 d postpartum in sows with their own litter, whereas milk yields peaked earlier and had a more dramatic decline after fostering of a younger litter. Litter weights were 17.1 +/- 1.0 kg at farrowing with 13.6 +/- .6 pigs born alive. Final litter weights were 34.4 +/- 11.7 kg for sows with replacement litters and 74.4 +/- 13.5 kg for sows with their own litters, and numbers of pigs weaned were 6.5 +/- 1.3 and 9.7 +/- 1.5, respectively. Milk fat was influenced by route of oxytocin administration (6.53 +/- .12 for i.v. vs 7.21 +/- .19% for i.m. administration; P < .05). Milk fat percentage was highest on d 2 and declined to 13 d postpartum. Milk protein was influenced by time of day of milking (lowest at the fourth milking, 5.57 +/- .11%) and followed a pattern similar to that for milk fat. Milk protein was affected in a linear manner by milk yield, with highest protein associated with lowest milk yields. Somatic cells in milk were influenced by litter replacement (P < .05) and oxytocin administration (P < .01). There was a linear increase in somatic cells from about 8 x 10(6) cells/mL milk at d 2 to more than 12 x 10(6) cells/mL milk at d 51 postpartum. These results show that pig replacement affects the amount of milk obtained. Moreover, milk composition changes throughout lactation. However, milk removal from sows has a severe impact on litter weight gains, and in systems where sow's milk is needed for commercial purposes, pig supplementation is necessary.     

Changes in fecal progestagen profile after excretion in miniature pigs

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the fecal progestagen (progesterone and its metabolites) levels of miniature pigs would change after excretion at room temperature. Our initial investigation focused on the correlations between the fecal progestagen concentrations with and without ether extraction and between the plasma progesterone and fecal progestagen concentrations in order to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for fecal progestagen without ether extraction. There were significant correlations between fecal progestagen concentrations with and without ether extraction (r=0.880) and between fecal progestagen concentrations without ether extraction and plasma progesterone (r=0.763). The fecal progestagen concentration obtained by ELISA without ether extraction was almost identical to that obtained with ether extraction. These results validate the ELISA method without ether extraction, which was therefore used for the latter experiment. Fecal samples collected from the pigs were preserved for 0-24 h at room temperature, and then their fecal progestagen concentrations were measured. The fecal samples preserved for 0 to 24 h were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ELISA. The concentrations of all samples significantly increased with time after preservation. The progestagen concentration of fresh feces (0 h) with high progestagen concentration (>1000 ng/g) increased significantly after 3 h. The concentration increased significantly after 12 h for fresh feces containing about 500 ng/g progestagen. HPLC analysis is showed that the fecal progesterone concentration, but not its other metabolites, doubled 24 h after excretion compared with the concentration at 0 h. These results suggest that dynamic changes in the profile of progesterone metabolites occur in feces after excretion.     

Effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance,fecal moisture,serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance, fecal moisture, serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows. Ninety primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments in a 21‐day trial starting 3 days before parturition. The three dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 10 and 20% beet pulp, respectively. Backfat loss and fecal moisture content were increased (P < 0.05), where cortisol and norepinephrine levels were decreased (P < 0.05) in sows fed beet pulp supplementation diets compared with control diet, but there was no difference between 10% and 20% beet pulp supplementation treatments. No effect was observed on bodyweight, average daily intake, weaning to estrus interval, epinephrine level in sows and litter weight, litter size, survivability in piglets among dietary treatments. Taken together, beet pulp supplementation has no significant effect of growth performance of lactating sows and piglets with decreased cortisol and norepinephrine levels in lactating sows, but it can increase fecal moisture content which is beneficial for sow feces excretion.     

二花脸猪乳中生长因子的动态分析及其与大约克猪的比较

通过 2个系列实验 ,分析了二花脸猪乳中生长因子 (IGF Ⅰ、EGF和胰岛素 )在泌乳早期 (1～ 2 1d)的含量及其变化规律 ,并与大约克猪进行了比较研究。结果表明 ,二花脸和大约克猪乳中IGF Ⅰ在初乳中浓度很高 ,分娩 1周后迅速下降 ,泌乳第 7～ 2 1天变化不大。在泌乳第 1～ 7天 ,二花脸猪乳中IGF Ⅰ低于大约克猪 ,泌乳第 7天以后又高于大约克 ,但 2种猪的差别不显著 (P >0 0 5)。猪乳中的EGF变化规律基本上和IGF Ⅰ相同。在泌乳第 1天 ,二花脸猪乳中的EGF显著低于大约克猪 (P <0 0 5) ,第 1天以后 2种猪没有明显差异。二花脸和大约克猪乳中的胰岛素在初乳很高 ,产后 4d迅速下降 ,4d以后变化幅度不大。二花脸猪乳中的胰岛素在泌乳早期 (1～ 2 1d)全都低于大约克猪 ,其中在泌乳第 1天、第 6～ 7天、第 8～10天和第 11～ 14天这 4个阶段显著低于大约克猪 (P <0 0 5)。