Energy balance and growth rate of outbred and inbred male guinea pigs

Water intake, food consumption, growth rate, and rectal temperature were measured daily for 14 days and oxygen uptake was determined weekly for 3 weeks in healthy outbred (Hartley stock) and inbred (strains 2 and 13) male guinea pigs. Body weights ranged from 300 to 465 g, and ages were approximately 6 to 10 weeks. Strain-13 guinea pigs had the lowest daily body weight gain (3.27 +/- 0.33 g), when compared with strain-2 (4.04 +/- 1.21 g) and Hartley guinea pigs (5.72 +/- 1.08 g). Outbred guinea pigs also had highest values of water intake and water/food intake ratio(s), and had significantly (P less than 0.05 and 0.01) lower oxygen uptake values than did inbred guinea pigs. The ratio of daily average body weight gain to the corresponding daily retained calories, with or without corrections of body surface area (0.05 m2), was higher in Hartley stock than in the strain-13 guinea pigs. Rectal temperatures and food consumption were similar in all guinea pigs. Data indicated that the outbred Hartley guinea pig had a faster growth rate and appeared stronger physiologically, compared with inbred strains.     

Hematology and clinical pathology of experimental Fascioloides magna infection in cattle and guinea pigs.

The hematologic and clinico-pathologic response to Fascioloides magna infection in cattle and guinea pigs was investigated. Twelve calves (six infected and six controls) were monitored for 26 weeks after inoculation with 1000 metacercariae. All calves remained healthy and there were no significant differences in weight gains between infected and control groups. Flukes (mean = 9.2, range 1–32) were recovered from the liver and abdominal cavity of all infected calves. The only significant response observed in the complete blood counts was an eosinophilia present in the infected calves extending from Weeks 2 to 26 post-infection. There were no significant differences in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and only minor increases in the levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase.

A total of 48 infected and 48 control guinea pigs from three separate experiments were monitored for 16 weeks after inoculation with 20 metacercariae of Fascioloides magna. Infected guinea pigs died between 7 and 114 days after infection, and flukes (ean = 2.5, range 0–13) were recovered from the liver, abdominal cavity, lungs, thoracic cavity, skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue. There were no differences in weight gains between infected and control guinea pigs. Complete blood counts showed increases in white blood cell, monocyte and neutrophil counts from between the third and fourteenth weeks post-infection; however, the differences were not consistently significant. Infected guinea pigs developed a significant eosinophilia and basophilia from 2 to 16 weeks post-infection. There were no significant changes in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase or gamma-glutamyl transferase. There was an increase in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase beginning at 5 weeks post-infection. The response observed in the guinea pigs was similar to that reported in sheep, suggesting the suitability of the guinea pig as a model for Fascioloides magna infection in the sheep.     

Changes in the level of plasma cortisol, progesterone and total testosterone in developing hairless dogs.

Changes in the levels of plasma cortisol, progesterone and total testosterone were examined in developing hairless and haired dogs. Cortisol levels in the hairless dogs seemed to be higher than those in haired dogs within the age of 4-5 weeks. No apparent changes were seen in the level of plasma progesterone between the groups of hairless females and haired females. Total testosterone levels in hairless males showed to be significantly lower than those in haired males at the age of 13-21 weeks.     

Characterization of encephalomyocarditis virus isolated from aborted swine fetuses.

Characteristics of 2 encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) isolates (MN-25 and MN-30) recovered from aborted swine fetuses were examined along with 2 other swine isolates (NVSL-MDV and NVSL-PR) and a reference ATCC strain (VR-129). All 5 EMCV isolates were found to be serologically related by cross testing, using serum neutralization and fluorescent antibody assays. Hemagglutination (HA) properties of the 5 isolates were compared, using 5 diluents. The MN-25 and NVSL-MDV strains had HA activity with guinea pig RBC in all 5 diluents, whereas MN-30, NVSL-PR, and VR-129 had HA activity only in KCl-borate buffer. The HA ability with RBC of various animal species was examined, using KCl-borate diluent. All virus isolates had high HA titer (1:512 to 1:2,048) with guinea pig, rat, and horse RBC and lower HA titer (1:16 to 1:64) with sheep RBC. The MN-25 and NVSL-MDV isolates agglutinated dogs RBC, whereas MN-30, NVSL-PR, and VR-129 strains did not. Viral replication was evident in 8 of 10 cell lines tested, although infectivity titers of each virus varied by cell line used. Plaque-forming ability was similar for all 5 isolates, but plaque size was different by virus and cell culture used. Virus isolates were found to be stable after being heated at 56 C and subjected to a wide range of pH. A viral polypeptide pattern difference for all 5 isolates was not found by use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nephrogenic rest in a Crl:CD (SD)IGS BR rat

A nephrogenic rest was found in the kidney of an 11-week-old male Crl:CD (SD)IGS BR rat. Histologically, the rest was within the renal cortical interstitium and consisted of glomeruloid structures (primitive glomeruli) and inconsistently distinct basophilic tubules lined by a single layer of cuboidal to columnar cells and variably bordered by blastemal cells. Nephrogenic rests have not been reported previously in this rat strain.     

Requirement for host Fc receptors and IgG antibodies in host immune responses against Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

Guinea pigs sensitized by prior feeding of larval Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks expressed complete immunity to challenge feeding resulting in 100% tick rejection. Passive transfer of 1 ml of serum from animals expressing resistance into naive animals conferred recipients with significant protection (88% tick rejection). Successful transfer of resistance was blocked by pretreatment of recipients with rabbit IgG but not sheep IgG1. Passive transfer of IgG1 or IgG2 purified from tick-sensitized guinea pig serum by ion-exchange chromatography failed to confer resistance to naive guinea pigs. Furthermore, IgG1 from guinea pigs expressing resistance obtained from serum by passage through a heavy chain specific rabbit anti-guinea pig IgG1 column failed to confer resistance to naive guinea pigs, as did the eluate. These results suggest that both IgG subclasses are needed for the expression of resistance, or IgG1 in conjunction with IgE.     

Guinea Pig Model of Uterine Leiomyoma Established by Intragastric Administration of Estrogen

[Objective] The paper was to establish the guinea pig model of uterine leiomyoma by intragastric administration of estrogen and to dis-cuss the effect of different doses and administration cycles on formation of uterine leiomyoma. [Method] Mature female guinea pigs were divided into short term model group and long term model group, and intragastrically administrated with estradiol valerate at the dose of 0.1 mg/100 g body weight twice a week for 6 and 8 weeks respectively. Guinea pigs intragastrically administrated with equal volume of normal saline were set as con-trol. After 6 or 8 weeks, the guinea pigs were sacrificed. The serum levels of estrogen and progesterone were measured by ELISA and the leiomyoma formation rate was measured. Histological changes were compared between treatment group and control group with HE staining. [Results] The leiomyoma formation rate was 30% in short term model group and 40% in long term model group. The overall leiomyoma formation rate was 35%.The serum level of estrogen in model animals increased significantly and the progesterone level decreased in long term model group. Histopathologi-cal examination confirmed that the guinea pig model of uterine leiomyoma was established successfully. [Conclusions] Intragastric administration of estrogen is a simple and effective method for establishing guinea pigs model of uterine leiomyoma.     

猪细小病毒血凝抑制试验抗原、阳性血清与阴性血清的制备与鉴定

猪细小病毒（Porcine Parvovirus,PPV）血凝抑制试验抗原、阳性血清和阴性血清在猪细小病毒制品的效力检验中不可或缺,对猪细小病毒相关生物制品的质量控制至关重要。试验采用PPV 7909株病毒同步接种PK-15细胞制备血凝抑制试验抗原,用制备的抗原乳化后免疫豚鼠制备阳性血清,同时用未免疫的阴性豚鼠制备阴性血清。对抗原、阳性血清和阴性血清进行鉴定,结果表明,制备的PPV血凝抑制试验抗原HA效价达1:512;阳性血清HI效价达1:1024;阴性血清HI效价＜1:8,且特异性均良好。利用制备的血凝抑制试验抗原、阳性血清与不同PPV疫苗株的灭活抗原、阳性血清进行交叉反应试验,结果表明,制备的抗原与阳性血清具备良好的血清学交叉反应性,可用于PPV制品的统一评价。     

5株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒血凝素蛋白分子特征分析和豚鼠间传播能力的评估

为研究H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)在哺乳动物间的传播能力,本研究以豚鼠为模型评价了5株H9N2亚型AIV在豚鼠体内的复制能力和水平传播能力,并分析了5株病毒血凝素(HA)蛋白的分子特征。结果表明,5株病毒均属于CK/Beijing谱系,其中2株病毒的HA具有人样受体特征(Lys226),2株病毒具有禽样受体特征(Gln226),而A/Chicken/JN/Li-2/2010(H9N2)株在该位点的氨基酸残基为苯丙氨酸(Phe226)。裂解位点分析表明,5株病毒均具有低致病性AIV特征。个别病毒的潜在糖基化位点存在增加或缺失现象。感染试验表明,5株病毒均能够在豚鼠呼吸道复制。并且在鼻甲骨处复制稳定,平均病毒滴度为2.01 Log EID50/mL～4.5 Log EID50/mL。传播试验表明,所有病毒株的人工接种豚鼠的鼻洗液中均能够检测到病毒,最长排毒期为接毒后第8 d,而接触组豚鼠鼻洗液中未检测到病毒。本研究表明,5株H9N2亚型AIV均属于CK/Beijing谱系,部分病毒株的HA蛋白已具备人样受体结合特征,并且关键氨基酸位点(226位)处出现新的突变。5株病毒均能够在豚鼠呼吸道复制并通过上呼吸道排毒,但不能在豚鼠间同群传播。     

Genetic analysis of Mexican hairless pig populations.

The main Creole pig population in Mexico, the hairless Mexican pig, remains as an unimproved and endangered genetic resource. In order to learn more about the genetic characteristics of this pig population, we assessed the allele frequency of 10 microsatellite loci in 177 unrelated hairless pigs from seven regions at Mexico and in 111 pigs of four commercial breeds (Landrace, Large White, Hampshire, and Duroc). Genetic diversity in each population was estimated by the unbiased average heterozygosity and the allele number. Nei's standard genetic distances and a neighbor-joining dendrogram were used to reveal the genetic relationships among these populations. In this report, we present data showing that the level of the genetic diversity in Mexican hairless pigs is high compared with previous reports, and that they belong to a genetic lineage divergent from commercial breeds. Furthermore, Mexican hairless pigs seem to have developed several genetically distinct lines associated with their geographic location. We conclude that the Mexican Creole pig populations may be a reservoir of genetic diversity that is important to preserve and evaluate as a source of new alleles for the future improvement of commercial pig lines.     

Brucella abortus antigen-induced lymphocyte reactivity in guinea pigs

A whole blood lymphyocyte transformation (WBLT) assay was used to detect anti-brucella lymphocyte reactivity in guinea pigs. Brucella antigens stimulated an antigen-specific lymphoproliferative response in WBLT assays from $\text{Brucella abortus}$ infected guinea pigs. The response was best detected from 6 to 16 weeks after challenge inoculation with viable $\text{B. abortus}$ 2308. Lymphocytes were not stimulated by unrelated bacterial antigens and control animals did not respond to the Brucella antigens. The responding cell population was characterized as mostly T lymphocytes. The WBLT assay was found to be specific for the detection of anti-brucella lymphocyte reactivity. However, a negative response was not definitive, which indicated a need for repeated testing to establish that a guinea pig did not have anti-brucella lymphocyte sensitization.     

Schirmer tear test, phenol red thread tear test, eye blink frequency and corneal sensitivity in the guinea pig

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for Schirmer tear tests (STT) I and II, phenol red thread (PRT) tear test and eye blink frequency, and to determine corneal sensitivity for normal guinea pigs. ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred and eight eyes of 54 adult Duncan-Hartley guinea pigs. PROCEDURE: Schirmer tear test (STT) I and then STT II were performed in 36 guinea pigs. PRT and STT I were compared in 18 adult Duncan-Hartley guinea pigs. Corneal sensitivity was determined in 23 guinea pigs by evaluating the corneal touch threshold (CTT) of five different regions using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Eye blink frequency was measured in 10 guinea pigs over a period of 20 min and in 17 guinea pigs over a period of 10 min. RESULTS: Mean STT I was 0.36 mm +/- 1.09 mm (wetting/min) and mean STT II was 0.43 mm +/- 1.29 mm (wetting/min). There was no significant difference between mean STT I and mean STT II (P = 0.79). The mean PRT-value was 16 +/- 4.7 mm (wetting/15 s), and the mean STT I-value in the same guinea pigs was 0.6 +/- 1.83 mm (wetting/min). Corneal sensitivity was significantly higher in the center than in the four limbal regions. The mean CTT for central, ventral, nasal, temporal and dorsal regions was 2, 1.7, 1.7, 1.7 and 1.6 cm or 3.7, 5.2, 5.6, 5.7 and 6.4 g/mm(2), respectively. Eye blink frequency was between two to five (mean 3.4 +/- 1.04) blinks per eye over 20 min in guinea pigs in their home environment, while in handheld and restrained guinea pigs eye blink frequency showed a variation between 0 and 17 blinks per eye (mean 3.24 +/- 3.64 blinks per eye) over 10 min. CONCLUSIONS: As there were no significant differences between STT I and STT II results, reflex tear secretion in the guinea pig may not exist. The most likely explanation is a lower corneal sensitivity in the guinea pig than in other species, such as cats, dogs and horses. Because of the small amount of tears, PRT is the preferred test for tear measurement in the guinea pig.     

Zmu-1:DHP豚鼠部分生物学特性研究

为积累Zmu-1：DHP豚鼠的生物学特性资料,本研究使用肥大细胞抗原攻击、补体溶血CH50、流式细胞仪及病毒感染方法,测定了豚鼠致敏肥大细胞对抗原的敏感性、血清总补体的活性、血液多形核白细胞的吞噬和呼吸爆发功能及对口蹄疫病毒的敏感性.结果显示,Zmu-1：DHP豚鼠致敏肥大细胞的脱颗粒反应明显低于其它品系（P＜0.01）,血清补体含量大于其它品系（P＜0.01）,多形核白细胞的吞噬功能高于其它品系（P＜0.05）,而呼吸爆发功能低于其它品系（P＜0.01）,对口蹄疫病毒呈现100%的敏感性.表明Zmu-1：DHP豚鼠的生物学特征已不同于其它品系,形成独特的遗传组成和生物学性状,具有较高的应用优势及推广价值.     

Space requirements of weaned pigs during a sixty-minute transport in summer

Currently, there are no trucking quality assurance recommendations for space allowance of weaned pigs during transport in the United States. The objective of this research was to establish a first estimate of the space requirements of weaned pigs during transport in summer based on measures of animal well-being. A commercial semi-trailer was fitted with compartments that provided 0.05, 0.06, and 0.07 m(2)/pig, which were replicated on the upper and lower deck, with a constant 100 pigs per compartment. Cameras were placed in each experimental compartment to record behaviors and postures of pigs during transport. The frequencies of standing, lying, sitting, standing/rearing on another pig, and lying/huddling on top of another pig were recorded using 1-min scan samples during the entire duration of transport. Blood samples were collected and BW and lesion scores recorded from 32 pigs per space allowance for physiological and immune measures before and after transport (n = 32 pigs/treatment). Pigs were transported for 60 +/- 5 min to the wean-to-finishing site using the same route for each replicate during summer (temperature: 28.4 +/- 1.2 degrees C and relative humidity: 59.8 +/- 4.4% within the trailer). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Cortisol, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase increased (P < 0.05) after transport regardless of space allowance. Plasma glucose and BW decreased (P < 0.05) after transport regardless of space allowance. Lesion scores increased (P < 0.001) after transport and were greater (P < 0.05) for barrows compared with gilts. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was greater (P < 0.005) for pigs transported at 0.05 m(2)/pig compared with pigs transported at 0.06 and 0.07 m(2)/pig. Pigs transported at 0.05 m(2)/pig lay down less (P < 0.05) than pigs transported at 0.06 and 0.07 m(2)/pig between 30 and 60 min of transport. Greater neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and less lying behavior performed by pigs transported at 0.05 m(2)/pig suggest that a minimum space allowance of 0.06 m(2)/pig was preferable when transporting weaned pigs for 60 min during summer in this study.     

Thermodilution cardiac output determination in the guinea pig

Thermodilution cardiac output was compared with simultaneously determined aortic flow in 5 guinea pigs during thoracotomy. Total cardiac output was affected by volume expansion, adrenergic stimulation, and the volume of hemorrhage. For the equation y = mx, where y is aortic flow, x is thermodilution cardiac output, and m is the slope of the regression line, m = 0.88 +/- 0.02 (95% confidence interval). The SE of the regression was 27.8 ml/min. Thermodilution may have been overestimated because the aortic flow measurement did not take into account the coronary arterial blood flow, which is approximately 4% of total cardiac output in the guinea pig. Indicator loss (ie, temperature) also may be an important factor in the calculation of cardiac output, as determinations of thermodilution cardiac output were affected by sampling site in the guinea pig. Thermodilution appears to be a useful and reliable means of determining cardiac output in the guinea pig.     

Osteodystrophia fibrosa in two guinea pigs.

Two adult guinea pigs were examined because they were lethargic and reluctant to walk. Additionally, I guinea pig had otitis media, and the other had dental malocclusion. Both guinea pigs had been fed a commercially available diet of cereals and pellets enriched with vitamin C and formulated for this species. Radiographically, the guinea pigs had coarse trabecular bone patterns, skeletal deformations, pathologic fractures, and polyarthritic degenerative joint disease. A double cortical line was also evident on several long bones, the pelvis, and the vertebrae. A diagnosis of osteopenia was confirmed by use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Analysis of a food sample fed to 1 guinea pig revealed calcium and phosphorus contents of 0.524 and 0.425%, respectively (Ca:P ratio, 1.23:1). Microscopic examination of bone tissue from both guinea pigs revealed severe fibrous osteodystrophy. Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by calcium-phosphorus imbalance was considered to be the underlying cause of osteodystrophia fibrosa in both guinea pigs.     

Isolation and serological survey of Salmonella in pigs in Japan

A total of 267 fecal and serum samples collected from individual pigs reared on a Salmonella-positive farm were subjected to bacteriological and serological examinations of Salmonella. Salmonella was isolated from 47 pigs (17.6%) and prevalence of antibody to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of S. Typhimurium, which was partly common to S. O4, 12: d: -, was observed in 90 pigs (33.7%). Salmonella was isolated from 26 (28.9%) of 90 antibody-positive pigs and 21 (11.9%) of 177 antibody-negative pigs. Twenty-one of 36 pigs (58.3%) positive for S. O4, 12: d: -, five of 10 pigs (50.0%) positive for S. Havana, and none for S. Anatum had antibodies. Thus, seropositive rates were higher than isolation-positive rates, and antibody prevalence was associated with serovars of the isolates. Then, we analyzed antibody prevalence among pigs on Japanese pig farms. The antibodies to LPS of S. Typhimurium were found in 195 of 1,498 pigs (13.0%) and in at least one serum sample on 35 of 52 farms (67.3%). Our results indicate that Salmonella does not seem to be so prevalent in pigs though it is widely prevalent among pig farms.     

Macronutrient digestibility in Kadon pigs fed diets with isonitrogenous amounts of various carbohydrate sources

In this experiment, the apparent digestibility of diets with isonitrogenous amounts of different carbohydrate sources was determined in Kadon pigs, which are native to the North-East of Thailand and typically kept on small-holder farms. Eight male and eight female pigs were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with diets containing either ground corn (GC), rice bran (RB), broken rice (BR) or cassava chips (CC). The diet with BR induced the highest digestibilities for protein and energy, but also had the highest ingredients costs. In essence, the diet with CC had produced the second highest digestibilities, whereas this diet was 18% less expensive than the diet with BR. Nitrogen (N) retention, expressed as % of N intake, was highest in the pigs fed the diet containing BR. The outcome of this study may contribute to the formulation of pig diets when aiming at optimizing ingredient costs and growth performance.     

肉桂醛替代保育猪饲粮中金霉素和杆菌肽锌

本试验研究了肉桂醛替代保育猪饲粮中金霉素和杆菌肽锌联用的效果。选取180头42日龄健康的杜×长×大三元杂交保育猪,按体重相似和性别比例相同原则将其分为对照组、试验A组和B组,每组60头猪,设4个重复,每个重复15头猪。对照组猪饲喂猪场现行的保育猪饲粮,其中含有金霉素、杆菌肽锌和黏杆菌素;将饲粮中金霉素和杆菌肽锌除去,分别添加400和600 mg/kg肉桂醛制剂,相应地饲喂试验A组和B组猪。试验期21 d。试验发现:用肉桂醛制剂替代保育猪饲粮中联用的金霉素和杆菌肽锌,可显著降低保育猪的腹泻率和腹泻指数(P0.05)。试验A组、B组猪平均日增重较对照组高,其中试验B组达到显著水平(P0.05)。试验B组猪血清总蛋白含量显著高于对照组(P0.05);试验组猪血清谷丙转氨酶活性低于对照组,其中试验B组达到显著水平(P0.05);试验B组猪血清谷草转氨酶活性显著高于对照组和试验A组(P0.05);试验A组、B组猪血清超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性和总抗氧化能力显著(P0.05)或极显著(P0.01)高于对照组;试验A组、B组猪血清丙二醛含量极显著低于对照组(P0.01)。试验A组、B组猪瘟抗体、蓝耳病抗体、圆环病毒抗体水平都显著地高于对照组(P0.05);猪伪狂犬抗体水平也呈上升趋势,其中试验B组达显著水平(P0.05)。3组猪血清口蹄疫抗体水平差异不显著(P0.05)。结果提示:肉桂醛能替代保育猪饲粮中联用的金霉素和杆菌肽锌,并且其应用效果比金霉素和杆菌肽锌联用的效果更好。肉桂醛能较好地预防和控制保育猪腹泻的发生,增强猪体抗氧化能力,促进保育猪的生长,提高饲料转化率。肉桂醛制剂在保育猪饲粮中适宜添加量为600 mg/kg。