A COMPLEMENT-FIXATION TEST FOR ENZOOTIC PNEUMONIA OF PIGS USING A COMPLEMENT DILUTION METHOD

Complement-fixing antibody to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in the serums of pigs experimentally infected with enzootic pneumonia was demonstrated by comparing the haemolytic titre of guinea-pig complement titrated in the presence of heated test serum, M. hyopneumoniae antigen and unheated normal pig serum with the titre obtained when the antigen was omitted. The haemolytic titres against sensitised sheep erythrocytes were determined after a fixation period of 16 to 18 hours at 5°C. When serums, collected at intervals of 3 to 7 days, from 43 pigs exposed to pigs experimentally infected with enzootic pneumonia were tested, 4.6 or more complement units were first fixed 14 to 44 (mean 23.4) days after contact began. Serums collected subsequently fixed from 4.6 to more than 31 complement units. This positive reaction usually persisted until the pigs were killed 4 to 35 weeks after contact began. Thirty-three had gross enzootic pneumonia lesions and 9 had lung lesions detected microscopically. Serum antibody was not detected in 73 weaned pigs aged 7 weeks in a pneumonia-free herd but serums from 9 of 15 unweaned piglets aged 9 to 14 days in the same herd, fixed between 3 and 7 complement units.     

酵母细胞壁多糖与铝硅酸盐复合物对猪生长性能、免疫指标及养分消化率的影响

本研究旨在探讨酵母细胞壁多糖(yeast polysaccharide,YP)与铝硅酸盐复合物(alumi-nosilicate complex,AC)对猪的生长性能、免疫指标及养分消化率的影响。试验选用平均体重为(66.18±1.26)kg的"杜×长×大"三元杂交猪140头,随机分成5组,每组4个重复,每个重复7头猪。各组分别饲喂添加不同剂量复合物的试验饲粮,A组为对照组,不添加复合物;B组添加0.1%YP;C组添加0.1%YP和0.9%AC;D组添加0.1%YP和1.9%AC;E组添加0.1%YP和2.9%AC。试验期51 d。结果表明:1)D、E组平均日增重显著低于对照组(P<0.05),各组平均日采食量和料重比差异不显著(P>0.05);2)与对照组相比,D组血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性及补体3(C3)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)水平显著提高(P<0.05),血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和补体4(C4)水平无显著差异(P>0.05);3)各组养分消化率无显著差异(P>0.05)。由此可见,YP和AC复合使用降低了育肥猪的生长性能,0.1%YP和1.9%AC同时添加可增强生长猪的免疫功能。     

Pseudorabies virus propagated in rabbit kidney-derived RK13 cells is neutralized by natural IgM antibodies in normal swine serum which specifically lyse host cells

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) propagated in rabbit kidney-derived RK-13 cells (PRV-RK) was neutralized by serum obtained from specific pathogen-free pigs through the activation of complement. The virus-neutralizing activity of swine serum was lost after treatment with ethylene glycol-bis-aminoethylether-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Anti-C1q and anti-IgM antibodies also inhibited virus-neutralizing activity. Though IgG-depleted swine serum neutralized PRV, IgM and IgG-free swine serum lost virus-neutralizing activity. Pre-incubation of swine serum with RK-13 cells, but not with swine kidney-derived CPK cells, at 4 degrees C eliminated the virus-neutralizing activity to PRV-RK. Results indicated that swine serum contained natural IgM against an antigen(s) on the RK-13 cell surface and that this surface antigen was integrated into the PRV envelope during the budding process. Thus the natural IgM in swine serum reacted with the RK-13 antigen on the viral envelope, activated the complement cascade and neutralized the PRV-RK.     

Leukocyte-dependent platelet vasoactive amine release and immune complex deposition in African swine fever

Fifteen pigs were inoculated with African swine fever virus in a study of the pathogenesis of the disease. All pigs surviving the first two weeks developed high circulating antibody titers against African swine fever virus and persistent viremia. Hemolytic complement levels declined to 50 to 70 hemolytic complement 50 (CH50) units/ml from mean preinoculation levels of 120 CH50 units/ml. Immune deposits consisting of African swine fever antigen, host immunoglobulin G, and native C3 were found in the glomeruli of surviving pigs. All pigs surviving two weeks after inoculation developed leukocyte-bound antibody functionally characteristic of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Antigen-specific degranulation of antibody-coated leukocytes produced secondary platelet aggregation and vasoactive amine release. The results suggest that the IgE-basophil-platelet loop acting via amplification by leukocyte-derived platelet-activating factor participates in the immune complex deposition process in African swine fever.     

Complement activity, serum protein, and hepatic changes in guinea pigs given sterigmatocystin or aflatoxin, alone or in combination

Effects of either sterigmatocystin or aflatoxin, alone or in combination, given orally to guinea pigs were studied. Sterigmatocystin and aflatoxin B1 given alone and in combination at 4.2 mg/day and 0.01 mg/day, respectively, markedly reduced body weight. Although changes in total serum protein were not marked in any of the guinea pigs in this study, sterigmatocystin given alone and aflatoxin given alone significantly ( less than 0.05) decreased alpha2-globulin. The combination of toxins significantly (P less than 0.01) increased albumin and significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased both alpha2- and beta-globulins. Sterigmatocystin depressed complement activity, although not significantly. However, the combination of sterimatocystin with 0.01 mg of aflatoxin B1/day (an amount that does not affect complement activity alone) significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced complement activity. Increased severity of lesions was not found in guinea pigs given aflatoxin at 0.01 mg of B1 equivalents/day in addition to the sterigmatocystin.     

Mechanism of thrombocytopenia in African swine fever

Pigs were inoculated with an African swine fever (ASF) isolate of moderate virulence, and the changes in the number of circulating blood platelets during infection were correlated with the appearance of antiviral antibody and fluctuations in total plasma hemolytic complement concentrations. Thrombocytopenia was detected by postinoculation days (PID) 7 and 8, and antiviral antibody was detected by PID 7, using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. The total hemolytic complement concentration was moderately and transiently decreased from PID 5 to 9, but was consistently low from PID 18 to 26. Pigs inoculated with an ASF virus isolate of greater virulence had a decrease in platelet counts on PID 6 and 7, and the total plasma hemolytic complement levels decreased in all pigs by PID 6 to 7. Antibody to ASF virus was not detected in pigs inoculated with the more virulent isolate. Pigs sensitized to ASF viral antigen with an inactivated-virus vaccine or by previous infection with ASF were challenge exposed. Sensitized pigs became clinically ill and thrombocytopenic by 24 to 72 hours earlier than did inoculated, nonsensitized pigs. Vaccinated pigs inoculated with homologous virus had lower blood virus concentrations than did nonvaccinated pigs. African swine fever virus-sensitized pigs inoculated with heterologous virus had a higher fatality rate than did nonsensitized pigs, and the pigs died peracutely, with only a few gross lesions in evidence. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ASF virus antigen induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma from recovered, nonviremic pigs. Viral antigen, antibody, or complement was not demonstrable on the surface of platelets from pigs inoculated with ASF virus isolate, by direct immunofluorescence testing.     

The use of a passive hemolysis system to evaluate the complement activities of six mammalian species

A passive hemolysis assay system was developed which permitted comparisons of the hemolytic activities of complement (C) from six species. This system employs a single antigen and an antiserum raised in one species. Thus, variations resulting from different target antigens and those inherent in using antibodies (of different affinities and isotypes) raised in a variety of species were minimized. Of the erythrocytes (E) examined, those from horses and guinea pigs were most susceptible to lysis, and either would be suitable, as a tentative choice, for measuring C activity of a previously unstudied species. Horse serum had the lowest C activity of any of the sera tested. It lysed certain cells only at high concentrations, and the hemolytic activity dropped off sharply with minimal dilution. The data presented in this paper could also be used for selecting target E for C studies using direct lysis with antibodies raised against the cells.     

Antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus in pigs immunized with purified virus glycoproteins

Antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) glycoproteins gII, gIII, and gp50 were compared using four in vitro tests. Antibodies generated by vaccination with a modified-live vaccine (MLV) were also compared. The serological assays employed were: serum neutralization test (SNT), complement facilitated serum neutralization test (C'SNT), complement-mediated cytolysis and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Pigs were immunized with single glycoproteins twice 14 days apart, or once with the modified-live vaccine. Fourteen days after the second immunization, sera were collected. Virus neutralizing activity (SNT) was demonstrated in the sera from all pigs immunized with gp50 and in one out of three immunized with gIII. Sera from the MLV group all had neutralization titers higher than animals immunized with single glycoproteins. Addition of guinea pig complement to the serum neutralization test (i.e., C'SNT) produced an enhancement of antibody titers in all groups except the pigs immunized with gIII. The complement-mediated cytolysis test rendered antibody titers similar in magnitude for all pigs immunized with single glycoproteins, but slightly lower than values for MLV vaccinated pigs. ADCC activity was clearly displayed in sera from pigs immunized with gIII or vaccinated with MLV, whereas sera from pigs immunized with gII or gp50 had a minimal response. The results indicate that the relative efficiency of antibodies against ADV glycoproteins in protection should be considered for selecting or producing gene-deleted strains for use in vaccine production.     

In vitro and In vivo Association of Porcine Hepatic Cytochrome P450 3A and 2C Activities with Testicular Steroids

The aim of this study was to screen the inhibitory potential of several testicular steroids on cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and 2C (CYP2C) activities in porcine liver microsomes. The microsomes used in this study were obtained from pubertal male pigs of two breeds, Landrace and Duroc. For the in vitro inhibition study, porcine microsomes were incubated in the presence of 17β‐estradiol, 17α‐estradiol, androstenone, dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Both reversible and mechanism‐based inhibitions were examined. 7‐benzyloxyresorufin (BR) and 7‐benzyloxy‐4‐trifluoromethylcoumarin (BFC) were used as substrates for CYP3A, and diclofenac and tolbutamide (TB) as substrates for CYP2C. 7‐benzyloxyresorufin O‐dealkylase (BROD) activity was inhibited by all tested steroids in the microsomes from Landrace pigs via mechanism‐based mode, but in the microsomes from Duroc pigs, BROD activities were inhibited only in the presence of 17β‐oestradiol. Mechanism‐based inhibition of BFC metabolism by the tested steroids was observed in the microsomes from both breeds, but this inhibition was weak and did not exceed 20%. TB hydroxylase (TBOH) activity in the microsomes from Duroc pigs was inhibited by 17α‐oestradiol through the mechanism‐based mode of inhibition. None of the investigated steroids inhibited TBOH activity in Landrace pigs. For the in vivo study, male pigs were injected with a single dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to stimulate testicular steroid production by the Leydig cells. In vivo stimulation with hGC did not alter BROD activity either in Landrace or in Duroc pigs. BFC metabolism was significantly induced by hCG stimulation in both breeds and TBOH activity only in Duroc pigs. Activity of diclofenac hydroxylase was not detected in either Landrace or Duroc pigs. Breed significantly affected BROD and TBOH activity with BROD being higher in Landrace and TBOH in Duroc pigs. This study improved our understanding of the role of testicular steroids in the regulation of porcine CYP450 activity.     

Serological and immunological studies of pleuropneumonia of swine caused by Haemophilus parahaemolyticus

The development of circulating antibodies for H. parahaemolyticus was studied in experimentally infected SPF pigs and in-contact SPF pigs. Blood serum titers were determined by a modified complement fixation test with normal SPF swine serum as a source of supplementary complement factor, and by an indirect haemagglutination test.CF and IHA titers became positive within the first 2 weeks following exposure to H. parahaemolyticus, and reached peak values after 2 to 7 weeks (Figs. 1 to 3). The exposed pigs proved immune, in that they showed no clinical symptoms on challenge after resp. 6, 9 and 11 weeks.While distinct titers were thus obtained with both tests in SPF swine experimentally exposed to H. parahaemolyticus, the CF test proved more specific than the IHA test when the 2 tests were compared in a field outbreak of polyserositis (Glässers disease) caused by H. parasuis. The CF test would therefore seem to be preferable to the IHA test in field diagnostic work (Table 1).A noticeable finding was that challenge did not elicit an anamnestic antibody response in any of the immune pigs (Figs. 1 to 3). This fact together with negative bacteriological findings in the animals in question would seem to suggest that the challenge dose was unable to establish a permanent infection in the respiratory tract of the immune pigs.     

Immunologic factors related to survival and performance in neonatal swine

Logistic regression was used to develop models predicting preweaning survival in 334 neonatal swine. Measured risk factors included birth weight, litter size (live born), dam parity, serum IgG concentration, serum ELISA titers recognizing common gram-negative core antigens, and serum concentrations of the third component of complement. Larger birth weights were associated with increased probability of preweaning survival. The highest mortality was observed in litters with more than 12 pigs. Pigs with serum concentration of the third component of complement (C3) in the lowest stratum, less than 20% adult pooled C3 standard (APC3), had reduced mortality, compared with high (greater than 38% APC3) and middle (20 to 38% APC3) groups. Associations between all other variables, including total serum IgG concentration and preweaning survival were not significant. Few pigs had hypogammaglobulinemia, less than 3% of the study population had serum IgG concentrations less than 1 g/dl. Of all measured variables, only birth weight and dam parity were significant predictors of preweaning gain. Larger pigs and pigs born to third or greater parity dams had more preweaning gain than other pigs.     

Excessive porcine circovirus type 2 antibody titres may trigger the development of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome: a case-control study

In a case-control study, the role of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and putative co-factors in the development of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) were investigated. Pigs with and without PDNS were examined for macroscopic lesions and histopathology. In addition, organs and tissues were collected at necropsy and examined for the presence of fibrinous deposits (immune complexes), CD8+ cells, and for the presence of bacterial and viral infections. Results from PDNS cases were compared with those of three control groups comprising pigs without clinical signs of PDNS and selected from; (1) the same compartment as PDNS cases, (2) another compartment but in the same PDNS herd, and (3) a control herd without any history of PDNS or post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. Macroscopic and histopathological lesions found in PDNS cases were comparable to those previously documented for PDNS e.g. skin lesions and renal lesions representing glomerulonephritis associated with fibrinous deposits and to a lesser extent with interstitial nephritis. PCV2 was detected by PCR in 100% of the PDNS cases, mainly in lymph nodes and tonsils, and in 63% of the control pigs from PDNS free herds. Virus isolation did not reveal infectious PCV2 in all cases. In PDNS affected pigs the PCV2 serum antibody titres were consistently extremely high and the mean PCV2 antibody titre in PDNS pigs was significantly higher than the mean PCV2 antibody titres in pigs from all 3 control groups. Immunohistochemical investigation of kidneys from PDNS affected pigs revealed an increased accumulation of IgG1 + IgG2 and IgM, the complement factors C1q and C3, but also an increase of CD8+ cells. The amounts of IgA and the complement factor C5 in kidneys of PDNS pigs were only slightly increased as compared to control pigs. This study demonstrates that PCV2 infections can result in extremely high PCV2 antibody titres and that PCV2 is a candidate as primary agent in the development of PDNS. The causative physiological basis for PDNS may be the excessive levels of PCV2 antibodies.     

Latent infection and subsequent reactivation of pseudorabies virus in swine exposed to pseudorabies virus while nursing immune dams

The ability of pseudorabies virus (PRV) to infect and establish latency in pigs with passively acquired (maternal) antibody for PRV was tested by exposing such pigs to the virus and subsequently attempting to reactivate latent virus by administering large doses of dexamethasone. Pigs of each of 4 litters that had nursed gilts with relatively high (512, gilts 1 and 2), moderate (32, gilt 3), and no (less than 2, gilt 4) serum titers of virus-neutralizing (VN) antibodies for PRV were allotted to 3 treatment groups (A, B, C) when they were 2 weeks old. Group-A pigs were separated from littermates and dam and thereafter kept in isolation; group-B pigs were experimentally exposed oronasally to PRV and 1 hour later returned to their dam; group-C pigs were kept with their dam and potentially exposed to PRV by contact with littermates of group B. Sera obtained from pigs at selected intervals until they were 17 weeks old were tested for VN activity and for precipitating activity for radiolabeled viral proteins. All group-A pigs remained clinically normal throughout the experiment. Depending on the initial amount of passively acquired antibody, little or no serum VN or precipitating activity remained by the time these pigs were 17 weeks old. Group-B and -C pigs, with relatively high amounts of passively acquired antibody when exposed to PRV, also remained clinically normal. However, most became latently infected as subsequently evidenced by either dexamethasone-induced or noninduced virus reactivation. Noninduced reactivation may have been initiated by weaning the pigs when they were about 8 weeks old.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

长期饲喂发酵全价饲料对猪生长、粪便臭味物质、血清抗氧化及免疫性能指标的影响

本试验旨在研究长期饲喂发酵全价饲料对生长猪生长性能、粪便臭味物质、血清抗氧化及免疫性能相关指标的影响。试验以地衣芽孢杆菌和乳酸菌为混合发酵菌剂制备发酵全价饲料。选择90头22 kg左右的约荣二元杂交猪,随机分成3组,每组6个重复,每个重复5头猪,分别饲喂无抗饲料(对照组),含抗生素的饲料(抗生素组)和发酵全价饲料(发酵组)。饲喂2个月后,测定各试验组猪的生长性能、粪便pH、挥发性臭味物质的含量及血清抗氧化指标、免疫球蛋白水平。结果显示:①全价饲料经发酵后,总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)极显著提高(P<0.01),还原力和羟自由基清除力均有升高趋势(P>0.05)。②饲喂两个月发酵全价饲料对各组猪的平均日采食量(ADFI)、平均日增重(ADG)、料重比(F/G)影响均不显著(P>0.05)。③各组猪的粪便pH及对甲酚、吲哚、粪臭素、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、戊酸含量差异均不显著(P>0.05),但发酵组的异戊酸含量显著低于抗生素组(P<0.05)。④各组猪的血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,T-AOC及丙二醛(MDA)含量差异均不显著(P>0.05);与对照组相比,发酵组血清免疫球蛋白M(IgM)水平有升高趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05),补体蛋白4(C4)含量显著升高(P<0.05),这两项指标与抗生素组相比差异不显著(P>0.05)。综合试验结果,长期饲喂发酵全价饲料对猪生长,粪便pH,粪便主要臭味物质含量及血清抗氧化指标、IgG、IgM水平没有显著影响,没有延续短期饲喂的优势。     

Biochemical, hematologic, immunologic and cytogenetic study of papillary dermatitis in fattened pigs

Examinations were performed of 31 fattened pigs suffering from papular dermatitis (PD) and 33 fattened pigs without dermal changes (C) coming from the D. large pig-fattening farm and the production breeding herd of pigs. The weight of the pigs was from 95 to 105 kg. Both farms are sited in a mining area (intensive lignite extraction). The PD pigs, compared with the controls (C), had less total protein, cholesterol and calcium in their blood serum and increased concentrations of thyroxine (T4), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), vitamins A and E, inorganic phosphorus and potassium, and the higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. The PD pigs also had an increased leucocyte count in blood. In their peripheral lymphocytes the PD pigs had a significantly higher number of aberrant cells, 3.9 times higher number of chromosome breaks, slightly increased rate of sister chromatid exchanges, but half the number of chromosome exchanges of the C pigs. No differences between PD pigs and the controls were recorded in the response of the T-lymphocytes of peripheral blood to non-specific phytohaemagglutinin stimulation; neither were there any substantial differences in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins of the IgG, IgM and IgA classes. The PD and C pigs of both herds (the D. and M. farms) had low concentrations of all three serum immunoglobulins. The higher occurrence of PD in the D. herd, compared with the M. farm, is associated with a greater reduction of serum immunoglobulins (IgM by 38%, IgA by 25%, IgG by 15%).     

A cross-protection experiment in pigs vaccinated with Haemophilus parasuis serovars 2 and 5 bacterins, and evaluation of a bivalent vaccine under laboratory and field conditions.

Cross-protection between Haemophilus parasuis serovars 2 and 5 was examined in pigs using a bacterin based vaccine, and subsequently the safety and efficacy of a bivalent vaccine were evaluated. Upon intratracheal challenge of a serovar 2 or 5 strain, pigs immunized with a monovalent vaccine were protected against challenge with a homologous serovar strain, but not with a heterologous serovar strain. Immunization with a bivalent vaccine containing both serovars 2 and 5 bacterins conferred protection in pigs against lethal challenge with each of the serovar strains. A total of 86 pigs from two SPF herds were injected with the bivalent vaccine intramuscularly twice at a four-week interval. No adverse reactions following the vaccination were observed. On day 7 after the second vaccination, vaccinated and non-vaccinated control pigs from herd A were transferred to herd B, where Glasser's disease had broken out. Pigs in the control group developed clinical signs of the disease, and 6 of 8 (75%) pigs died until slaughter, in contrast with only 4 of 46 (9%) pigs in the vaccinated group. In herd C, where there was no outbreak of Glasser's disease, complement fixation antibody titer was raised only in the vaccinated group. A challenge experiment on days 20 and 79 after the second vaccination showed that only the vaccinated pigs were protected. From these findings, the safety and efficacy of the bivalent vaccine were confirmed under laboratory and field conditions.     

Age-related variations in serum concentrations of the third component of complement in swine

Single radial immunodiffusion was used to determine the concentration of the third component of complement (C3) in serum from swine in the following age groups; 36 to 60 hours (neonates), 6 to 7 weeks (weanlings), 4 to 5 months (adolescents) and greater than 1 year (adults). Mean serum C3 concentrations, expressed as the percentage of pooled reference sera from 15 adult swine for the 4 groups were 23, 123, 119, and 98%. With the exception of mean values for weanlings and adolescents, all comparisons of group means were significantly different. Regression models were developed to estimate serum C3 concentration in neonates as a function of litter size, birth weight, and total serum IgG concentration. Increases in birth weight and litter size were accompanied by increased serum C3 concentration, possibly reflecting ontogenic variation of the complement system at the end of gestation. Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins, as measured by total serum IgG concentration, was inversely related to serum C3 concentration in neonatal swine, suggesting that colostral absorption of C3 has minimal impact on complement activity in neonatal swine.     

Influence of major histocompatibility genes on serum hemolytic complement activity in miniature swine

Total serum hemolytic complement (CH50) activity was determined for 3 semi-inbred strains of miniature swine (SLAa, SLAc, and SLAd) and 1 recombinant strain SLAg (ABCcDd), each homozygous for a distinct major histocompatibility complex haplotype. Initial determination was made at 8 weeks of age, prior to standardized immunization, the second at age 12 weeks, after immunization. Analysis of variance was by least-squares method, using a linear model on data from 33 litters by 14 sires and 16 dams. Analysis of variance indicated that the combined effects of haplotype, sire, dam, litter, and gender accounted for 47.63% of the total variation in preimmunization CH50 values. Dam (P less than or equal to 0.06) and litter (P less than or equal to 0.03) significantly influenced preimmunization complement activity. Although swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) haplotype was not significant in the model, least-squares mean comparisons between haplotypes suggested that ac, dg, and gg pigs tended to have comparatively low preimmunization CH50 values. The model did not account for significant variability in postimmunization CH50 values, but least-squares means indicated that dd, dg, and gg haplotypes tended to have lower values than did other haplotypes tested. Mean CH50 units for 8- and 12-week-old pigs were 41.32 +/- 20.49 and 59.50 +/- 54.35, respectively. There was a significant difference (P less than or equal to 0.001) in CH50 activity between 8- and 12-week-old pigs associated with immunization, because CH50 of nonimmunized controls did not differ at 8 and 12 weeks.     

A comparative examination of swine sera for antibody to Aujeszky virus with the conventional and a modified virus-serum neutralization test and a modified direct complement fixation test.

Sera of pigs from élite breeding herds, of boars and sows collected at slaughter-houses, and of pigs from herds known to be infected, were examined for antibody to Aujeszky virus. The conventional and a modified virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) test and a modified direct complement fixation (CF) test were employed. In simultaneous titrations of positive sera the modified VNA test gave titers approx. 4 log2 units above the titers obtained by the conventional test. The conventional VNA test was found insufficiently sensitive. Unspecific neutralization in the modified VNA test was infrequent in serum dilution 1/2 and rare in dilution 1/4. The GF tests on sera of slaughter sows and animals from known infected herds showed a remarkable consistency with the VNA tests. Inconsistent results were obtained with but few sera. Abt. 5 % of the sera could not be examined because of complement fixation with control antigen.     

Influence of a high ambient temperature on lipid metabolism in the growing pig

Because pigs are fatter when they are heat-stressed, it was hypothesized that lipid metabolism is enhanced in heat-stressed pigs. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to determine the influence of a high ambient temperature on the level of plasma lipids, thyroid hormones, lipoprotein lipase activity, and on the composition of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons in the growing pig. Twelve Large White x Landrace castrated male pigs with an initial weight of 20 +/- 0.6 kg were allotted to one of the following treatments: 1) ambient temperature of 31 degrees C, with ad libitum access to feed or 2) ambient temperature of 20 degrees C and fed the amount consumed by those kept at 31 degrees C until 35 kg BW. Ambient temperature did not affect piglet performance. Compared to that in pigs kept at 20 degrees C, in pigs kept at 31 degrees C the lipid content of backfat was 26% higher and the proportion of flare fat was increased by more than twofold (P < 0.001). Lipoprotein lipase activity was increased more than twofold in backfat and nearly twofold in leaf fat at 31 vs 20 degrees C (P < 0.001). In warmth-exposed (31 degrees C), feed-restricted pigs, the plasma level of triiodothyronine was 30% lower than at 20 degrees C (P < 0.001), whereas VLDL-lipid concentration was more than fourfold higher, and plasma concentrations of NEFA and triglycerides were 2.6- and 3.6-fold higher, respectively (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the chronic exposure of growing pigs to a high ambient temperature enhances lipid metabolism in both the liver (VLDL production) and the adipose tissue (lipoprotein lipase activity). Consequently, plasma triglyceride uptake and storage are facilitated in the adipose tissue, which results in greater fatness.