Modulation of growth hormone-releasing factor-induced release of growth hormone from bovine pituitary cells

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing factor (GRF) at concentrations of 10−¹² through 10−⁷M for 6 hr linearly increased GH release (b₁ = 10.4 ± .3) from bovine anterior pituitary cells in culture. Maximum release of GH (262% above controls) occurred at 10−⁷M GRF. In contrast, GH release-inhibiting factor (SRIF) at 10−¹² through 10−⁵M had no effect on basal concentrations of GH. In a second experiment, as the proportion of SRIF relative to GRF increased. SRIF suppression of GRF-induced GH release from anterior pituitary cells increased. In a third experiment, anterior pituitary cells cultured in media containing fetal calf serum (FCS) were treated with cortisol (0 or 10 ng/ml media) for 24 hr before exposure to 10−¹³ through 10−⁷M GRF. GRF linearly increased GH secretion (b₁ = 7.4 ± .3) and cortisol augmented this response (b₁ = 10.5 ± .6). However, when cells were cultured in media containing dextran-charcoal treated FCS, cortisol did not alter GRF-induced GH release. Our results demonstrate that GH response of bovine anterior pituitary cells to GRF was modulated negatively by SRIF. However, augmentation of GRF-induced GH release by cortisol was evident only when cells were cultured in media supplemented with untreated FCS.     

Identification and partial purification of serum growth hormone binding protein in domestic animal species.

The chemical nature and variations in serum concentrations of growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) from humans, rabbits, and rodents have been reported. To date little is known about the GHBP of domestic animals. Therefore, we initiated these studies to determine whether a serum GHBP was present in domestic animals and to purify the binding protein (BP) from serum of selected species. Using a dextran-coated charcoal separation assay, specific growth hormone (GH) binding was demonstrated in ovine, bovine, chicken, human, goose, porcine, and equine serum (listed in sequence from lowest to highest binding). Variation in BP activity was relatively high, both within and between species. Yearling ewes had higher serum GHBP than either prepubertal (4 mo) or older (5 yr) ewes. The GHBP was partially purified from chicken, ovine, and porcine serum using GH affinity chromatography. These BP had high affinity (Ka = 2 x 10(8) to 2 x 10(9) L/mol, depending on species) and low capacity (2 x 10(-10) to 5 x 10(-11) mol/unit of protein) for human GH but showed lower binding affinity for homologous GH (Ka = 2 x 10(7) L/mol). The porcine GHBP had the highest and ovine GHBP the lowest affinity for human GH. Other heterologous somatotropic hormones, ovine placental lactogen, and ovine GH displayed higher binding affinity to chicken and pig BP than the respective homologous hormones. Further chromatographic purification of the porcine GHBP resulted in an additional 1,000-fold purification. The estimated molecular weight of porcine GHBP is 50,000 to 60,000 Da. These results demonstrate that the serum from all domestic species tested contains a specific GH-binding moiety and that under the conditions described here human GH is a more efficient ligand than the homologous hormone.     

Bovine lactoferrin binds to insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) has been shown to have IGF independent actions that appear to be mediated by specific IGFBP-3 binding proteins located on cell membranes. We show here using Western ligand blotting, a number of mammary membrane proteins that bind ¹²⁵I-labeled rhIGFBP-3. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that the >70 kDa protein was identified from bovine mammary microsomes as bovine lactoferrin (bLf). In addition to being a secretory protein, Lf is tightly associated with cellular membranes. Labeled rhIGFBP-3 was shown to bind to commercially purchased and processed apo- or holo-human or bLf, but not bovine transferrin (bTf). Binding of [¹²⁵I]rhIGFBP-3 to other positively charged proteins was not detected nor was binding to rhIGFBP-5 or other mammary-secreted IGFBPs observed. Reciprocal specific binding of [¹²⁵I]bLf to rhIGFBP-3 was shown, but [¹²⁵I]bTf did not show binding to rhIGFBP-3. While [¹²⁵I]rhIGF-II does not bind to bLf, unlabeled rhIGF-II was shown to compete with [¹²⁵I]bLf for rhIGFBP-3 binding. More detailed analysis by dot blot showed that Lf competes (ED₅₀=3 μg/ml) or displaces (ED₅₀=1 mg/ml) bound [¹²⁵I]rhIGF-II from dot blotted rhIGFBP-3. In vitro studies with a bovine primary mammary epithelial cell culture showed that all-trans-retinoic acid stimulates the appearance of bovine IGFBP-3 and bLf in the conditioned media and that [¹²⁵I]rhIGFBP-3 could be utilized to detect conditioned media bLf. These findings reveal a novel role for bLf, binding to IGFBP-3 and perhaps disassociating IGFBP-3:IGF when in high concentration.     

Inability of heterologous growth hormone (GH) to regulate GH binding protein in GH-transgenic swine

Transgenic pigs expressing bovine, ovine, or human growth hormone (GH) structural genes fused to mouse metallothionein-I (mMT-bGH), ovine MT (oMT-oGH), or mouse transferrin (mTf-hGH) promoters were used to study the effects of GH on the regulation of serum GH-binding protein (GHBP). In the 14 transgenic pigs studied, circulating concentrations of heterologous GH ranged from 15 to 2,750 ng/mL. Using chromatographic methods, specific binding of GH was detected in serum from normal pigs but was undetectable in serum from all the transgenic pigs used, probably as a result of the high serum concentrations of heterologous GH present in these animals. Thus, to avoid interference of binding by high GH concentrations, serum samples were subjected to immunoblotting using a specific anti-GHBP antibody. A specific 54-kDa band was detected in normal pig serum as well as in sera from mMT-bGH, oMT-oGH, and mTf-hGH pigs. Additionally, sera from transgenic mMT-bGH pigs and their sibling controls were subjected to immunoprecipitation with an anti-GHBP antibody followed by immunoblotting with the same antibody. With this technique, we detected two specific bands of 53 and 45 kDa that could represent different degrees of glycosylation of GHBP. As determined by densitometric analysis the amount of GHBP in transgenic pig sera was similar to that detected in sera of the respective control animals. The amount of circulating GHBP remained unchanged even in oMT-oGH and mTf-hGH pigs that were exposed from birth to circulating concentrations of GH as high as 2,750 ng/mL. Thus, we conclude that heterologous GH do not act as modulators ofthe serum GHBP in pigs.     

基于Meta分析的母羊泌乳模型构建及泌乳性能预测

母羊泌乳量不仅关乎母羊自身营养需求,也是影响羔羊生长发育的重要因素,准确预测母羊泌乳量在母羊和羔羊精准饲养中具有现实意义。本文利用方差倒数Meta分析方法研究母羊泌乳曲线模型及泌乳参数,并对其泌乳性能进行预测。分别在Web of Science、CNKI等文献数据库中检索母羊泌乳曲线及影响因素的相关文献,依据纳入标准筛选和提取泌乳曲线相关参数,采用方差倒数Meta分析方法进行合并,综合评估母羊泌乳曲线及其影响因素。共纳入文献22篇,提取数据98条。结果显示：山羊泌乳曲线模型为y=0.943 8t^{0.359 9}e⁽(-0.008 5t)),绵羊为y=0.677 2t^{0.349 4}e⁽(-0.014 0t)),乳用山羊为y=1.143 7t^{0.318 7}e⁽(-0.008 0t)),非乳用山羊为y=0.419 0t^{0.468 1}e⁽(-0.011 8t)),乳用绵羊为y=0.796 8t^{0.256 2}     

Ontogeny of a specific high-affinity binding site for ovine placental lactogen in fetal and postnatal liver

Ovine placental lactogen (oPL) exerts actions in sheep and rodent fetal tissues that growth hormone (GH) does not. However, in postnatal tissues, both oPL and GH possess these activities. Although a high-affinity binding site for oPL in ovine fetal liver has been reported, some investigators believe this to be the GH receptor. It was our objective to discriminate between oPL and GH binding to fetal liver microsomes using competitive saturation analyses. Microsomal membranes from fetal liver (Days 60, 90, 105, 120, and 135 of gestation) and postnatal liver (1 wk of age) were incubated with increasing amounts of [¹²⁵I]oPL in the absence or presence of a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled oPL. Saturable binding of [¹²⁵I]oPL was observed with fetal liver and postnatal liver microsomes. The K_d of the oPL-binding site in fetal liver was 122.1 ± 8.2 pM (mean ± standard error), and receptor concentrations remained relatively constant (9.8 ± 1.1 fmol/mg of membrane protein) across gestation. The highest concentration of oPL binding was detected in 1-wk postnatal liver microsomes (53.0 fmol/mg of membrane protein). Saturation analyses using [¹²⁵I]GH and [¹²⁵I] prolactin (PRL) were also conducted with fetal liver membrane preparations. Although specific binding for these two radiolabeled ligands was observed in control tissues, no specific binding was observed in fetal liver. These data are in agreement with earlier reports that a high-affinity binding site for oPL exists in fetal tissues. The fact that saturable binding could not be demonstrated for either GH or PRL with fetal liver microsomes contradicts recent suggestions that oPL is binding the GH receptor.     

不同月份产羔母羊泌乳期生殖激素与生长激素监测

为了解不同月份生产的奶山羊泌乳期生殖激素与生长激素(GH)变化规律,随机抽取1、3、5和8月份分娩的奶山羊各10只,于分娩后0 d、7 d、1~8个月(每月的第15天)时采集母羊静脉血,分离血清,采用ELISA试剂盒检测母羊外周血中催乳素(PRL)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)、雌激素(E₂)、孕酮(P₄)和GH水平变化。结果显示:不同月份产羔母羊泌乳期间外周血中同一激素的动态变化趋势一致;在整个泌乳期间,1、3、5、8月份产羔母羊PRL、FSH、LH、P₄、E₂、GH含量的动态变化范围分别为446.17~221.72 ng·L^-1、9.49~3.82 U·L^-1、351.17~218.16 pg·mL^-1、4086.83~3568.15 pmol·L^-1,33.74~22.30 ng·L^-1、30.36~11.57μg·L^-1;不同月份产羔母羊外周血中GH水平在相同泌乳期均无显著差异(P>0.05),FSH水平在0 d有显著差异(P<0.05),P₄水平在8个月时有显著差异(P<0.05),PRL水平在泌乳的0 d和2、3、8个月时有显著差异(P<0.05),LH水平在泌乳的0 d、2个月时有显著差异(P<0.05),E₂水平在泌乳0 d、3个月和8个月时有显著差异(P<0.05)。结果表明:奶山羊产羔月份的不同对泌乳期间的激素水平有一定的影响,但动态变化趋势一致。     

CpG-ODN enhances mammary gland defense during mastitis induced by Escherichia coli infection in goats

Seven healthy native goats in early lactation, weighing 30–40 kg, were used in this study. The right mammary gland of the seven does were infused with CpG-ODN at a dosage of 100 μg kg⁻¹ body weight on the day 5 postpartum (PP). The left glands were used as controls and infused with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). On day 8 PP, the same dosage of CpG-ODN or PBS was again infused. On day 9 PP, the mammary glands (both right and left) of the seven does were infused with 6 × 10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU) Escherichia coli and, at 0, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h postinfection (PI), milk samples were collected from all glands. Goats were euthanized at 72 h PI and the mammary tissue harvested. Infusion with 6 × 10⁶ CFU ml⁻¹ E. coli induced acute mastitis. Histopathological evaluations showed that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were still present in alveoli at 72 h PI, but PMNs in the CpG-ODN-treated glands has disappeared. Bacteria counts in milk peaked at 16 h PI and CpG-ODN induced a significant decrease in viable bacteria from 16 h PI until the end of the experiment. This study showed that CpG-ODN promoted the expression of its specific receptor (TLR-9 mRNA) in mammary tissue, stimulated IL-6 production, reduced bacteria counts in milk, attenuated the impact of inflammation mediators on cells and significantly shortened the inflammation course. These results suggest that the CpG-ODN improved mammary gland defense and, thereby, had a beneficial effects against mastitis caused by E. coli infection in goats.     

Capability of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes in goat feces in the southeastern United States: dose titration and dose time interval studies

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes, particularly Haemonchus contortus, is a major constraint to goat production in the southeastern United States. Non-anthelmintic control alternatives are needed due to increasing resistance of these nematodes to available anthelmintics. Two studies were completed in Central Georgia in August 1999, and April–May 2000, using Spanish does naturally infected with Haemonchus contortus, Trichostongylus colubriformis, and Cooperia spp. to evaluate effectiveness of nematode-trapping fungi as a biological control agent. In the first experiment, five levels of Duddingtonia flagrans spores were mixed with a complete diet and fed once daily to the does (three per treatment) in metabolism crates. The treatment concentrations were (1) 5×10⁵, (2) 2.5×10⁵, (3) 10⁵, and (4) 5×10⁴ spores per kilogram body weight (BW), and (5) no spores. Fungal spores were fed for the first 7 days of the 14-day trial, and fecal samples were collected daily from individual animals for analysis of fecal egg count and establishment of fecal cultures. Efficacy of the fungus at reducing development of infective larvae (L3) in the fecal cultures was evaluated. The mean reduction in L3 from day 2 of the treatment period until the day after treatment stopped (days 2–8) was 93.6, 80.2, 84.1, and 60.8% for animals given the highest to lowest spore doses, respectively. Within 3–6 days after termination of fungal spore feedings, reduction in L3 development was no longer apparent in any of the treated animals. In a second experiment, effectiveness of 2.5×10⁵ spores of D. flagrans per kilogram BW fed to does every day, every second day, and every third day was evaluated. Reduction in L3 development by daily feeding was less in the second experiment than in the first experiment. Daily fungal spore feeding provided more consistent larval reduction than intermittant feeding (every second or third day). When fed daily under controlled conditions, D. flagrans was effective in significantly reducing development of L3 and appears to be an effective tool for biocontrol of parasitic nematodes in goats.     

Assessment of factors regulating serum growth hormone binding protein in pigs.

These studies were conducted to examine the influence of several variables on the growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) activity in serum of pigs. Continuous long-term porcine somatotropin (pST) injections (daily for 6 to 7 wk) increased GHBP activity (P less than .05). However, periodic short-term pST injections (daily, every 2nd d, or every 4th d for 2 wk) did not cause a significant change in GHBP levels (P greater than .40). Although fasting seems to reduce liver GH receptors, no difference was observed between fed animals and animals fasted for 5 d (P greater than .30). Between 0 and 6 mo of age, boar and gilt serum GHBP activity were not significantly different from each other but increased with age in both sexes (P less than .0001). There was no significant correlation between serum GHBP and BW at 6 mo of age in this study (P greater than .30). In pregnant sows, GHBP concentrations were highest at the beginning (d 72) of the third trimester (P less than .05). Growth hormone receptor activity reported by other researchers and GHBP activity in this study seem to vary similarly except during fasting, which may indicate alternate regulation of either the GHBP or the GH receptor.     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌对奶牛泌乳性能、乳成分及血清生化、免疫和抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究解淀粉芽孢杆菌对奶牛泌乳性能、乳成分及血清生化、免疫和抗氧化指标的影响.选用30头胎次、初始体重、产奶量、泌乳天数相近的中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为3组,每组10头.3组奶牛分别补饲0(对照组)、5×109、5×1010 CFU/d解淀粉芽孢杆菌.采用全混合日粮(TMR)饲喂,预试期10 d,正试期42 d....     

Performance of a Johne's disease enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay adapted for milk samples from goats.

Antibody detection-based tests for paratuberculosis offer speed and economy, 2 diagnostic test attributes important to animal industries with narrow profit margins. Application of such tests to individual milk samples instead of serum samples can further improve testing efficiency and decrease testing cost. Accuracy of a commercial bovine paratuberculosis enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) adapted for use on goat serum and milk samples was determined. Fecal, blood, and milk samples were collected from 159 goats belonging to 2 Wisconsin goat herds with a prior history of paratuberculosis and 1 herd of 50 goats from a paratuberculosis-free Wisconsin herd. Fecal samples were cultured using the modified BACTEC 12B media. Sera were tested according to the manufacturer's instructions for bovine samples. Milk samples were centrifuged and mixed with the ELISA kit's Mycobacterium phlei-containing diluent at a ratio of 1:2. Using fecal culture as the "gold standard," the sensitivity of the ELISA on goat serum was 64% and the sensitivity of the ELISA on goat milk was 48%. The milk ELISA had higher agreement with fecal culture results (kappa = 0.525) than the serum ELISA (kappa = 0.425). ELISA specificity was 100% on both serum and milk. Regression analysis also showed good correlation between serum and milk S/P values (r2 = 0.67). Although less sensitive, the ELISA on goat milk samples appears to offer a useful, low-cost alternative for detection of goats with paratuberculosis that have progressed to the stage of shedding M. paratuberculosis in their feces.     

Injection of porcine growth hormone releasing hormone gene plasmid in skeletal muscle increases piglets' growth and whole body protein turnover

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of a porcine growth hormone releasing hormone (pGHRH) gene plasmid injection in piglets on growth performance and whole body protein turnover. Sixty male Canadian Landrace × Chinese Taihu piglets were assigned to an intramuscular injection of 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg. All pigs were fed with the same diet (crude protein: 239.8 g/kg, digestible energy: 14.28 MJ/kg) at ad libitum intake. Protein turnover was determined on the 22nd day with a three-pool model by using a single-dosage, end-product analysis method with ¹⁵ N-glycine as a tracer. Injection of the pGHRH gene plasmid increased the piglets' growth rate, altered feed intake and decreased feed conversion ratio. It increased plasma growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and somatostatin but reduced serum urea and triglyceride. It reduced the urinary nitrogen excretion and led to higher nitrogen retention as well as the efficiencies of nitrogen retention and digestible N utilization. It increased the rates of protein synthesis, protein breakdown and net protein gain. Excretion of endogenous urinary nitrogen was reduced and nitrogen reutilization rate was improved. Conclusions: Injection of the pGHRH gene plasmid in skeletal muscle stimulated GHRH, GH and IGF-I excretion in piglets. Protein deposition was increased by an increase in protein synthesis and a smaller increase in protein breakdown, which was accompanied by reducing amino acid oxidation and increasing nitrogen reutilization.     

In vitro stimulation of bovine milk lymphocytes standardization of the assay for bovine brucellosis

Lymphocytes of bovine milk origin were investigated by immunostimulation in vitro to standardize the assay for measuring the immune responses of the cells which might be useful in further understanding the immunopathology and diagnosis of bovine brucellosis. The lymphocytes were separated from whole freshly collected milk by centrifugation. The pellet of lymphocytes was washed in RPMI-1640 medium, cultured at different concentrations for different days and with Brucella abortus soluble antigen strain 1119-3 and Concanavalin A. Each culture was labelled with 1.0 μCi of methyl-[³H]thymidine 16–18 hours prior to termination of incubation at 37 C. Termination was done by cooling to 4 C. The cells were harvested for liquid scintillation counting spectrometry. In the groups of calfhood vaccinated cows and nonexposed milkers, a milk lymphocyte concentration of 2.0 × 10⁶/ml of medium yielded a statistically significant blastogenesis. The Brucella abortus soluble antigen concentration of 4.4 μg of protein/well was found optimal to induce significant immunostimulation. A period of 4 days of incubation of the milk lymphocyte in the test was found optimal in inducing statistically significant blastogenesis in this system.     

Experimental infection of pregnant and lactating goats with Leptospira interrogans serovars hardjo and szwajizak

Pathogenesis of 2 Leptospira serovars, hardjo and szwajizak, was studied in pregnant and lactating goats. Although clinical signs of leptospiral infection were minimal, cultural isolations were made from the mammary gland of 2 goats and the kidney of 1 goat inoculated with serovar hardjo (C846). The isolations were made only on solid bovine albumin polysorbate-80 medium supplemented either with rabbit serum or sodium pyruvate. Cultural isolations of serovar szwajizak were made from kidney, liver, brain, urine, and mammary gland samples of 1 goat and the liver and kidney samples of its kids. These isolations were made in only the solid bovine albumin polysorbate-80 medium which had been supplemented with normal goat serum.     

Dose effect of human growth hormone-releasing factor and thyrotropin-releasing factor on hormone concentrations in lactating dairy cows

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF) administration on hormone concentrations in dairy cows. In the first trial, 12 cows were used on 5 consecutive days to determine the effect of four sc doses of GRF (0, 1.1, 3.3 and 10 μg•kg⁻¹ BW) and three sc doses of TRF (0, 1.1 and 3.3 μg•kg⁻¹ BW) combined in a factorial arrangement. GRF and TRF acted in synergy (P = .02) on serum growth hormone (GH) concentration even at the lowest dose tested and GH response to the two releasing factors was higher than the maximal response observed with each factor alone. TRF increased (P<.01) prolactin (Prl), thyrotropin (TSH), triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄) concentrations similarly at the 1.1 and 3.3 μg•kg⁻¹ doses and GRF did not interact (P>.40) with TRF on the release of these hormones. In the second trial, the effect of GRF (3.3 μg•kg⁻¹ BW, sc) and TRF (1.1 μg•kg⁻¹ BW, sc) was tested at three stages (18, 72 and 210 days) of lactation on serum Prl and TSH concentrations. Eighteen cows (n = 6 per stage of lactation) were used in two replicates of a 3 × 3 latin square. The TRF and GRF-TRF treatments were equipotent (P>.05) in increasing Prl and TSH concentrations. Prl and TSH responses were similar (P>.40) throughout lactation. In summary, GRF at doses ranging from 1.1 to 10.0 μg•kg⁻¹ and TRF at doses ranging from 1.1 to 3.3 μg•kg⁻¹ act in synergy on GH release and do not interact on Prl, TSH, T₃ and T₄ concentrations in dairy cows. Furthermore, Prl and TSH response to TRF are not affected by stage of lactation.     

Effects of Recombinant E. coli Expressing Heat-stable Enterotoxin on Intestinal Morphology and Antioxidant Capacity in Seven Days old Piglets

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of recombinant E.coli expressing heat-stable enterotoxin(STa) on intestinal absorption and barrier function, intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity of 7 days old piglets. Twenty-four 7 days old piglets were allotted to four treatments:control group (artificial milk), STa group (artificial milk +2×10⁹ CFU E.coli LMG194-pBAD-STa), LMG194 group (artificial milk +2×10⁹ CFU E.coli LMG194), and K88 group (artificial milk +2×10⁹ CFU E.coli K88).The pigs were treated with E.coli on the 5th day and slaughtered on the 7th day. The results showed that, compared with the control group, villus height in jejunum, ileum and duodenum, crypt depth and villus height/crypt depth in duodenum, and small intestine villi surface area were significantly decreased in STa group (P<0.05). The activities of catalase (CAT) in ileum and colon, total nitric oxide synthase (TNOS) in serum, ileum, jejunum and colon, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in colon were significantly decreased in STa group (P<0.05). STa group also had a higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in serum (P<0.05). These results suggested that recombinant E.coli expressing STa could lead to intestinal injury and oxidative stress of 7 days old piglets.     

Relationships between the thyroid and somatotropic axes in steers I: Effects of propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism on growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone and insulin-like growth factor I

The effects of propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced thyroid hormone imbalance on GH, TSH and IGF-I status in cattle were examined. In the first study, four crossbred steers (avg wt 350 kg) were fed a diet dressed with PTU (0, 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg/d BW) in a Latin square design with four 35-d periods. On day 29 in each period, steers were challenged with an intrajugular bolus of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH, 1.0 μg/kg). Blood samples were obtained to assess the change in plasma GH and TSH as affected by PTU. Plasma IGF-I was measured from blood samples obtained before and after (every 6 hr for 24 hr) intramuscular injection of bovine GH (0.1 mg/kg, day 31). Doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg PTU increased plasma T₄ (P<.01). At 4 mg/kg, PTU depressed T₄ concentrations to 30% of control (P<.01). Plasma T₃ linearly decreased with increasing doses of PTU (P<.01). Plasma TSH increased when PTU was fed at 4 mg/kg (P<.05) while the TSH response to TRH declined with increasing PTU (P<.02). Neither basal nor TRH-stimulated plasma concentration of GH was affected by PTU; the IGF-I response to GH tended to increase at the 1 and 2 mg/kg PTU (P<.01). In a second study 24 crossbred steers were fed PTU (1.5 mg/kg) for 119 d in a 2 × 2 factorial design with implantation of the steroid growth effector, Synovex-S (200 mg progesterone + 20 mg estradiol), as the other main effect. Basal plasma GH and IGF-I were not affected by PTU treatment. Synovex increased plasma concentration (P<.01) of IGF-I without an effect on plasma GH. The data suggest that mild changes in thyroid status associated with PTU affects regulation of T₃, T₄ and TSH more than GH or IGF-I in steers.     

表达耐热肠毒素的重组大肠杆菌对7日龄仔猪肠道形态结构及抗氧化功能的影响

试验旨在研究表达耐热肠毒素（STa）的重组大肠杆菌对7日龄仔猪肠道形态结构及抗氧化功能的影响。选取24头7日龄仔猪,随机分在4个日粮处理组,分别为对照组（人工乳）,STa组（人工乳+2×10⁹ CFU重组菌LMG194-pBAD-STa）,LMG194组（人工乳+2×10⁹ CFU大肠杆菌LMG194）,K88组（人工乳+2×10⁹ CFU大肠杆菌K88）。试验第5天进行攻毒,第7天屠宰取样,测量小肠黏膜的绒毛高度和隐窝深度,检测空肠、回肠、结肠及血清中的过氧化氢酶（CAT）、总一氧化氮合成酶（TNOS）与诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）的活力及血清中丙二醛（MDA）与过氧化氢（H₂O₂）的含量。试验结果表明,与对照组相比,STa组仔猪各肠段绒毛高度均显著降低（P<0.05）,十二指肠隐窝深度及绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值显著降低（P<0.05）,十二指肠、空肠、回肠绒毛表面积显著降低（P<0.05）;同时,STa组回肠、结肠CAT活力显著降低,血清、空肠、回肠和结肠中的TNOS活力显著降低（P<0.05）,STa组结肠iNOS活力显著降低（P<0.05）,STa组血清中的MDA与H₂O₂含量显著提高（P<0.05）。结果显示,表达STa的重组大肠杆菌可导致7日龄仔猪肠道结构损伤和抗氧化能力下降。