Performance and endocrine responses of group housed weaner pigs exposed to the air quality of a commercial environment

The growth performance and endocrine responses of male weaner pigs (3 to 8 weeks of age) was evaluated in two different environments (clean and dirty) and housing (single or groups of 10 pigs/pen) conditions. The dirty environment contained significantly elevated ammonia, carbon dioxide and dust levels compared with the clean environment. Pigs grew faster and consumed more feed in the clean environment and this was associated with reduced plasma cortisol concentrations compared with pigs in the dirty environment. Pigs housed in groups in the dirty environment had increased β-endorphin and decreased IGF-I concentrations compared to group housed pigs in the clean environment. Feed conversion efficiency did not differ due to environment or group housing. Plasma concentration of cortisol, β-endorphin, IGF-I and IGF-II did not differ between single and group housed pigs. Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was greater in response to environmental conditions than group housing, and this was associated with reduced growth in weaner pigs.     

Effects of Acclimate™ on the frequency and duration of aggressive sequence and growth performance in co-mingled, weaned pigs

Co-mingling weaned pigs often results in aggressive behavior which can result in injury and reduced performance. This experiment examined the effect of Acclimate™, a product reported to reduce equine aggression, on weaned pig aggression and growth performance. Weanling pigs (n=214, avg. wt.=5.93 kg) were blocked by weight, sex and litter (n=25) and randomly assigned to either Acclimate™ treatment or a control group. Acclimate™ treated pigs were marked on the nose, face and neck. Pigs were individually identified and videotaped to determine frequency of aggressive sequence (FAS) and duration of aggression (DOA) on an individual pig basis. Pig weights and feed consumption were used to determine feed intake, total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G). Differences between litter, sex and treatment for FAS, DOA, F/G and ADG were tested using GLM, SAS. Neither Acclimate™ treatment or sex had a significant effect on FAS, TWG or F/G. However, there was a trend towards reduced duration and intensity of aggression in Acclimate™ treated pigs (p=0.1). There was a significant effect of litter (p<0.01) and TWG (p<0.001) on FAS at both 1 and 3 weeks. Acclimate™ treatment of weaned pigs does not decrease FAS, but may decrease the intensity and duration of aggression without negatively effecting growth.     

二丁酰环腺苷酸对猪胴体组成和肉品质的影响

通过皮下注射和饲料添加不同剂量dbcAMP进行饲养试验 ,研究其对肥育猪胴体组成和肉品质的影响。结果表明 :皮下注射 1.0mg/kg和饲料添加 2 0mg/kg对改善肥育猪的胴体组成和肉品质效果最好 ,眼肌面积分别提高31.99%和 36 .39% (P <0 .0 5 ) ;瘦肉率分别提高 12 .4 2 %和 11.94 % (P <0 .0 5 ) ;背膘厚分别降低 19.95 %和 2 0 .97%(P <0 .0 5 )。肌肉粗蛋白含量分别提高 10 .87%和 16 .5 4 % (P <0 .0 5 )。     

四川省外种猪雌激素受体基因对繁殖和生长性状的影响

本试验以四川省外种母猪的 3个品种 (大约克、长白、杜洛克 )为研究对象 ,采用PCR RFLPs的方法检测其ESR基因的PvuⅡ多态性 ,分析了该基因与产仔数及生长性状之间的关系。结果表明 :初产胎次中 ,ESR基因型间总产仔数 (TNB)和产活仔数 (NBA)差异极显著 (P <0 .0 1) ,BB和AA纯合子间TNB和NBA分别相差 5 .97和 3.72头 ,基因加性效应分别为每个B基因 2 .98和 1.86头 ;对于经产胎次 ,总产仔数 (TNB)在AA、AB基因型与BB基因型的差异达到 0 .0 1的极显著水平 ,产活仔数 (NBA)在AA基因型与BB基因型间显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,TNB和NBA母猪每窝BB纯合子比AA纯合子分别多 3.6 8和 2 .89头 ,基因的加性效应为每个B基因分别为 1.84和 1.4 4头。头胎和经产胎次中ESR基因型在初生窝重、2 0日龄头数和窝重、30 / 4 5日龄头数和窝重以及 70日龄窝重之间的差异普遍不显著 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但是以上 6个性状在ESR基因的 3种基因型间存在BB >AB >AA的趋势     

Quantification of stress sensitive markers in single fecal samples do not accurately predict excretion of these in the pig

All feces produced during 24 h were collected from five pigs and cortisol and immunoreactive cortisol metabolites (CICM), and IgA were quantified. Within pigs, the concentrations of CICM and IgA varied extensively between random samples obtained from a single fecal dropping, and deviated in most cases significantly from the true concentration measured in total fecal output (CV 6.7-130%). The CICM and IgA contents varied considerably (CV 8.1-114%) within and between individual fecal droppings from the same pig compared to the total fecal excretion. In conclusion, single random samples could not be used to reliably quantify the total fecal concentration or excretion of CICM or IgA in pigs. Analyses of all feces collected during shorter periods than 24 h did not provide an accurate estimate of the daily excretion of CICM. Thus, the concentration of stress sensitive molecules in random single fecal samples as an indicator of animal welfare should be interpreted with prudence.     

甘肃白猪胴体性状的遗传特性

对甘肃白猪胴体性状及２０～９０ｋｇ阶段日增重的遗传参数进行了估测，并根据估测结果对各性状的遗传特性和各性状间的相互关系进行了分析。此外，还讨论了在选种选育过程中应注意的问题。     

新型秸秆微贮饲料饲喂肉猪的生长动态研究

在饲料资源十分缺乏的宁南山区,将当地玉米秸秆微贮后喂猪,并对其生长动态进行分析研究,结果表明,试验组猪的快速生长阶段比对照组增长22．3d,且该阶段的平均日增重和最大日增重分别比对照组高37．98g和43．31g;在整个育肥期,试验组猪平均日增生463．89g,比对照组的366．67g增加97．22g,提高26．51％,差异显著（P＜0．05）,利用秸秆微贮饲料不但提高了养猪业的经济效益,而且为当地养猪业的大力发展开辟了新的饲料资源途径。     

山西瘦肉型猪(SD-Ⅲ系)基因组DNA的遗传分析(英文)

[目的]为评价山西瘦肉型猪(SD-Ⅲ系)的遗传特性提供相关参数,[方法]本文筛选了8条引物进行AFLP-PCR对30头猪进行了基因组DNA的分析。[结果]共获得206个AFLP标记,单引物获得的标记数在3～15个,群体相似系数为0.931(0.888～0.978)。[结论]AFLP适宜于基因组DNA遗传结构检测;SD-Ⅲ系猪纯度较高。     

Classical swine fever in The Netherlands 1997-1998: a description of organisation and measures to eradicate the disease

The central and regional organisation of the campaign to eradicate the CSF epidemic in the Netherlands in 1997/1998 is described. The main instruments used in the campaign were based on stamping-out and movement restrictions specified by the European Union. Additional instruments were used for the first time, namely, pre-emptive culling of contact and neighbouring farms, compartmentalisation of transport, monthly serological screening in established surveillance areas and supervised repopulation of all farms in the former surveillance zone. Two other measures, the killing of very young piglets and a breeding ban were introduced to reduce production in established surveillance zones. Several factors complicated the eradication campaign, for instance, the late detection of the first infection; artificial insemination as a source of infection; the organisation of pig farming in the Netherlands, with its highly concentrated production and dependence on the transport of stock from one unit to another; insufficient rendering capacity; decreasing sensitivity of clinical inspection; and extremely high costs.     

Age-related changes in porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin (pCBG) as determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The objectives of this study were to develop an assay for the direct measure of porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin (pCBG) and to confirm age-related changes in plasma pCBG concentration. Isolation and purification of pCBG from plasma was performed by affinity chromatography and HPLC–DEAE anion exchange techniques. Analysis by SDS–PAGE revealed two polypeptides (54 and 59 kDa) having similar amino acid homology (>50%) to previously reported sequences of seven mammalian species for the first 33 amino acids. Porcine CBG (20 ng/well) was immobilized to microtiter plates and standards or samples added along with rabbit antiserum developed against the purified pCBG. Goat anti-rabbit IgG-alkaline phosphatase conjugate was added followed by p-NPP substrate. The resultant color development was read at 405 nm. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation (n=26) of a pooled sample were 10 and 15%, respectively. Age-related changes (P<0.001) in plasma pCBG concentration (n=203) from day 3 through 168 of age confirmed that, in the pig, changes seen in the percent distribution of cortisol among protein bound and free forms around day 28 of age are associated with an increase in CBG concentration.