Inhibitory Effects of Pergolide and Cabergoline Formulations on Daily Plasma Prolactin Concentrations in Geldings and on the Daily Prolactin Responses to a Small Dose of Sulpiride in Mares

Two experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy and duration of action of two dopaminergic compounds, pergolide and cabergoline, on daily prolactin secretion in geldings and on prolactin responses to a small dose of sulpiride over 10 days. In the first experiment, oral administration of 2 mg of pergolide was compared to a single injection of 2 mg of pergolide in a slow-release vehicle and a single injection of 5 mg of cabergoline in slow-release vehicle. Controls received vehicle only. All drug treatments reduced (P < .05) prolactin concentrations relative to that in controls but differed substantially in duration of action (oral pergolide approximately 6 hours or less, injected pergolide 6 to 24 hours, and injected cabergoline at least 6 days). In the second experiment, repeated small doses of sulpiride (2 μg/kg of body weight intravenously) were used to stimulate prolactin release in mares, and the ability of seven daily injections of pergolide (2 mg each) and a single injection of cabergoline (5 mg) in slow-release vehicle to suppress this release were compared. Control mares receiving vehicle injections had robust prolactin responses to the sulpiride injections on all days of injection (days 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 relative to treatment). Prolactin responses were muted (P < .05) by pergolide and cabergoline treatments on the first day of injection (day 0, 30 min after treatment) and were basically absent on days 1 to 8. The single injection of cabergoline continued to be suppressive through day 10, whereas mares previously treated with pergolide (through day 6) had begun to recover a prolactin response by day 10. We conclude that either daily 2-mg pergolide injections in slow-release vehicle or a single injection of 5 mg of cabergoline in slow-release vehicle is an effective way to apply dopaminergic activity to horses for approximately 7 to 10 days and may have application in the treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in affected horses.     

Effect of Repeated Cabergoline Treatment on the Vernal Transition and Hair Shedding of Mares (Year 1) and a Subsequent Comparison of the Effect of Starting Date on Prolactin Suppression (Year 2)

Two studies were conducted to determine efficacy of cabergoline for suppressing prolactin (PRL) and the possible effects on vernal transition in mares. In experiment 1, six mares each received either vehicle or cabergoline (5 mg, intramuscularly) every 10 days for 12 treatments beginning February 4, 2013. Blood samples were drawn regularly, and mares were challenged with sulpiride periodically to assess PRL suppression. Weekly hair samples were obtained to determine shedding. Prolactin was suppressed (P < .05) by cabergoline, but suppression waned in spring. There was no effect (P > .05) of treatment on day of first ovulation, luteinizing hormone, or follicle stimulating hormone. Hair shedding was generally suppressed (P = .05). In 2014 (experiment 2), eight of the same 12 mares were used in a similar experiment to determine if the rise in PRL observed in experiment 1 was due to refractoriness to cabergoline or perhaps another factor. Treatment began on April 6, 2014, corresponding to the increase in PRL in treated mares in experiment 1. Mares were treated with cabergoline or vehicle until June 5. Prolactin was suppressed (P < .05) by cabergoline, and the pattern of apparent escape from suppression was similar to year 1. We conclude that (1) cabergoline at this dose alters hair shedding but does not alter the time of first ovulation in mares and (2) relative to our previous reports of cabergoline treatment in the fall, there is a seasonal effect on the ability of this dose of cabergoline to suppress unstimulated PRL secretion.     

The Effect of Sulpiride Treatment During the Periovulatory Period on Prolactin Concentration and Ovulation in the Mare

Sixteen estrous cycles from 10 cyclic mares were randomly assigned to a control or sulpiride group (n = 8 each). All mares received 1,500 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (hour 0) during estrus with a follicular diameter ≥32 mm. Mares were scanned every 12 hours until ovulation. In the treatment group, beginning at hour 0, each mare received 1.5 mg/kg of sulpiride every 12 hours intra-muscularly until ovulation or formation of a luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF). Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) were measured by radioimmunoassay. In each group, there were 10 preovulatory follicles for the eight cycles. The ovulation rate (9/10, 90%) was similar in the control and sulpiride groups. Two mares formed an LUF, which was first detected at hours 48 and 72 for the sulpiride and control mares, respectively. The interval from hCG to ovulation was 49.5 ± 11.1 and 43.5 ± 5.8 hours, for the control and sulpiride groups, respectively (P > .5). LH followed the typical preovulatory surge pattern, with no difference between groups (P > .5). Sulpiride administration increased PRL concentration in treated mares at 24 (P < .1), 36, and 48 hours (P < .05) after treatment. In conclusion, sulpiride administration every 12 hours increased PRL concentration in treated mares after 24 hours of the beginning of treatment. However, at this time window and concentration, PRL did not have any effect on ovulation. The control mare that developed an LUF had a PRL concentration similar to other ovulatory control mares (always ≤10 ng/mL).     

Effects of Epinephrine,Detomidine, and Butorphanol on Assessments of Insulin Sensitivity in Mares

Sympathoadrenal stimulation may perturb results of endocrine tests performed on fractious horses. Sedation may be beneficial; however, perturbation of results may preclude useful information. Four experiments were designed to 1) determine the effects of epinephrine on insulin response to glucose (IR2G), 2) assess the effects of detomidine (DET), alone or combined with butorphanol (DET/BUT), on IR2G and glucose response to insulin (GR2I), and 3) assess the effects of BUT alone on IR2G. In Experiment 1, mares were administered saline or epinephrine (5 μg/kg BW) immediately before infusion of glucose (100 mg/kg BW). Glucose stimulated (P < .05) insulin release in controls at 5 minutes that persisted through 30 minutes; insulin was suppressed (P < .05) by epinephrine from 5 to 15 minutes, rising gradually through 30 minutes. Experiments 2 (IR2G) and 3 (GR2I) were conducted as triplicated 3 × 3 Latin squares with the following treatments: saline (SAL), DET, and DET/BUT (all administered at .01 mg/kg BW). Glucose stimulated (P < .05) insulin release that persisted through 30 minutes in SAL mares; DET and DET/BUT severely suppressed (P < .0001) the IR2G. Sedation did not affect resting glucose and had inconsistent effects on the GR2I when mares were treated with 50 mIU/kg BW recombinant human insulin. Butorphanol had no effect on IR2G. In conclusion, adrenergic agonists severely suppress the IR2G and cannot be used for sedation for this test. The use of DET did not alter the GR2I, and therefore may be useful for conducting this test in fractious horses.     

Repeatability of Prolactin Responses to a Small Dose of Sulpiride in Estrogen-Primed Geldings in Spring and in Mares During the Estrous Cycle in Summer

Two experiments were conducted to assess the repeatability of prolactin responses to a small dose of sulpiride in estrogen-primed geldings in spring and in mares during the estrous cycle in summer. Six long-term geldings each received a single intramuscular injection of 100 mg of estradiol cypionate on March 31, 2011, and were then challenged with an intravenous injection of dl-sulpiride (5 μg/kg of body weight of the racemic mixture) every other day for a total of 8 days. Jugular blood was collected at 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after the injection of sulpiride for prolactin measurement. The experiment was repeated with six mares during the summer (July), except that the number of challenges was extended to 15 over 30 days so that any effect of estrous cycle stage could be assessed. Prolactin responses in geldings during April were robust and were varied in a quadratic manner (P < .003) over the eight sulpiride injections, increasing linearly to a plateau by the fourth injection. Mares also displayed robust prolactin responses to sulpiride injections in July, and there was no effect (P > .1) of day of injection and no effect of stage of estrous cycle (follicular phase, early diestrus, or late diestrus). We concluded that prolactin responses to this dose of sulpiride were sufficiently robust and repeatable for use as a paradigm for studies of the relative competitive efficacy and duration of action of various dopaminergic compounds and their vehicular formulations.     

Insulin Sensitivity in Thoroughbred Geldings: Effect of Weight Gain,Diet, and Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Thoroughbred Geldings

The effects of dietary energy source, controlled weight gain, and exercise restriction on insulin sensitivity (SI) were studied in mature Thoroughbred geldings with body condition scores (BCS) of 4.3 ± 0.1. Two dietary energy sources were used, one high in starch and sugar (HS; n = 9) and one high in fat and fiber (HF; n = 7), and horses were fed 20 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/day above maintenance requirements to encourage weight gain. Using the minimal model of glucose and insulin dynamics, no differences in SI between groups were noted before initiation of treatment concentrate feeding. After dietary acclimation, SI was decreased in HS (P < 0.01) as compared with HF. After 32 weeks of controlled weight gain (90.8 kg; final BCS, 7.0 ± 0.1), SI remained lower in HS (P = 0.07) but did not change from the preweight gain value. SI in HF did not change between the start and end of weight gain. After completion of weight gain, exercise was restricted for 2 weeks, resulting in a reduction in SI in HF (P = 0.03) but no change in HS. It was concluded that dietary energy source may be more influential than weight gain on SI in the mature Thoroughbred gelding between BCS 4 and 7. The higher SI found in horses consuming the HF diet appeared to be partially dependent on some level of physical activity.     

胰岛素、催乳素和孕酮对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞泌乳功能的影响

具有泌乳功能的乳腺上皮细胞系可作为乳腺发育学、乳腺病理学、泌乳生物工程学研究的细胞模型,本研究测定了激素对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞系泌乳功能的影响,为阐述泌乳机制提供工作基础。应用HPLC方法对体外培养奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的酪蛋白和乳糖的分泌情况和细胞培养液中的酪蛋白、乳糖含量进行测定,以确定胰岛素、催乳素和孕酮处理后的奶牛乳腺上皮细胞的泌乳功能。试验结果表明：奶牛乳腺上皮细胞具有酪蛋白和乳糖的分泌能力,在72h内,随着细胞培养时间延长,胰岛素处理组细胞中的酪蛋白和乳糖的升高趋势不明显,孕酮处理组升高趋势较明显,催乳素处理组升高趋势很明显;胰岛素处理组、催乳素处理组和孕酮处理组细胞培养液中酪蛋白升高趋势均很明显,乳糖含量均很高,三组激素比较而言,胰岛素处理组乳糖含量最高。此外,三组激素对乳腺上皮细胞活力影响均很大,在72h之内,总体变化为：催乳素处理组和孕酮处理组细胞活力均升高,胰岛素处理组细胞活力下降。     

Effects of the Glucosinolate Sinigrin in Combination With a Noniodine Supplemented Diet on Serum Iodine and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in Nonpregnant Mares

Exposure to plants containing glucosinolates (GSLs) affects thyroid function in many species, in horses is implicated in the birth of foals with congenital hypothyroidism. The present study was performed to determine the effect of feeding a GSL (sinigrin) in combination with a low-iodine diet for 12 weeks on thyroid hormones and serum iodine concentrations in nonpregnant mares. Nineteen mares aged 2–14 years were divided into control (n = 6), low (20 mmol/day) (n = 7) and high GSL (35 mmol/day) (n = 6) groups. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests and serum iodine measurements were performed at 0 and 12 weeks. Total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured at the baseline and in post-TRH samples. The post-TRH value minus the basal value (Delta Δ) and fold change (FC) were calculated for TSH, TT3, and TT4. Data were analyzed at P < .05. Highlights included Delta Δ and FC TT4 and TT3 concentrations having a group and week interaction (P < .001) with week 12 control mares having higher values than mares in week 12 low and high GSL groups. TT4 FC values had a group (P < .001) and group by week interaction (P < .001) with week 12 control concentrations higher (P < .006) than all groups. Iodine concentrations decreased (P < .002) over time in GSL mares. In conclusion, feeding mares a low-iodine diet with 20 and 35 mmol sinigrin/day resulted in lower serum iodine concentrations.     

Factors Affecting the Glucose Response to Insulin Injection in Mares: Epinephrine, Short- and Long-Term Prior Feed Intake, Cinnamon Extract, and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation

Five experiments were conducted with mares to better define factors that might affect the assessment of insulin sensitivity via direct insulin injection, and to then apply this method of assessing insulin sensitivity to trials which tested two potential supplements for improving poor insulin sensitivity in horses. The experiments assessed the effects of the following: (1) previous administration of epinephrine, (2) overnight feed deprivation versus hay or pasture consumption, (3) 10-day acclimatization to hay in a dry lot versus pasture grazing, (4) cinnamon extract supplementation, and (5) fish oil supplementation on insulin sensitivity. Mares of known high and low insulin sensitivities were used in the first three experiments, whereas mares with low insulin sensitivities were used in the supplement trials. Epinephrine administration increased blood glucose concentrations (P < .05) and prevented the insulin-induced decrease in blood glucose concentrations in both sensitive and insensitive mares. Overnight feed deprivation decreased (P < .06) insulin sensitivity relative to overnight ad libitum access to hay, and both regimens resulted in reduced insulin sensitivity relative to overnight pasture availability; sensitive and insensitive mares responded similarly except when kept on pasture (P = .0854). Ten days of hay consumption in a dry lot reduced (P < .05) insulin sensitivity in insensitive mares, but not in sensitive mares, relative to pasture grazing. Supplementation with cinnamon extract or fish oil had no effect on insulin sensitivity of mares with known low insulin sensitivity under the conditions of these experiments.     

Dose-Response of Prolactin to Increasing Doses of the Dopamine Receptor Antagonist,Sulpiride, in Horses: Effect of Season in Mares and Stallions of Estradiol Pretreatment in Geldings

Two experiments were performed to determine whether dopaminergic input to the adenohypophysis (1) differs across seasons in mares and stallions proportionally with changes in prolactin secretion and (2) is altered by estradiol administration in geldings. In experiment 1, prolactin responses to increasing doses of l-sulpiride in eight mares and eight stallions in March, June, September, and December were used to estimate the theoretical dose equivalent to 50% of maximal response. Prolactin areas increased (P < .001) with increasing doses of sulpiride and were greatest (P < .05) in March for stallions, but in June for mares. Mean half-maximal dose, which was assumed to be proportional to the dopaminergic input to the pituitary, was lowest (P < .05) in June and greatest in September. Experiment 2 used the same approach to determine whether the stimulatory effect of estradiol pretreatment on prolactin secretion was associated with an alteration of the half-maximal response. Geldings (n = 6/group) were administered 100 mg of estradiol cypionate in oil, or oil alone, on day 0 (October 3) and increasing doses of l-sulpiride starting on day 6. Estradiol treatment increased (P < .08) the prolactin response to l-sulpiride at 0.41 μg/kg body weight and all higher doses (P < .05); mean half-maximal dose did not differ (P > .1) between groups. We conclude that dopaminergic input to the adenohypophysis of mares and stallions varies with season and that the stimulatory effect of estradiol on prolactin secretion is not associated with a decrease in dopaminergic input to the adenohypophysis.     

辅酶Q10对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响以及对腹水症的敏感性研究

180只AA雄性肉仔鸡随机分为3组,每组6个重复,8日龄起分别饲喂代谢能为13.2MJ/kg的日粮,辅酶Q10添加量分别为0、20、40mg/kg.15～21日龄关闭水暖进行较低温处理(15～18℃)以诱发腹水症,并研究辅酶Q10添加对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响以及对腹水症的敏感性.结果表明在本试验条件下,肉仔鸡日粮中添加不同水平的辅酶Q10对生产性能的影响不显著,而能显著降低其对腹水症的敏感性.日粮添加辅酶Q10能够显著降低肉仔鸡腹水症的发病率和死亡率,降低肉仔鸡红细胞渗透脆性(EOF)(P≤0.05).虽然辅酶Q10添加与否对血液红细胞压积(PCV)没有显著影响,但40mg/kg的辅酶Q10添加量同20mg/kg的添加量相比,PCV值显著降低(P≤0.05),除了36日龄时添加40mg/kg辅酶Q10显著降低了肉仔鸡的肺动脉舒张压(PADP)外,各试验组肉仔鸡右心室内压(RVP)、肺动脉压(PAP)、右心室内压最大变化速率(±dp/dtmax)等均没有表现出显著变化,而40mg/kg的辅酶Q10组显著降低了腹水心脏指数(AHI)(P≤0.05).辅酶Q10的这种有益作用可能与其为心肌细胞充足供能、降低血液的红细胞渗透脆性有关.     

日粮色氨酸水平对生长猪的氮利用效率、血浆类胰岛素生长因子-I、生长激素及胰岛素的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮色氨酸水平对生长猪的氮利用率以及对血浆类胰岛素生长因子-I(IGF-I)、生长激素(GH)、胰岛素浓度的影响。试验以4头大白去势公猪作为试验动物,以色氨酸含量分别为1.2、1.7、2.2和2.7g/kg的4种日粮为试验处理,按照4×4拉丁方进行试验设计。结果表明,色氨酸水平对干物质消化率、有机物消化率和氮消化率没有显著性影响(P>0.05)。氮沉积和氮的生物学利用率随着日粮色氨酸水平由1.2提高到1.7、2.2和2.7g/kg而显著提高(P<0.05),但是试验处理1.7、2.2和2.7g/kg之间的氮沉积和氮的生物学价值没有显著差异(P>0.05)。不同处理之间的血浆IGF-I、GH和胰岛素浓度没有显著差异(P>0.05)。日粮色氨酸水平和血浆IGF-I、GH或胰岛素浓度之间以及氮沉积和血浆IGF-I、GH或胰岛素浓度之间均无显著的相关关系(P>0.05)。综合以上结果,日粮色氨酸水平对生长猪的氮沉积具有显著影响,而对血浆IGF-I、GH和胰岛素没有显著影响。     

The Effects of Nonstructural Carbohydrate Content and Feeding Rate on Glucose and Insulin Response to Meal Feeding in Equine

The following research encompassed two experiments and involved feeding horses two isocaloric diets (diet A and diet B), with an approximate 50% difference in nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content. There were three main objectives: first, to test the hypothesis that feeding an approximately 50% lower NSC concentrate feed would cause a lower glucose and insulin response; second, to test the hypothesis that feeding meals equal in NSC content would create similar responses in glucose and insulin dynamics; and finally, to test the hypothesis that the time spent eating is correlated with glucose/insulin response. In experiment 1, in which diet A and diet B were fed at the same rate, the main finding was that feeding a meal lower in NSC resulted in a lower glucose and insulin response to the feed. In experiment 2, in which the effects of feeding diets A and B at a rate to provide 0.3 g/kg body weight (BW) NSC per meal were explored, the main finding was that, although glucose responses were similar, the meal containing more NSC/kg and fed at the lower rate resulted in a substantially lower insulin response. Consumption time also was found to be significantly different between treatments.In conclusion, a low NSC formulation and small meal size appear to be sensible recommendations for horses that may benefit from a low glucose and insulin response to feeding. In addition to NSC content, meal size, and nutrient:calorie ratio, nutrient requirements of the individual horse and the entire nutritional balance of the diet also should be addressed.     

The Effects of Feed Form on Consumption Time and Glucose and Insulin Response to a Concentrate Meal in Equine

This study tested the hypothesis that feeding an identically formulated, low sugar and starch concentrate in three forms (5-mm extruded [E], 4-mm pellet [P], and 19-mm oval [O]) would affect consumption rate and glucose or insulin responses, or both. Horses received 1.8 kg treatment feed in a randomized, crossover design, with samples taken every 30 minutes for 6 hours for blood glucose and insulin response. Pearson's correlation compared consumption time, insulin and glucose peak, and time to peak insulin and glucose. The pellet (P) elicited a lower (P = .01) glucose concentration at 2.5 hours than O. The pellet also elicited a lower (P = .03) insulin concentration at 5.5 hours than E and O. There were no differences (P > .05) in area under the curve (AUC) insulin, peak insulin, and time to peak insulin for the three treatments. Average insulin concentration was lower (P = .01) for P versus O. There were no differences (P > .05) in average insulin between P and E, nor between O and E. There were no differences (P > .05) in AUC and peak glucose concentration. Time to peak glucose was longer (P = .04) for P versus E. Average glucose concentration was lower (P = .02) for P versus O. Consumption time was longer (P = .03) for O versus P. There was a positive correlation between consumption time and time to peak insulin (r = 0.46, P = .029). Further research on feeding practices, feed forms, and consumption times that affect glycemic response is necessary.     

饲喂不同钙、磷水平饲粮对泌乳期伊犁马乳成分、乳脂脂肪酸组成和马驹生长发育、血浆生理生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲喂不同钙、磷水平饲粮对泌乳期伊犁马乳成分、乳脂脂肪酸组成及马驹生长发育、血浆生理生化指标的影响,为进一步探讨伊犁马钙、磷营养提供参考。选取年龄、体重和胎次接近的处于第2泌乳月末的伊犁马25匹,根据母马体重和马驹体重随机分为5组,每组5匹。5组马匹饲粮钙、磷水平分别设为45.0、30.0 g/d(Ⅰ组),48.5、32.0 g/d(Ⅱ组),52.0、34.0 g/d(Ⅲ组),55.5、36.0 g/d(Ⅳ组),59.0、38.0 g/d(Ⅴ组)。试验为期90 d,每30 d为1个试验周期。结果显示:饲粮钙、磷水平显著影响每次平均挤奶量及估计日产奶量(P0.05),对乳中乳脂率、乳蛋白率、乳糖率和乳总固形物含量无显著影响(P0.05)。Ⅲ组每次平均挤奶量分别比Ⅰ和Ⅳ组提高了20.65%(P0.05)和15.22%(P0.05),而Ⅲ组乳中钙含量比Ⅰ组低21.54%(P0.05)。不同钙、磷水平饲粮对乳脂中肉豆蔻脑酸(C14∶1)、棕榈油酸(C16∶1)、亚油酸(C18∶2n6c)、花生酸(C20∶0)、顺-11-二十碳烯酸(C20∶1)和α-亚麻酸(C18∶3n3)的含量均有显著影响(P0.05);随着饲粮钙、磷水平的增加,乳脂中饱和脂肪酸含量增加而不饱和脂肪酸含量下降。母马饲喂不同钙、磷水平饲粮对马驹体重、体长、体高和管围等生长发育指标以及血浆钙、磷、甲状旁腺素、骨钙素含量均无显著影响(P0.05),而胸围则随着饲粮钙、磷水平的增加有不同程度的下降。Ⅰ组马驹血浆降钙素含量显著高于Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组(P0.05),分别增加34.24%、24.89%和23.64%。由此得出,增加饲粮钙、磷水平可提高伊犁马的产奶量,但使乳中钙含量降低;饲粮钙、磷水平不影响乳成分,但增加乳脂中饱和脂肪酸的含量,减少不饱和脂肪酸的含量;由于乳中钙含量降低,导致马驹血浆降钙素含量下降、胸围发育较慢。     

不同能量水平饲粮对7~10月龄荷斯坦育成牛生长性能和血清指标的影响

本试验旨在研究不同能量水平饲粮对7~10月龄育成牛生长性能和血清指标的影响。选取(200±3)日龄中国荷斯坦育成母牛24头,随机分为A、B和C 3个处理,对应饲喂产奶净能分别为5.40、5.90和6.40 MJ/kg 的试验饲粮,每个处理8个重复,每个重复1头牛。预试期10 d,正试期90 d。于210、240、270和300日龄清晨空腹测定生长性能指标(体重、体高、体斜长、胸围、腹围、腰角宽、乳头长度、体况评分),并采集血液样品用于血清指标(甘油三酯、尿素氮、雌激素、雌二醇、瘦素、生长激素和胰岛素样生长因子-1)分析。结果表明：1)在210~300日龄,A、B、C组育成牛平均日增重分别为0.69、0.81、0.96 kg/d,C组显著高于 A 组( P<0.05)。2)在240日龄,A组左后乳头长度均显著高于C组( P<0.05);240和270日龄,A、B组右后乳头长度显著高于C组( P<0.05)。3)在240日龄,A和B组血清甘油三酯( TG)含量显著低于C组(P<0.05)。4)在300日龄,A组血清雌二醇(E2)含量显著高于B组(P<0.05),极显著高于C组(P<0.01)。综合以上,在本试验条件下,饲粮产奶净能为5.90 MJ/kg时,能维持育成牛体型和乳腺的正常发育。