Porcine somatotropin alters insulin response in growing pigs by reducing insulin sensitivity rather than changing responsiveness

Exogenous porcine somatotropin (pST) treatment consistently improves growth performance and reduces fat deposition in pigs, and it is hypothesized that one component of the mechanism is through altering the sensitivity and/or responsiveness to insulin. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of pST treatment on whole-body glucose metabolism in response to varying doses of insulin. Eight barrows were surgically prepared with indwelling catheters and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (0 or 120 μg pST/kg BW · d) for 13 d. Whole-body glucose kinetics were measured during infusion of [6-(3)H]-glucose under basal conditions and during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps at various insulin infusion rates (7, 28, and 140, and 14, 70, and 280 ng insulin/kg BW · min) and alterations in the dose-response parameters were calculated with nonlinear regression. Treatment with pST increased basal plasma concentrations of glucose (36%; P = 0.005), insulin (276%; P = 0.001), and NEFAs (177%; P = 0.01) and decreased the rate of glucose disappearance (-59%; P = 0.001). The responsiveness (maximum response) for steady state glucose infusion rate to maintain glycemia was not altered by pST (112 vs 106 μmol/min · kg; P = 0.78), whereas the sensitivity (effective dose at 50% of maximum response) was increased almost 7-fold (1.3 vs 8.7 ng/mL; P = 0.027). Similar responses were observed for rate of glucose disappearance and insulin-dependent glucose utilization. Therefore, pST-induced insulin resistance with regard to whole-body glucose uptake is due to a reduced sensitivity to insulin, rather than a change in responsiveness.     

Growth performance and chestnut blight incidence (Cryphonectria parasitica) of backcrossed chestnut seedlings in surface mine restoration

Anthropogenic disturbances such as mining for coal have caused significant disturbance to the Appalachian forests of North America. Recovery of these disturbances is highly dependent on restoration methods that encourage natural succession. Unfortunately, current reclamation protocols have resulted in soil compaction and aggressive herbaceous groundcovers that impede the recovery of native trees. To overcome this, methods such as deep ripping and plow and disking were applied to a reclaimed mine land in Ohio, USA Plantings of pure American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and two seedling types (BC₁F₃ and BC₂F₃) bred for resistance to chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) were assessed among different soil preparation treatments over five field seasons. Seedling mortality due to natural infection by chestnut blight was recorded and related to the disease resistance potential of the BC₁F₃ and BC₂F₃ seedlings. The growth and survival of chestnuts in plots that employed either ripping, plow disking, or the combination of the two methods were significantly greater than the control plots. After five seasons, differences existed among the soil treatments; plots that applied deep ripping had the highest survival and growth. When chestnut types were compared, pure American chestnut was the tallest. However, BC₂F₃ chestnut seedlings had the highest survival and lower disease incidence. Results suggest that employing deep ripping with backcrossed chestnut seedlings provides a method for establishing hardwood seedlings in soils impacted by surface mining. Planting methods that promote vigorous growth can be applied more broadly to other regions where anthropogenic disturbances create soil conditions that hinder seedling establishment.     

Vitrification of In Vitro-produced Bovine Embryos by Addition of Ethylene Glycol in One-step

The objective of this study was to simplify two-step addition of cryoprotectant for vitrification of bovine embryos by developing a one-step procedure. Survival was calculated as a percentage of non-vitrified controls developed from the same batch of oocytes. In experiment 1, bovine blastocysts were vitrified following one- or two-step addition of cryoprotectant. Exposure of embryos to cryoprotectant in one-step resulted in survival rates not significantly lower (p > 0.1) than those obtained by two-step addition (85% vs 98%, respectively). Based on these results, experiments 2-4 were designed to test one-step addition of cryoprotectant more rigorously. Experiment 2 exposed day 7 blastocysts to 6, 7 or 8 M ethylene glycol for 2.5 or 3.5 min. At 24 h post-vitrification, survival of embryos was similar, irrespective of ethylene glycol concentration or exposure time (6 M 38%, 7 M 51%, 8 M 59%; 2.5 min 54%, 3.5 min 45%). In experiment 3, blastocysts were exposed to 7 M ethylene glycol for shorter times (30 or 60 s); 30 s exposure resulted in decreased survival (8% vs 31%, p < 0.05). Experiment 4 concerned one-step addition of cryoprotectant to day 6 bovine morulae, exposed to 7 M ethylene glycol for 1 or 1.5 min. There was no difference in survival between exposure times of 1 or 1.5 min (28% vs 45%, respectively; p > 0.1). It is unclear why many embryos survive vitrification with one-step addition of cryoprotectant, but others do not. Although, one-step addition of cryoprotectant simplifies the vitrification procedure, survival rates were inadequate for routine cryopreservation of in vitro-produced bovine embryos.     

Response to metabolic challenges in early lactation dairy cows during treatment with bovine somatotropin

Milk production is increased in lactating cows treated with bovine somatotropin (bST) because a greater portion of absorbed nutrients are partitioned for milk synthesis. This homeorhetic action may be caused by alterations in response of key tissues to homeostatic signals. To examine this theory, acute metabolic challenges were administered to 8 multiparous Holstein cows (61 +/- 2 days postpartum) receiving daily subcutaneous injections of pituitary-derived bST (26.3 mg) or excipient during two 14-day treatment periods (crossover experimental design). Treatment with bST increased milk yield 12%. Feed intake did not change so that net energy balance decreased (+ .5 vs. -4.3 Mcal/day). Plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were chronically elevated in bST-treated cows, consistent with energy balance differences. However, baseline concentrations of glucose, insulin, and glucagon in plasma did not differ. On the last 3 days of treatment, individual metabolic challenges were administered via jugular cannulas: epinephrine (700 ng/kg BW), glucose (250 mg/kg BW), insulin (1.0 micrograms/kg BW), and glucagon (175 ng/kg BW). Plasma glucose was reduced after the insulin challenge to a lesser extent during bST treatment. In bST-treated cows, the increase in plasma NEFA in response to epinephrine was greater, and NEFA concentrations were lowered to a greater extent after insulin and glucose challenges. Glucose, insulin, and glucagon removal rates were not altered, nor was plasma glucose response to epinephrine or glucagon challenges. Treatment of lactating cows with bST primarily altered the response of adipose tissue to homeostatic signals which affect lipid metabolism.     

Fluorometric examination of a lunar sample

We have been unable to detect porphyrins in 13 grams of the bulk fine lunar sample from the Sea of Tranquillity under conditions in which less than 10-(1J) mole per gram of lunar sample could have been detected. By appropriate extraction, however, the lunar sample yields a material which exhibits absorption maxima at 310 and 350 nanometers and a fluorescence maximum at 410 nanometers.     

Effect of exogenous prolactin administration on lactational performance of dairy cows

Eight Holstein cows were utilized to examine the effect of prolactin on lactational performance prior to peak milk production (day 21–34 postpartum) and after peak milk production (day 60–73 postpartum). During each 14 day period, cows received daily intramuscular injections of pituitary-derived bovine prolactin (120 mg; 13.0 IU/ mg protein) or excipient. Cows were housed in a controlled environment at 18.1C, 47.8% relative humidity and a 15 hr light: 9 hr dark cycle. In cows administered exogenous prolactin, circulating prolaction concentrations increased within one-half hr post injection, peaked within 2 to 6 hours and declined through the remainder of the day. Average prolactin concentration in the plasma was increased 2 to 5 fold over the 24 hr period in response to prolactin treatment. Yields of milk and milk components (fat, lactose and protein) were not affected by prolactin treatment in either period but the concentration of -lactalbumin in milk was significantly increased (P<.10) in both periods. Circulating concentrations of somatotropin, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, glucagon, nonesterified fatty acids and glucose were not altered. In prolactin-treated cows, the milking-stimulated prolactin release was decreased at both the PM milking, when circulating concentrations of prolactin were high, and the AM milking, when prolactin concentrations had returned to baseline. Concentration of prolactin in milk tended to increase but was not significantly altered by administration of exogenous prolactin. However, prolactin concentrations in plasma were correlated (r=.56) with milk concentrations. It is clear that postpartum administration of exogenous prolactin during the period of lactation prior to peak milk yield or after peak milk yield does not alter lactational performance in high producing dairy cows.     

Outbreak of foetal infection with bovine pestivirus in a central Queensland beef herd

OBJECTIVE: To describe a significant outbreak of foetal infection and subsequent losses due to bovine pestivirus on a 5200 ha beef breeding and fattening property in central Queensland. DESCRIPTION OF THE HERD: The affected herd consisted of 656 cows, including 269 recently purchased cows, and 221 heifers that were joined in December/January 1995/96. There were approximately 2500 cattle on the property. INVESTIGATION: Following the purchase of 269 cows in October 1995, which were mingled with the existing cow herd, losses were experienced due to foetal infection with bovine pestivirus. These losses were recorded between 1996 and 1999 as: reduced pregnancy rates, losses between pregnancy testing (midpregnancy) and branding (calves averaged 3 months-of-age), losses due to pneumonia and ill-thrift between branding and approximately 12 months-of-age, and losses due to ill-thrift and the chronic wasting form of mucosal disease thereafter. All surviving calves were tested for bovine pestivirus in 1997 at an average of 10 months. Fifty-three calves were identified as persistently infected with bovine pestivirus. A further 110 calf losses could reasonably be attributed to bovine pestivirus infection. Persistently infected cattle were always unthrifty compared to their virus negative counterparts. Only one persistently infected calf was identified, on the basis of severe ill thrift, in the 1997 birth cohort and none in 1998. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak of foetal infection with bovine pestivirus resulted in significant production losses. These losses were recorded over the three years subsequent to the outbreak. Significant numbers of persistently infected calves were not evident among calves born in the two years after this outbreak.     

The Influence of Powdered Coconut Water (ACP‐318®) in In Vitro Maturation of Canine Oocytes

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of powdered coconut water (ACP‐318^®) diluted in high glucose (11.0 mm ) TCM199 in the achievement of nuclear in vitro maturation (IVM) of canine oocytes. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) (n = 632) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups named as group 1 (control group), group 2 (5% powdered coconut water) and group 3 (10% powdered coconut water). The percentage of meiotic resumption (MR) (GVBD to MII) was 39.1% (81/207), 50.2% (108/215) and 46.6% (98/210) for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively (p < 0.05). There were no differences in MR rates among groups 2 and 3. The medium with ACP‐318^® slightly enhanced the nuclear maturation of canine oocytes when a comparison was established with rates of maturation exhibited by oocytes in the experimental group 1 without ACP‐318^® (p < 0.05). The results suggest that oocytes’ nuclear morphology integrity and meiosis achievement were positively influenced when exposed to high glucose TCM199 supplemented with 5% powdered coconut water. Further investigation must be performed for a better understanding of powdered coconut water influence in cellular events during IVM of dog oocytes.