The use of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to study porcine stress syndrome in young, halothane-susceptible pigs: Preliminary results

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies on young, halothane-susceptible pigs (4 wk old) are reported. The proton image shows distinct changes in shape of the hindleg muscle as the stress syndrome develops. Simultaneous evaluations of the "free water" content by volume selective spectroscopy shows an increase of about 40% after onset of the syndrome. The in vivo phosphorus spectrum obtained as a function of time before and after the stress event clearly shows a drop in phosphocreatine with simultaneous increase in inorganic phosphate. A drop in pH can also be detected after some delay. This study illustrates the broad applicability of noninvasive MRI and MRS in investigations of porcine stress syndrome. Key words: PSS, porcine stress syndrome, MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, 31P MRS, phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy