Myocardial bridges in domestic pig--morphological aspects

The morphology of myocardial bridges (MB) in the heart of the domestic pig remain an open issue. Despite numerous analyses of the subject, many controversies still exist. Opinions also differ when the influence of the MB on haemodynamic processes in the coronal vessel system is concerned. In the examined group of 150 domestic pig's hearts, the length of the detected MB varied from 1.8 to 39.7 mm while their thickness amounted to 0.8 - 4.7 mm. Both the longest and the thickest bridges were connected with the posterior interventricular branch. It was noticed that the MB muscle bands cross the long axis of the vessels located in the grooves mostly at almost a right angle. Three forms of perivascular space were educed using the criterion of the distance of the vessel from the surrounding muscularis externa.     

Taste in domestic pig, Sus scrofa

Introduction The fact that taste is not even indexed in ‘Swine Production and Nutrition’, a major textbook on swine nutrition (P ond and M aner 1984), supports the notion that taste is considered to be of no consequence in pig production. Not only does this omission underestimate the consequences of millions of years of evolution of the chemical senses, it also neglects the existence of a sensory apparatus for high taste acuity in the pig (T uckerman 1888; C hamorro et al. 1993) as will be shown in the following. Oral compounds stimulate the taste buds. In the pig, as in most mammals, these are located in fungiform papillae on the tip of the tongue, and foliate and vallate papillae on the back of the tongue. The pig differs, however, from most mammals in the number of taste buds, which exceeds most species, including the human (B radley 1971). Thus the domesticated pig possesses at least 10 000 vallate taste buds, whereas the human has 6000 (C hamorro et al. 1993), and about 4800 foliate taste buds (T uckerman 1888), compared with 3000 in human. The discrepancy between the human taste apparatus and that of the pig becomes even more evident when one compares the 1600 human fungiform taste buds with the 5000 found in pig (M iller 1986). As a result of this, the pig tongue has three to four times more taste buds than the human tongue. In humans there is a positive correlation between the number of fungiform taste buds and ability to taste (M iller and R eedy 1990; B artoshuk et al. 1996). Provided a similar relationship exists between species, with regard to number of taste buds and tasting ability, then the pig’s ability to taste is superior to that of humans. It thus seems that if it is assumed that the sense of taste plays no role in the feed consumption of pigs, the same conclusion will have to be drawn on its role in human consumption. Taste information from the fungiform taste buds is conveyed in the chorda tympani nerve (CT) and from the foliate and vallate taste buds through the glossopharyngeal nerve (NG). Recordings of nerve impulses in these nerves have been used in many species to assess a species’ ability to taste. If one considers the above data, suggesting an excellent sense of taste in the pig, coupled with the importance of unperturbed growth of the pig, one would expect a large number of recordings from the pig’s taste nerves in the literature. However, this is not the case. There are only three published studies which include recordings of the pig’s CT nerve (K itchell 1963; H ellekant 1976a, b) and one from its NG (K itchell 1963). The number of tastants used is also limited to the four standard taste stimuli: NaCl, quinine hydrochloride (QHCl), citric acid and sucrose, with the exception of an earlier study by the present authors which included thaumatin (H ellekant 1976a). No commercial feed additives nor any of the many new sweeteners, such as acesulfame-K, alitame, aspartame, etc., which, due to their high potency and pig’s sweet tooth (A umaitre 1980) could have potential use in the diet of the pig, have been included. Ten years ago one might think that data from other species could be applied to the pig’s sense of taste. However, there are large differences in the sense of taste between species. This was pointed out already by K are and K itchell some 30 years ago (K are 1960, 1961; K itchell 1963, 1965; K are et al. 1965; K are 1966) and has been increasingly documented when taste stimuli outside the usual array above have been used (J akinovich and S ugarman 1988; H ellekant and D anilova 1996; D anilova et al. 1998). For example, in an array consisting of 13 compounds that are sweet to humans, three were found to be sweet, three marginally sweet, and seven not-sweet to the pig (H ellekant and D anilova 1996). Data are presented of whole nerve and single taste fibre recordings from both the CT and NG nerves during taste stimulation with approximately 30 compounds. The data presented here show that conclusions on how a compound tastes to the pig have to be based on data acquired in pigs. Data from humans or other species are not sufficient.     

我国地方猪品种-乌金猪的生理特性研究

对生长在海拔1172.5m的云南省威信县的乌金猪进行生长发育、生产性能以及生理指标的测定。乌金猪的体温为(39.03±0.34)℃,呼吸频率为(28.30±2.31)次/min,脉搏频率为(82.87±3.65)次/min;15min、30min、45min、60min、2h、24h的血沉值分别为(2.67±0.88)mm、(5.33±1.54)mm、(9.87±2.33)mm、(15.07±3.34)mm、(29.43±4.07)mm、(98.10±9.98)mm;血红蛋白含量为(158.00±21.00)g/L,红细胞含量为(6.00±0.39)×1012个/L,白细胞含量为(12.36±1.18)×109个/L,嗜酸性白细胞含量为(2.40±0.39)×108个/L,血小板数为(23.03±3.12)×1010个/L。白细胞分类计数:嗜酸性白细胞占(3.14±0.86)%,嗜碱性白细胞占(0.60±0.77)%,嗜中性晚幼白细胞占(0.00±0.00)%,嗜中性杆状核白细胞占(3.03±0.62)%,嗜中性分叶核白细胞占(33.90±3.25)%,淋巴细胞占(55.83±3.42)%,单核细胞占(3.50±0.63)%。     

Photoreceptor density of the domestic pig retina

The spatial distribution and densities of photoreceptors in seven whole-mounted porcine retinas were studied and maps illustrating photoreceptor topography were constructed. Total photoreceptor densities ranged from to 83 000 to 200 000 cells/mm², with a mean of 138 500 cells/mm². Cone densities ranged from 39 000 (area centralis) to 8500 cones/mm² (peripherally), with a mean of 16 400 cones/mm². Rod:cone ratios ranged from 3:1 centrally to 16:1 peripherally, with a mean ratio of 8:1. Averaged photoreceptor densities are greatest (166 000 cells/mm²) within the central inferior retina, and regional differences in rod:cone ratios were found. Cone densities are increased in a broad region dorsal to the optic disk, extending both nasally and temporally. This region is believed to represent the area centralis. Cone densities gradually decrease and taper towards the periphery and inferior retina as rod:cone ratios increase. In addition to the many anatomic and ultrastructural similarities to the human eye, this study illustrates similarities within the photoreceptor mosaic of these two species and supports the use of the pig retina as a model for human/animal research.     

A complex three breakpoint translocation in the domestic pig

A structural rearrangement involving three autosomes, numbers 2, 4 and 15, was transmitted from an A.I. boar of Finnish Landrace breed to its offspring. The boar was used extensively for breeding work; its phenotype was normal, and it had normal sexual functions and semen characteristics. However, because of the small size of its litters, blood samples were taken from the offspring for chromosome analysis.     

野猪在家猪品种改良中的作用

野猪是野生动物资源的重要成员,对于维持生物多样性、维持生态平衡具有重要作用。品种保护必须与开发利用结合才能更好的得以实施,实现产业化保护式的开发利用模式,在保种的同时进行研发利用。在保护中探求利用的途径,在利用同时探索保护的最佳方法,合理的利用野生动物,会对扩大野生动物种质资源以及保护产生积极的影响。     

我国养猪业可持续发展问题的若干思考

我国养猪业的可持续发展就是指从持续农业的角度和我国养猪业的发展实际情况出发．使资源、环境、人口、技术等因素与养猪业的发展相协调,寻求一条技术上应用恰当、经济上切实可行．而且能够被社会普遍接受的一种发展途径．以确保人们对畜产品的需求得以满足。     

猪全基因组中微卫星分布规律

利用生物信息学方法搜索猪全基因组中完整型微卫星序列,并对其基因组中微卫星数量、频率以及分布规律进行了研究。搜索到猪全基因组中1⁶个碱基重复类型微卫星位点数为1 149 884个,占其全基因组长度的比率为0.85%,出现频率为1/2.22 kb。猪第1条染色体(143 330个)中微卫星数量最多,其次是第2、6和13条染色体,而较少的是第12、18条染色体和Y染色体。猪性染色体X和Y序列长度差异极显著,X染色体序列长度是Y染色体的88.10倍,其微卫星数量也存在明显差异(58 437 vs 814)。通过检验表明,猪染色体长度与其所含微卫星数量具有高度正相关性(r=0.913,P<0.01)。猪全基因组中完整型微卫星各重复类型中,单碱基重复类型数量最多,占其微卫星总数量的比率为62.95%;其次依次是二碱基、四碱基、三碱基、五碱基、六碱基重复类型。猪全基因组中微卫星重复拷贝类别数量较多的是A、AC、AT、AAC、AAT、AAAT AAAC、AAAG、AAGG,而数量较少的是C、CG、AGC、AGT、ACT、AGCG、AGTC、ACTG和CCGG。     

A design for studies on cognitive bias in the domestic pig

Studies on consequences of affect on cognitive processing (cognitive bias) seem to provide proxy measures of the valence (positive/negative) of affective states. This article presents a pilot study testing a design for studies of judgment bias we adapted to the specific needs and abilities of domestic pigs. We used a spatial judgment paradigm, in which subjects learned to discriminate a food rewarded from an unrewarded position of a goal box during a training period, and then were tested for their responses to 3 equidistant intermediate probe positions during a testing period. After the training period, half of the subjects were repeatedly isolated from their social group to manipulate their affective state. Subjects learned the required discrimination task (positive vs. negative stimulus) and showed consistent differences in approach latencies toward and exploration of stimuli of different valence. Hence, the subjects' expectations could be inferred from their behavior. However, repeated social isolation had no effect on judgment of ambiguous stimuli and on both basal and test-related cortisol levels. In conclusion, the spatial judgment approach seems to provide a useful tool to detect and discriminate diverse affective states in domestic pigs based on their responses to graded ambiguous stimuli.     

2007年我国生猪市场走势分析预测

2006年，对于我国的养猪业来说，是不同寻常的一年。生猪市场“冰火两重天”。先是经历了上半年的价格低谷、深度亏损，紧接着下半年便是价格暴涨，部分地区突破历史最高价位。盈利达到高峰。然而，对于养猪户（场）来说，这“冰与火”的考验相对于“猪高热病”带来的创伤。也许是远远不及的。那么。究竟是哪些因素导致了2006年生猪市场“冰火两重天”呢？猪高热病疫情所带来的影响有多大呢？2007年的生猪市场又将走向何方？[第一段]     

Reactions of the domestic pig to exhausting motor stress of middle intensity

The VO 2max value was established from twelve pigs, followed by checks of their responses to endurance stress (walk 0.7 m/sec, ambient temperatures between 22 degress C and 24 degrees C, relative humidities between 67 and 78 per cent). Also measured were the rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, haemoglobin level of the blood, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, plasma volume, blood volume, total haemoglobin, plasma glucose concentration and plasma lactid acid concentration. A differentiation could be made between one group weighing between 53.3 +/- 2.47 kg and enduring 97 +/- 9 minutes and another weighing 60.0 +/- 1.38 kg and enduring 36 +/- 6 minutes. The two groups differed from one another for their plasma and blood volumes, their values being 42.6 +/- 3.8 ml/kg and 67.5 +/- 7.5 ml/kg or 33.5 +/- 3.4 ml/kg and 52.2 +/- 5.9 ml/kg. The groups produced quantitatively different responses to endurance stress. The demands implied in endurance were widely met by the circulatory system, while the energy transfer was characterised primarily by aerobic energy collection.     

Distribution of trypsin and -amylase activities in the duodenum of the domestic fowl

Trypsin and α‐amylase activities were found in the chyme from each of four quarters of the duodenum from White Leghorn cockerels aged 14 to 16 weeks. The average trypsin activity in the chyme from the first three quarters was 45 per cent of that found in the fourth quarter; that for a‐amylase was 23 per cent. These differences are highly significant. Activities of each enzyme in the first three quarters did not differ significantly.

Chromic oxide was not an adequate internal reference marker for use in this type of study.

The findings are discussed in relation to the peristaltic activity of the fowl's duodenum and the role of the duodenum in the digestive process.     

2005年一季度国内养猪市场分析回顾及后市展望

今年一季度国内养猪市场继续保持“旺热”势头,形势好于预期。活猪价虽逐渐回落,但仍保持高位运行;养殖效益在猪价、饲料价格同步回落的影响下仍保持较高赢利,处于头均盈利150元以上的高盈利区：仔猪补栏在养殖高盈利的刺激下．积极性仍然较高,仔猪价格在“春节”前随活猪价格回落而回落,但节后便与活猪价反向而行．活猪价持续回落,而仔猪价却“快速反弹”。根据前期补栏情况及当前市场形势分析,猪市后市仍将以平稳回落为主,养殖效益仍将保持在相当水平,二季度有可能处于正常盈利区。     

Echocardiographic evidence for myocardial failure induced by taurine deficiency in domestic cats.

Dietary taurine-deficiency is a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in cats. While the incidence of clinical cases of feline DCM has markedly decreased since the association between DCM and taurine-deficiency was first recognized, not all cats maintained on taurine-deficient diets develop DCM. The objective was to temporally evaluate left ventricular (LV) function using M-mode echocardiography in 23 cats maintained on a taurine-deficient diet; 20 time-matched, taurine-supplemented cats served as controls. The duration of feeding trials ranged from 6-15 months. No diminution of myocardial function was recorded in a small number of taurine-deficient cats whereas cardiac performance in some taurine-deficient cats diminished to levels characteristic of DCM. Of the taurine-deficient cats, 17 (74%) experienced a greater than 25% reduction in fractional shortening and 21 (91%) had a greater than 25% increase in LV end-systolic short-axis diameter. On average, LV end-systolic short-axis diameter increased by 70% and fractional shortening decreased by 37% in taurine-deficient cats. Mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening was similarly reduced in taurine-deficient cats. The greatest rate of change in M-mode echocardiographic variables occurred during the first four months on the taurine-deficient diet. Dietary taurine deficiency leads to a spectrum of changes in myocardial function in domestic cats. While DCM is observed in some cats, decreased systolic pump function and increased LV end-systolic short-axis diameter are more consistent findings.     

Distribution of orexin B and its relationship with GnRH in the pig hypothalamus

Increasing evidence suggests that orexins--hypothalamic neuropeptides--act as neurotransmitters or neuromediators in the brain, regulating autonomic and neuroendocrine functions. Orexins are closely associated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the preoptic area and alter luteinizing hormone (LH) release, suggesting that they regulate reproduction. Here, we investigated the distribution of orexin B (immunohistochemical technique) and the relationship between orexin B and GnRH containing fibres and neurons in the pig hypothalamus using double immunofluorescence and laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Orexin B immunoreactive neurons were mainly localized in the perifornical area (PeF), dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH), zona incerta (ZI) and the posterior hypothalamic area (PH), with a sparser distribution in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic area. Immunoreactive fibres were distributed throughout the central nervous system. Approximately 30% GnRH neurons were in close contact with orexin B immunoreactive fibres, among these approximately 6% of GnRH neurons co-localized with orexin B perikarya in the region between the caudal preoptic area and the anterior hypothalamic area. Orexin B may regulate reproduction by altering LH release in the hypothalamus.     

猪延髓中微血管及静脉注射呕吐毒素后阳性细胞的分布

应用组织学方法对猪延髓微血管及静脉注射呕吐毒素(DON)后在猪延髓的分布进行了初步观察.结果显示,进入延髓的动脉有较厚的弹性纤维膜,平滑肌层厚度为弹性膜的一半,向背侧延伸的分支,管壁薄,仅见内皮细胞和周细胞.在网状结构与纤维束间见有微血管,管壁未见弹性纤维.电镜免疫组化染色结果显示,延髓最后区毛细血管内皮细胞间有的部位有紧密连接,而有些部位缺失,内皮细胞与胶质细胞之间有较宽的空隙,有些部位缺少周细胞.D()N免疫阳性反应为棕褐色或棕黄色颗粒,主要分布于延髓微动脉管壁及最后区毛细血管周边神经元细胞质中,细胞核内量少或无反应.结果表明,猪延髓内不同部位的微血管的分布及结构均有差异,为猪的中枢神经系统脑血管的组织学增加了内容.