Enteral exposure to crude red kidney bean lectin induces maturation of the gut in suckling pigs.

The present investigation characterized the effect of red kidney bean lectin exposure on gut maturation and function in young piglets. Eleven suckling pigs were given by stomach tube a crude red kidney bean lectin preparation (containing about 25% lectin, 400 mg/kg BW) (lectin-treated pigs) at 10, 11, and 12 d of life, and an additional 16 pigs (control pigs) were given saline instead. On the next day, the intestinal absorptive capacity was determined in vivo, and on the 14th d of life the piglets were killed and organs and small intestine samples were collected for analyses and in vitro permeability experiments. The lectin-treated pigs showed an increase in stomach weights and mucosa thickness, whereas no weight effect was found for the small intestine, spleen, liver, or adrenals. Morphometric analyses of the small intestine in lectin-treated pigs showed a decrease in villus heights, an increase in crypt depths and crypt cell mitotic indices, and fewer vacuolated enterocytes per villus and reduced vacuole size. Lectin treatment also resulted in a decrease in the absorption of different-sized marker molecules after gavage feeding, a decrease in intestinal marker permeability, and a change in small intestinal disaccharidase activities, with increased maltase and sucrase activities. The size of the pancreatic acini was also greater in the lectin-treated pigs, but no increases in enzyme content or pancreatic weight could be determined. In addition, the blood plasma levels of cholecystokinin were higher in the lectin-treated than in the control pigs. The results indicate that exposure to crude red kidney bean lectin induces structural and functional maturation of the gut and pancreatic growth in young suckling piglets. This possibility of inducing gut maturation may lead to an improvement in the piglets' ability to adapt to weaning and to an increase in the growth and health of these animals.     

Responses of plasma Epo and kidney and liver Epo mRNA to hemorrhage in perinatal pigs

Despite the fact that pig fetuses in late gestation have extensive erythropoiesis, low blood pO₂ and low hemoglobin concentrations, piglets are born without detectable concentrations of plasma erythropoietin (Epo). In the present study, we have examined the hypothesis that long-term hypoxic stimuli are less efficient than short-term stimuli in stimulating Epo production in perinatal pigs. From fetuses collected by hysterectomy 5 days before term, new-born piglets and piglets 2 and 5 weeks old, blood in amounts corresponding to 2% of body weight was withdrawn from the jugular vein. Twenty-four hours later the animals were killed and their kidney and liver Epo mRNA analysed by a competitive RT-PCR assay. Plasma Epo concentration was estimated by a solid-phase, two-site sequential chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay. We found that in nearly fully developed fetuses and in new-born piglets, the concentration of Epo mRNA did not increase upon bleeding. This is in contrast to earlier findings in sheep. In 2- and 5-week-old piglets, bleeding was associated with a 12–15-fold increase in kidney Epo mRNA. In the 2- and 5-week-old piglets, bleeding evoked increased translation of Epo mRNA into the protein hormone. Also in new-born piglets, increased plasma levels of Epo accompanied bleeding, whereas significant changes in gene Epo expression were not observed.     

Effects of crude red kidney bean lectin (phytohemagglutinin) exposure on performance, health, feeding behavior, and gut maturation of pigs at weaning

The aim of this study was to obtain information that could help to ease the weaning transition in commercial pig production. Before weaning, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the form of a crude preparation of red kidney bean lectin was fed by gavage to 24 crossbred [(Swedish Landrace x Yorkshire) x Hampshire] piglets, whereas 24 control piglets were fed alpha-lactalbumin by gavage, to study the effect on growth, occurrence of postweaning diarrhea, feeding behavior, and some anatomical and physiological traits of the gastrointestinal tract. Within the litter, piglets were randomly assigned to PHA treatment or control and remained in the same pen from the beginning (PHA exposure at 7 d before weaning) until the end of the experiment (14 d post-weaning). Weaning took place at the age of 31 to 34 d. Pigs treated with PHA grew faster (P = 0.013) during the first week postweaning and tended to have lower total diarrhea scores (P = 0.10) than did control pigs. On d 5 after weaning, piglets treated with PHA spent more time eating (P = 0.028) than control pigs. No immunostimulating effect of PHA, measured by plasma immunoglobulin G, could be detected. An increase in the intestinal barrier properties before weaning, as a response to PHA treatment, was demonstrated in intestinal absorption studies using Na-fluorescein and BSA as gavage-fed markers. Less uptake (measured as plasma concentrations) of the marker molecule Na-fluorescein occurred during a 24-h study period, and numerically lower levels of BSA were observed compared with studies in control pigs of the same age. A total of 12 pigs (6 control, 6 PHA-treated) were euthanized on the day of weaning for analyses of gastrointestinal properties. The PHA-treated pigs tended to have a longer total small intestinal length (P = 0.063) than that of the control pigs. The enzyme profile of the jejunal epithelium responded to PHA exposure with a decrease in lactase activity and an increase in maltase and sucrase activities, which is similar to changes normally observed after weaning. No differences were found in the size of the pancreas or in its contents of trypsin and amylase. In conclusion, exposing piglets to crude, red kidney bean lectin for 3 d during the week before weaning led to changes in performance and small intestinal functional properties that would be expected to contribute to a more successful weaning.     

Transmissible gastroenteritis: demonstration of the virus from field specimens by means of cell culture and pig inoculation.

Isolation of transmissible gastroenteritis virus was attempted from segments of jejunum collected from piglets submitted for diagnosis of transmissible gastroenteritis. The virus was isolated more frequently in susceptible piglets than in pig kidney or pig thyroid cells. Practically, both cell systems were equally capable of demonstrating the virus when the tissue suspensions were sonicated. The pig thyroid cells prepared with glands collected from minimal disease pigs were preferred to the pig kidney cells for initial virus isolation because of their ability to respond to transmissible gastroenteritis virus with a progressive cytopathic effect. However, the pig thyroid cells, prepared from pool of glands collected in abattoirs, were often contaminated with parvoviruses and could not be used for diagnostic work. Controlled ultrasound treatments of the inoculum increased the frequency of virus isolation in both cell systems.     

日粮锌源和锌水平对断奶仔猪血清及组织铜、铁、锌沉积的影响

选用临床检查健康的(26±2)日龄"杜×长×大"三元杂交断奶仔猪100头,按体质量和性别随机分为5组,每组20头,分别饲喂基础日粮、基础日粮+2000mg/kg氧化锌、基础日粮+3000mg/kg氧化锌、基础日粮+250mg/kg蛋氨酸锌、基础日粮+500mg/kg蛋氨酸锌。试验期14d。于断奶后0,7,14d,经前腔静脉采血,用原子吸收光谱仪检测血清中铜、铁、锌水平。试验结束时,每组选5头仔猪放血致死,取心、肝、肾、脑、脾、胸腺组织,测定铜、铁、锌含量。结果显示,仔猪断奶后,血清中铜、锌水平显著或极显著下降(P0.05或P0.01);添加不同锌源和锌水平的高锌日粮能提高断奶仔猪肝、肾、脑、血清锌的含量,显著或极显著降低仔猪血清铜和心、胸腺铜以及脾铁水平(P0.05或P0.01),对血清铁及其他组织铁含量无明显影响。这表明高锌日粮能增加断奶应激仔猪体内锌水平,降低部分组织中铜、铁含量。     

Effects of ochratoxin A on some production traits, lipid peroxide and glutathione redox status of weaned piglets

The effect of feeding ochratoxin A (OTA) contaminated diet (379.6 and 338.1 microg/kg in starter and grower diets) on production traits, lipid peroxidation and some parameters of the glutathione redox system were investigated in weaned piglets over a seven-week period. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not differ significantly, but in the first phase (0-28 days) the daily weight gain was significantly lower in the piglets fed the OTA-contaminated diet. Lipid peroxidation, as measured by the amount of malondialdehyde, glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity, did not change significantly in the blood plasma and red blood cell haemolysate in the OTA-loaded group, while malondialdehyde content increased significantly in the liver and markedly but not significantly in the kidney of piglets fed OTA-contaminated feed. Glutathione content did not differ significantly in the studied organs of the two groups while glutathione peroxidase activity of the OTA-loaded animals was significantly lower both in the liver and in the kidney. The results suggest that the use of feed-stuffs contaminated with low levels of OTA for seven weeks did not cause marked differences in the production traits or in lipid peroxidation and amount or activity of the glutathione redox system in the blood plasma, red blood cells and kidney, while significant changes occurred in the liver homogenate.     

Bilateral kidney translocation in sheep

Bilateral kidney translocation was performed on 7 adult sheep. In each sheep, we took 9 renal biopsy specimens (40 mg each) percutaneously between 36 and 110 days after surgery. The serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations remained normal, at least through postoperative day 66 (7 biopsy specimens). The 7 sheep were euthanatized and necropsied 113 days after surgery; 75 to 90% of each kidney was normal. The only abnormal areas of each kidney were attributable to resolving biopsy lesions. This surgical model may allow for fewer animals to be used for tissue residue or nephrotoxicity studies.     

Tissue Expression Profile and Differential Expression of LTβR Gene in Sutai Piglets of Different Ages

Dynamic changes of LTβR expression levels in 11 tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, muscle, thymus, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum) of Sutai piglets ranging from newborn to post-weaning days 8, 18, 30, and 35 were compared and analyzed by the Real-time PCR method, which aimed to provide theoretical basis for further investigate the relationship between LTβR gene and pathogenicity of E.coli F18.The results revealed that the LTβR expression levels were higher in the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum, and showed obvious age-dependent expression differentiation.The LTβR expression levels in the lymph node, duodenum, and jejunum were extremely significant higher in 8 days old piglets than in the other age stages (P<0.01), and the expression levels were extremely significantly higher in the lungs of 8 days old piglets than in 35 days old piglets (P<0.01) and significantly higher than 30 days old piglets (P<0.05).In the liver tissue, the expression level was extremely significant higher in 35 days old piglets than in other age stages (P<0.01).In the stomach tissue, the expression level was significantly higher in 35 days old piglets than in 18 days old piglets (P<0.05).The results speculated that intestinal immune barrier of piglets formed rapidly around 8 days old and the higher LTβR expression could contribute to the resistance to E.coli F18.     

不同日龄苏太仔猪LTβR基因组织表达谱及发育性表达规律分析

试验旨在探讨LTβR基因在仔猪出生至断奶期间的mRNA表达变化,为进一步研究该基因与F18大肠杆菌致病的相关性提供理论依据。本试验选取从初生到断奶的4个日龄(8、18、30和35日龄)苏太仔猪各4头,利用实时荧光定量PCR方法分别比较分析了LTβR基因在各个体11个组织(心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、胃、肌肉、胸腺、淋巴结、十二指肠及空肠)间的表达规律。结果表明,LTβR基因在肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、胃、淋巴结、十二指肠及空肠组织中呈现较高水平的表达,并且表现出明显的发育性表达差异。LTβR基因在8日龄仔猪淋巴、十二指肠和空肠组织中的表达极显著高于其他日龄(P<0.01);在8日龄仔猪肺脏组织中的表达极显著高于35日龄(P<0.01),且显著高于30日龄(P<0.05);在35日龄仔猪肝脏组织中的表达极显著高于其他日龄(P<0.01);在35日龄仔猪胃组织中的表达显著高于18日龄(P<0.05)。由此推测,8日龄左右为仔猪肠道免疫屏障快速形成期,LTβR基因的较高表达可能有利于仔猪对F18大肠杆菌抗性。     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. III. Rotavirus infection

The prevalence of rotavirus infection was studied in 1090 litters from 26 sow herds. Samples of normal, semifluid and watery stools were examined for rotavirus by an ELISA-test on faeces. Rotavirus was detected in 77% of the herds and in 30.5% of the litters (prevalence rates). The highest prevalence rate was seen in piglets between 21 and 41 days of age. Gilts' litters had a very high prevalence during the first week of life. Apart from this, no difference was found between litters from gilts and older sows. Rotavirus was detected more frequently in semiliquid, loose stools than in normal or watery stools, and an association between virus detection and diarrhoea could not be demonstrated. However, litters which shedded rotavirus during the suckling period had lower weight gains and higher incidence rates of respiratory diseases than virus-free litters. Litters weaned at 2 weeks in battery cages had slightly increased risk of shedding rotavirus compared to litters weaned in more traditional systems. The study revealed that rotavirus is widespread in Danish swine herds. The findings give evidence to suggest that the type of mild diarrhoea in 3-week-old piglets known as steatorrhoea or "white scours" may be associated with rotavirus infection, possibly in combination with E. coli and other agents. The high prevalence in piglets weaned at 2 weeks plus the higher morbidity and mortality among such piglets sustain the conclusion that piglets should not be weaned before 3 weeks of age or below a body weight of 6-7 kg.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. IV. Pathogenicity of porcine rotavirus

Colostrum-deprived piglets inoculated with rotavirus 24 h after birth developed a profuse diarrhoea that spread to non-inoculated, colostrum-deprived litter mates and, occassionally, to colostrum-fed piglets. Case fatality rates in these 3 categories of piglets were 63.2%, 35.7% and 8.3%, respectively. Surviving piglets recovered in 1-2 weeks, but shedded virus via the faeces for up to 3 weeks p.i. The D-xylose test revealed severe malabsorption, with extremely flat absorption curves for up to 3-4 weeks p.i. Malabsorption was more marked in piglets with a long-lasting faecal virus excretion than in piglets where virus disappeared from the faeces within 10 days p.i. Infected piglets (colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived) had decreased weight gains and were 5 days older at a bodyweight of 25 kg than non-inoculated controls. It is concluded that rotavirus is probably of significance in diarrhoeal syndromes in suckling piglets, alone or in combination with E. coli or other pathogens.     

Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats with mild chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES: In cats with concurrent hyperthyroidism and non-thyroidal illnesses such as chronic kidney disease, total thyroxine concentrations are often within the laboratory reference range (19 to 55 nmol/l). The objective of the study was to determine total thyroxine, free thyroxine and/or thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations in cats with mild chronic kidney disease. METHODS: Total thyroxine, free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured in three groups. The hyperthyroidism-chronic kidney disease group (n=16) had chronic kidney disease and clinical signs compatible with hyperthyroidism but a plasma total thyroxine concentration within the reference range. These cats were subsequently confirmed to be hyperthyroid at a later date. The chronic kidney disease-only group (n=20) had chronic kidney disease but no signs of hyperthyroidism. The normal group (n=20) comprised clinically healthy senior (>8 years) cats. RESULTS: In 4 of 20 euthyroid chronic kidney disease cats, free thyroxine concentrations were borderline or high (> or =40 pmol/l). In the hyperthyroidism-chronic kidney disease group, free thyroxine was high in 15 of 16 cats, while thyroid-stimulating hormone was low in 16 of 16 cats. Most hyperthyroidism-chronic kidney disease cats (14 of 16) had total thyroxine greater than 30 nmol/l, whereas all the chronic kidney disease-only cats had total thyroxine less than 30 nmol/l. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The combined measurement of free thyroxine with total thyroxine or thyroid-stimulating hormone may be of merit in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats with chronic kidney disease.     

Expression of E-cadherin in pig kidney

E-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule that plays an important role in maintaining renal epithelial polarity and integrity. The purpose of this study was to determine the exact cellular localization of E-cadherin in pig kidney. Kidney tissues from pigs were processed for light and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis. E-cadhedrin bands of the same size were detected by immunoblot of samples from rat and pig kidneys. In pig kidney, strong E-cadherin expression was observed in the basolateral plasma membrane of the tubular epithelial cells. E-cadherin immunolabeling was not detected in glomeruli or blood vessels of pig kidney. Double-labeling results demonstrated that E-cadherin was expressed in the calbindin D28k-positive distal convoluted tubule and H⁺-ATPase-positive collecting duct, but not in the aquaporin 1-positive, N-cadherin-positive proximal tubule. In contrast to rat, E-cadherin immunoreactivity was not expressed at detectable levels in the Tamm-Horsfall protein-positive thick ascending limb of pig kidney. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that E-cadherin was localized in both the lateral membranes and basal infoldings of the collecting duct. These results suggest that E-cadherin may be a critical adhesion molecule in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct cells of pig kidney.     

Differential Expression Analysis of MUC4 and MUC13 Genes Between Resistant and Sensitive Weaned Meishan Piglets to ETEC F18

MUC4 and MUC13 genes as important candidate genes for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil (ETEC) F4 resistance,may play an important role in the process of against ETEC F18 infection in weaned piglets. In this study,ETEC F18-resistant and -sensitive weaned Meishan piglets were used,and the expression levels of MUC4 and MUC13 genes in 11 tissues (heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,stomach,muscle,thymus,lymph nodes,duodenum and jejunum) were determined by quantitative Real-time PCR. The results showed that MUC4 and MUC13 genes were broadly expressed with different expression levels in all the 11 tissues. In the thymus and lymph tissues,the expression of MUC4 gene in resistant piglets was significantly higher than that in sensitive piglets (P<0.05);In the lung tissue,theMUC13 gene expression level in resistant individuals was significantly higher than that in sensitive individuals (P<0.05),and in the intestinal tissues of duodenum and jejunum, the expression level of MUC13 gene was relatively higher in resistant individuals. Thus we speculated that the high expression of MUC4 gene in immune tissues and MUC13 gene in intestinal tissues might improve the immune ability of piglets,protect and lubricate the intestinal tract, and resist ETEC F18 infection.     

PRRSV感染仔猪肾组织的超微病理变化分析

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PRRSV）是能引起仔猪高死亡率的疾病,给养猪业带来极大的经济损失。本研究对PRRSV感染仔猪肾组织的病毒定位及产生的超微病理变化进行观察,以期了解PRRSV对肾组织细胞以及血液循环的影响。主要采用透射电镜技术结合血清生化检测、免疫组织化学染色（IHC）,对仔猪感染PRRSV后肾组织进行超微病理学观察及分析。结果发现,PRRSV感染后引起肾组织损伤,病毒主要分布于肾小球、坏死的肾小管上皮细胞胞质及巨噬细胞胞质内;肾小球内足细胞足突广泛融合或微绒毛化,内皮细胞肿胀;肾小管上皮细胞线粒体肿胀、嵴断裂、溶解;间质炎性细胞浸润。PRRSV通过巨噬细胞内复制随血液扩散至肾组织,引起损伤;根据透射电镜观察结果,足细胞足突融合,肾小球血管内皮细胞损伤引起微血栓形成,说明PRRSV感染仔猪后影响了肾小球滤过率,同时,对肾血液微循环系统造成损伤。本研究为阐明PRRSV的感染致病机制提供理论基础。     

Organic acid profiles in feces of pigs with pathogenic or non-pathogenic diarrhea.

A chemical characteristic of the feces of diarrheal piglets permits differentiation among piglets receiving antibiotic treatment and those with colibacillosis or dyspepsia. A high concentration of lactic or succinic acid was observed in the diarrheic feces of piglets receiving antibiotic treatments and those with dyspepsia; however, no lactic or succinic acids were detected in piglets with colibacillosis. There was, however, little difference in the total concentration of organic acids among the three types of diarrheal illnesses. A quantitative analysis of lactic and succinic acids in diarrheic feces might provide a means for rapidly differentiating between colibacillosis and non-pathogenic diarrheas in piglets.     

Bovine kidney tissue/biological fluid correlation for penicillin

Penicillin is one of the most commonly misused drugs in steers and dairy cows. In the US, at slaughter the tolerance is 50 ng/g in kidney and other edible tissues. If the tolerance is exceeded, the carcass may not be used for human food. A preslaughter test for penicillin in an easily accessible biological fluid is needed to predict if the concentration of penicillin is below tolerance in the kidney before the bovine is slaughtered. In this study, 12 steers were injected three times with the approved dose (7000 IU) of penicillin at 12-h intervals. Blood and urine samples were collected at intervals after the final dose of penicillin. At each sampling point, one kidney biopsy sample was collected by laparoscopic surgery in the live animal. Another kidney sample was collected at slaughter. Correlations between plasma and kidney concentrations and between urine and kidney concentrations were determined. These correlations predict with 95% confidence that 99% of the animals will have kidney tissue below penicillin tolerance when the plasma concentration of penicillin is below 0.4 ng/mL and/or the urine penicillin concentration is below 140 ng/mL.     

The effect of diarrhea on the oxidation of 14C-phenylalanine in piglets receiving diets varying in protein and proline concentration.

The oxidation rate of L-[1-14C]phenylalanine in piglets suffering from diarrhea and receiving diets varying in concentration of protein or proline was compared to the oxidation rates in healthy animals. Phenylalanine oxidation was used to indicate the partition of absorbed amino acids between protein synthesis and oxidation. Piglets receiving adequate protein diets and suffering from diarrhea oxidized significantly more phenylalanine (P less than 0.001) than healthy piglets. Piglets receiving additional proline and with symptoms of diarrhea oxidized phenylalanine at rates 50 to 70% higher than healthy piglets. The results show that piglets with diarrhea are less able to retain absorbed amino acids for protein synthesis than healthy pigs. The reduced nitrogen retention commonly observed in animals with diarrhea may be partly explained by the increased catabolism of absorbed amino acids.     

低钙胁迫对胎猪脂质代谢的影响

猪群的钙磷代谢紊乱是影响猪场经济效益的长久问题之一。妊娠母猪缺钙易致猪群的生产性能下降,其仔猪出生后的育肥效果又相对较差,进一步造成生产利润的丢失。本文就妊娠母猪发生钙流失对胎猪脂质代谢方面的影响进行了深入地研究。试验将20头健康的7～8胎龄母猪随机分为对照组（control,CON）和低钙组（low-calcium,LCa）,每组10头作生物学重复。按不同钙磷比配置日粮,于母猪妊娠第85天连续饲喂至第114天分娩。仔猪出生后立即采集其血液和肝肾组织样本。运用代谢组学技术分析仔猪代谢通路的变化;生化仪检测血清中的脂类物质;ELISA方法检测脂质代谢指标;荧光定量检测脂质代谢相关基因的表达。结果表明：低钙胁迫主要影响了胎猪的甘油磷脂代谢通路,同时对脂肪酸代谢及棕榈酸的合成等也造成了一定的干扰;仔猪血清中脂类物质的含量无明显变化（P>0.05）;低钙胁迫显著影响了胎猪体内FAS、Visfatin以及Resistin的分泌（P<0.05）;低钙组仔猪肝中SCD、LDLR,肾中SCD、FABP4、HSD17B12以及ABCC4基因的mRNA表达量显著降低（P<0.05）。以上结果提示,妊娠母猪缺钙可致使胎猪脂质代谢受影响,可能会不利于其生长发育。     

日粮锌源和添加水平对断奶仔猪组织锌及粪便排泄锌含量的影响

试验选用21日龄"杜×长×大"三元杂交的断奶仔猪40头,按体重和性别随机分成4组(Ⅰ～Ⅳ组),每组10头猪。分别饲喂添加氧化锌(以锌量计)Ⅰ组(对照组)100 mg/kg、Ⅱ组3 000 mg/kg和蛋氨酸锌(以锌量计)Ⅲ组100 mg/kg、Ⅳ组300 mg/kg的基础日粮,预试验7 d,正式试验42 d,结果表明:高锌3 000 mg/kg氧化锌使肝脏、肾脏和十二指肠锌含量极显著升高(P0.01),十二指肠和肝脏锌含量Ⅳ组显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅲ组,脾脏、淋巴结锌含量各组间差异均不显著(P0.05);高锌日粮可使断奶仔猪粪便中锌排泄浓度显著增加,易造成环境污染,日粮添加相同剂量锌的蛋氨酸锌组猪粪便中锌排泄量低于氧化锌组。