Litter Body Weight Research Articles

The effect of chronic, non-pathogenic maternal immune activation on offspring postnatal muscle and immune outcomes.

The objective was to determine the effects of maternal inflammation on offspring muscle development and postnatal innate immune response. Sixteen first-parity gilts were randomly allotted to repeated intravenous injections with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n=8, treatment code INFLAM) or comparable volume of phosphate buffered saline (CON, n=8). Injections took place every other day from gestational day (GD) 70 to GD 84 with an initial dose of 10μg LPS/kg body weight (BW) increasing by 12% each time to prevent endotoxin tolerance. On GD 70, 76, and 84, blood was collected at 0 and 4h postinjection via jugular or ear venipuncture to determine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β concentrations. After farrowing, litter mortality was recorded, and the pig closest to litter BW average was used for dissection and muscle fiber characterization. On weaning (postnatal day [PND] 21), pigs were weighed individually and 2 barrows closest to litter BW average were selected for another study. The third barrow closest to litter BW average was selected for the postnatal LPS challenge. On PND 52, pigs were given 5μg LPS/kg BW via intraperitoneal injection, and blood was collected at 0, 4, and 8h postinjection to determine TNF-α concentration. INFLAM gilt TNF-α concentration increased (P<0.01) 4h postinjection compared to 0h postinjection, while CON gilt TNF-α concentration did not differ between time points. INFLAM gilt IL-6 and IL-1β concentrations increased (P=0.03) 4h postinjection compared to 0h postinjection on GD 70, but did not differ between time points on GD 76 and 84. There were no differences between INFLAM and CON gilts litter mortality outcomes (P≥0.13), but INFLAM pigs were smaller (P=0.04) at birth and tended (P=0.09) to be smaller at weaning. Muscle and organ weights did not differ (P≥0.17) between treatments, with the exception of semitendinosus, which was smaller (P<0.01) in INFLAM pigs. INFLAM pigs tended (P=0.06) to have larger type I fibers. INFLAM pig TNF-α concentration did not differ across time, while CON pig TNF-α concentration peaked (P=0.01) 4h postinjection. TNF-α concentration did not differ between treatments at 0 and 8h postinjection, but CON pigs had increased (P=0.01) TNF-α compared to INFLAM pigs 4h postinjection. Overall, maternal immune activation did not alter pig muscle development, but resulted in suppressed innate immune activation.

Injecting postpartal gilts or sows with a supraphysiological dose of oxytocin: effects on sow and piglet performances.

The goal of this project was to determine the effects of a supraphysiological dose of oxytocin given to gilts or multiparous sows 8 to 12h after the end of farrowing on the performance of their progeny. Sows from three parity groups (1 = parity 1; 2 = parities 2, 3, and 4; 3 = parities 5 to 14) received no injection (CTL, controls; n = 17, 27, and 23 for parity groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) or one intramuscular injection of 75 IU of oxytocin (OXY, n = 17, 24, and 26 for parity groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) 8 to 12h after birth of the last piglet. Colostrum samples were obtained 8h after oxytocin injection in 18 sows from parity group 2 (CTL, n = 10; OXY, n = 8). Standard milk composition was measured as well as the Na/K ratio, and IGF-1, IgG, and IgA concentrations. The same sows were used to obtain blood samples from four male piglets of average litter body weight (BW) 8h post-treatment to measure concentrations of IGF-1, IgG, and IgA. Piglets and sows were weighed at farrowing and weaning (day 21) and sow feed intake and piglet mortality were recorded. There was no effect of OXY on sow or piglet BW at any measured times and percent preweaning piglet mortality was not affected by OXY or parity. First-parity sows had lower BW than multiparous sows at both times (P < 0.001), and piglet average daily gain from birth to weaning was greater in parity group 2 compared with first-parity litters (P < 0.05). Average daily sow feed intake over the first week of lactation tended to be greater in OXY vs CTL sows (P = 0.07), and multiparous sows consumed more feed than first-parity sows on all weeks of lactation (P < 0.001). Eight hours after treatment, there was a tendency for colostral Na to be greater in OXY vs CTL sows (P = 0.06), and none of the measured variables in piglet blood were affected by treatment. In conclusion, injecting 75 IU of oxytocin 8 to 12h after the birth of the last piglet did not prolong the period of colostrogenesis or improve the growth or survival of piglets and this was consistent across parities.

220 Impact of Bump Feeding During Late Gestation on Reproductive Performance of Over-Conditioned Sows

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effect of bump-feeding during late gestation on reproductive performance of multiparous over-conditioned sows. A total of 220 PIC Camborough sows were assigned to one of three feeding levels in a completely randomized design. Caliper was individually collected at d 90 of gestation from a larger group of sows to assess body condition, and only sows from parity 1+ and considered over-conditioned by the sow caliper were selected for the study. Sows were equally balanced by parity (P1 and P2 as young, and P3+ as mature) when allocated to treatments. All sows were fed a common gestation diet containing 3.20 Mcal of metabolizable energy (ME) per kg and 0.56% standardized ileal digestible lysine, but feed drop-boxes were adjusted to different feeding levels according to treatment. Treatments consisted of 5.09 Mcal of ME/d (1.59 kg/d; CONTROL), 6.54 Mcal of ME/d (2.04 kg/d; 0.45kg-BUMP), or 8.00 Mcal of ME/d (2.49 kg/d; 0.90kg-BUMP); and fed to sows from d 90 of gestation until they were moved to the farrowing room. Sows were housed in crates during gestation. Sow body weight (BW) and caliper measurements were collected at pre-farrowing and weaning, and their difference was calculated. Additionally, post-farrowing 48h BW was predicted using the following equation: 48h post-farrow BW = -20.81 + (0.98 × pre-farrow BW). Total born, born alive (BA), stillborn (SB), and mummified were collected for each sow at farrowing. Individual piglet BW were recorded at birth, at cross-foster, and at weaning. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model considering sow as the experimental unit. Models included treatment, parity group, and their interaction as fixed effects. Covariates were included if they were statistically significant and improved model fit. There was no treatment by parity group interaction for any response criteria. There was no evidence for differences between treatments for caliper at d 90 of gestation, caliper pre-farrow, caliper at weaning, or caliper change between d 90 to pre-farrow and pre-farrow to weaning (P &amp;gt;0.10; Table 1). Sows that received 0.90 kg-BUMP were marginally heavier at farrow than CONTROL sows (P &amp;lt; 0.10), with those receiving 0.45 kg-BUMP intermediate. CONTROL sows lost less BW during lactation compared with 0.45kg-BUMP sows (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with 0.90 kg-BUMP sows intermediate. Sows receiving 0.45kg-BUMP from d90 of gestation to farrowing had greater percentage BA piglets and decreased percentage SB compared with sows receiving 0.90 kg-BUMP (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with CONTROL sows intermediate. There was no evidence (P &amp;gt;0.10) for treatment differences for piglet birth weight, litter and piglet BW gain, or percentage weaned piglets. In summary, increasing the feeding level for over-conditioned sows during late gestation did not impact sow reproductive or litter performances.

Importance of Breed, Parity and Sow Colostrum Components on Litter Performance and Health.

Simple SummaryColostrum quality and quantity can influence the growth, health, and survival of sow offspring, and can therefore influence sow productive performance. Colostrum quality can be affected by a multitude of factors; of these, the breed of the sows and its parity were investigated in the present study. The aim of the study was to identify the influence of sow breed and parity on colostrum components and to associate these with the survival, growth, and occurrence of diarrhoea of their litters. The results revealed that a more robust breed, such as Duroc, could have more colostral immunoglobulins (Igs) than the Large White and Landrace breeds. Gilts are characterised by a higher fat % and number of somatic cells (SCs), which are positively correlated to each other. Piglet survivability until weaning can increase with an increased quantity of IgA and SCs in the colostrum; piglet diarrhoea can decrease with an increased quantity of IgA. Increasing knowledge regarding swine colostrum composition and its relation to litter performance can help in designing new intervention strategies to improve the welfare and economic sustainability of pig rearing systems.The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of breed and parity on colostrum components, and to associate sow breed, parity, and colostrum components with survival, growth, and the occurrence of diarrhoea of their litters. In Experiment 1, 64 sows (Duroc = 13; Landrace = 17 and Large White = 34) were included. In Experiment 2, 71 sows with different parities (1 = 10; 2 = 16; 3 = 13; 4 = 12; ≥5 = 20) were included. The number (N) of live piglets, litter body weight (Experiment 1), and the occurrence of diarrhoea (Experiment 1) were recorded at farrowing, at 2–3 days of age, and at weaning. Colostrum was analysed for proximate composition, immunoglobulins (Igs), and somatic cell count (SCC). Stepwise regressions and ANOVA models were used to associate breed, parity, and colostrum components with litter performance. The Duroc breed had the highest IgG and IgA (p < 0.005). Gilts had a higher fat% and SCC (p< 0.0001); these compounds were positively correlated (r = 0.45). Increased IgA tended to increase the N of weaned piglets (p = 0.058) and reduce litter diarrhoea (p = 0.021). The SCC increased the N of weaned piglets (p = 0.031). Overall, this study confirmed that breed and parity can influence the colostrum composition and highlighted the key role of Igs and somatic cells in piglet health.

NLRP3 Inhibitor Tranilast Attenuates Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Genetic Mouse Model.

Background and ObjectiveThis study was designed to explore the protective effects of a clinically available NLR family Pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inhibitor, tranilast, in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mice.MethodsWe used pregnant C57BL/KsJdb/+ (db/+) female mice as GDM mice, then orally administered 20 mg/kg of tranilast or metformin daily for 2 weeks. A glucose tolerance test and an insulin resistance test were used to evaluate the severity of diabetes in tranilast/metformin-treated GDM mice. After delivery, newborn mice were counted and weighed to measure their protective role on the reproductive outcome of GDM mice. Next, we determined the expression of NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokines in the visceral adipose tissue and placenta of GDM mice using western blot and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we determined the proinflammatory cytokines in the serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsTranilast significantly ameliorated GDM symptoms, including maternal body weight, hyperglycemia, insulin insufficiency, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, enlarged litter size, and reduced litter body weight. Additionally, tranilast remarkably reduced the elevated expression of NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokines.ConclusionsOur data clarified the protective role of the NLRP3 inhibitor, tranilast, on GDM by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome as well as inflammatory responses. The findings mean tranilast might serve as a therapeutic drug to treat GDM.

The impact of genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ewe genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters. The study consisted of three genetic merit groups (New Zealand [NZ], High Irish, and Low Irish) and ran from 2016 to 2019, inclusive. Each genetic merit group contained 30 purebred Suffolk and 30 purebred Texel ewes, which were selected based on their maternal genetic indexes in their country of origin, namely Ireland (€uro-star Replacement index) or New Zealand (New Zealand Maternal worth). Ewe body condition score (BCS), ewe body weight (BW), milk yield, milk composition, dry matter intake (DMI), and efficiency parameters were all analyzed using linear mixed models. Ewe BW was similar across all genetic merit groups at each time point (P > 0.05). In comparison to both High and Low Irish ewes, NZ ewes had a higher BCS at mating, mid-pregnancy, lambing, week 10 post-lambing (PL, P < 0.05). Ewe BW change was similar across genetic merit groups, except between mating and mid-pregnancy where ewe BW loss was greater for NZ ewes than Irish ewes (P < 0.05) and between weeks 6 PL and 10 PL, where NZ ewes gained BW and High and Low Irish ewes lost BW (P < 0.01). Ewe milk yield, milk fat, total solids, and gross energy content were superior for milk produced by NZ ewes at week 6 PL in comparison to milk produced by High Irish and Low Irish ewes (P < 0.01). NZ ewes produced a greater quantity of milk solids/kg of BW at week 6 PL compared with High Irish ewes (P < 0.01), whereas Low Irish ewes did not differ from either NZ or High Irish (P > 0.05). Low Irish ewes had a greater daily DMI than High Irish ewes in late lactation (week 10 PL, P < 0.05) and had a greater DMI/kg of ewe BW compared with the High Irish ewes at the same time point (P < 0.05). NZ ewes weaned a litter BW equivalent to 60.4% of their mating BW, which was more than the Low Irish ewes who weaned 57.1% of the ewe’s BW at mating (P < 0.01), whereas the High Irish ewes did not differ from either the NZ or Low Irish ewes at 59.3% of the ewe’s BW at mating (P > 0.05). This study presents a range of parameters across ewes of high and low genetic merit, demonstrating the ability to achieve gains through selection of animals of high genetic merit. Sheep producers should consider genetic indexes as a tool to assist in the decision-making process of selecting replacement ewes and/or breeding rams, once satisfied the animal is correct, and meeting the breeding objectives of the system.

The Use of Torbangun Leaf Powder (Coleus amboinicus L) in Increasing Prolactin in Breastfeedings Wistar Rats and Bodyweight of the Litters

Research on local herbs that have the effect of increasing breast milk production isneeded to help mothers with insufficient breastmilk. This research was conducted to determinethe effect of torbangun (Coleus amboinicus L) leaf powder in increasing prolactin inbreastfeeding Wistar rats and the bodyweight of the litters. Thirty breastfeeding Wistar rats weredivided into 5 groups with 5 litters each. The treatments given were 108 mg, 216 mg, and 432 mgtorbangun leaf powder (TLP), with domperidone as the positive control, and CMC 10% as thenegative control. The treatment was given 3 times/day for 14 days. Tukey's HSD means testshowed a significant difference in prolactin levels between the negative control (NC), TLP1, andTLP2 groups and the TLP3 and positive control (PC) groups with all of them having p = 0.000.There was no difference in the increase in body weight of litters between treatment groups (p =0.866). In conclusion, torbangun leaves increase the prolactin levels in breastfeeding rats buthave no difference in the increase in body weight of litters between treatment groups.&#x0D; Keywords: torbangun leaves; prolactin; bodyweight; breastfeeding

Astrocytic Modulation of Supraoptic Oxytocin Neuronal Activity in Rat Dams with Pup-Deprivation at Different Stages of Lactation.

Appropriate interactions between astrocytes and oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamo- neurohypophysial system are essential for normal lactation. To further explore the mechanisms underlying astrocytic modulation of oxytocin neuronal activity, we observed astrocytic plasticity in the supraoptic nucleus of lactating rats with intermittent pup-deprivation (PD, 20h/day) at early (day 1-5) and middle (day 8-12) stages of lactation. PD at both stages decreased suckling duration and litter's body weight gain. They also significantly increased the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in Western blots while increased GFAP filaments and the colocalization of GFAP filaments with aquaporin 4 (AQP4) puncta in astrocyte processes surrounding oxytocin neuronal somata in immunohistochemistry in the supraoptic nucleus. Suckling between adjacent milk ejections but not shortly after them decreased molecular association between GFAP and AQP4. In hypothalamic slices from male rats, oxytocin treatment (0.1nmol/L, 10min) significantly reduced the length of GFAP filaments and AQP4 puncta in the processes but increased GFAP staining in the somata. These oxytocin effects were blocked by pretreatment of the slices with N-(1,3,4-Thiadiazolyl) nicotinamide (TGN-020, inhibitor of AQP4, 10µmol/L, 5min before oxytocin). In addition, inhibition of AQP4 with TGN-020 blocked excitation in oxytocin neurons evoked by prostaglandin E2, a downstream signal of oxytocin receptor and mediator of oxytocin-evoked burst firing, in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. These results indicate that AQP4-associated astrocytic plasticity is essential for normal oxytocin neuronal activity during lactation and that PD-evoked hypogalactia is associated with astrocytic process expansion following increased GFAP and AQP4 expressions.

Variations in porcine colostrum oligosaccharide composition between breeds and in association with sow maternal performance

BackgroundOligosaccharides (OS) are indigestible carbohydrates naturally found in milk. The composition of porcine colostrum OS may influence the growth and the health of the neonate and consuming optimal concentrations of OS may reduce piglet susceptibility to illness. In this manner, targeted supplementation of animal feed with OS is being explored as a health management tool in the livestock industry. The variation in OS composition between different breeds of pig and its association with the litter performance is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the colostrum OS composition from sows of different breed and parity and correlate this data with sow maternal traits.MethodsEighty-three colostrum samples from parities 1 to 8 were gathered from 3 different breeds of sow: 44 Large White sows, 27 Landrace sows and 12 Duroc sows. Samples were taken between the birth of the first and the last piglet from sows that were not pharmacologically induced to farrow. OS were purified from the samples and analysed by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry (21 OS compositions detected). The farrowing season and the maternal data were recorded for each sow, including the number of live piglets and the litter body weight at birth, at day (d) 3 and at weaning.ResultsFive OS compositions, including isomers of the bifidogenic Sialyllactose, Lacto-N-Tetraose and Lacto-N-Hexaose series, were detected in all the samples. Twelve other OS were identified in at least 50% of samples, and their abundances were affected by breed (P < 0.05; 6 of 12), marginally affected by season (P < 0.10; 3 of 12) and never by parity number. The abundances of each OS component were standardized by Z-score scaling (μ = 0 and SD = 1), transformed by principal component analysis, and four similarity clusters were generated. Cluster membership was associated with litter weight gain within 3 days (P = 0.063) and at weaning (P < 0.05), but not with piglet mortality within 3 days.ConclusionsOS composition of colostrum may partially explain the variability in maternal performance within and between different breeds of sow. The obtained OS data can provide useful information for the development of novel prebiotic food supplements for suckling and weaning pigs.

Effect of Maternal Water Restriction on Sexual Behavior, Reproductive Performance, and Reproductive Hormones of Male Rat Offspring

Simple SummaryDrinking water restriction that a pregnant female may encounter is one of the major stressors that could affect pregnancy outcome and understanding its effects is important in animal welfare concerns and pregnancy outcomes for women or animals. To the best of our knowledge, maternal drinking water restriction has not yet been investigated in previous studies as a potential factor affecting reproductive performance of male rat offspring over first and second generations. Therefore, we aimed to assess the consequences of maternal drinking water restriction stress on sexual behavior, reproductive performance, and reproductive hormones of male rat offspring. The 50% maternal water restriction during the second half of pregnancy reduced body weights of rat dams and offspring at birth and negatively impacted some reproductive characteristics. However, reproductive performance and hormones of males were not adversely affected.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal water restriction on sexual behavior, reproductive performance, and reproductive hormones of male rat offspring. Forty pregnant female rats were divided into two equal groups: Control (C) and water-restricted (WR). Control dams had ad libitum water access throughout pregnancy, while dams in the WR group were subjected to 50% water-restriction from day 10 of pregnancy onwards. The maternal water restriction provoked a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in body weight of dams before delivery and at birth and litter body weights of offspring at birth. Maternal water restriction did not affect relative weights of reproductive and body organs of male rat offspring. All hormonal concentrations, sperm count, and vitality in male rat offspring were not significantly affected by maternal water restriction. Maternal water restriction exposure induced significant (p < 0.05) reduction in intromission latency, intromission frequency, and post-ejaculation interval in male rat offspring while a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the ejaculation latency was detected in maternal WR group. In conclusion, this study suggests that maternal water restriction had a negative impact on some reproductive characteristics but did not severely affect reproductive performance and reproductive hormones of male rat offspring.

Effects of a mixture of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis on the performance of growing-finishing pigs

The study was conducted to determine the effects of a Bacillus-based probiotic (mixture of spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 25840 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 32324 supplementation on growth performance and health of growing-finishing (GF) pigs. A total of 576 GF pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 23.2 + 2.95 kg were allotted to one of two treatments (control diet and probiotic diet). Pigs were blocked by litter origin, BW and sex and allotted to 24 mixed-sex pens (6 entire males and 6 females per pen) per treatment. The GF pigs were fed pelleted diets containing 0 (control diet) or 400 mg/kg (6 × 108 CFU per kg feed; confirmed by analysis) of the Bacillus-based probiotic. The diets were supplied ad libitum as dry feed. Pigs were followed till day 102 after the start of the study. During the grower phase (1–35 days), probiotic supplementation tended to improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P = 0.09). During the finisher phase (35–102 days), probiotic supplementation significantly improved FCR (P = 0.03) and tended to increase the average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.09). During the overall period (1–102 days), probiotic supplementation significantly improved FCR (P = 0.01). Probiotic supplementation did not affect the number of culled and veterinary treated pigs. The number of treatments due to ileitis (an infection with Lawsonia intracellularis), however, tended to be lower in the probiotic group (7 vs 16; P = 0.07). Most pigs showed normal faecal consistency in the grower phase and the mean pen faecal score during the grower phase was similar in the control group and the probiotic group. In conclusion, feeding GF pigs diets supplemented with 400 mg/kg of a Bacillus-based probiotic containing a mixture of viable spores (confirmed by analysis before used in this trial) of two specific strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus subtilis improved the FCR of the GF pigs during the overall fattening period. Moreover, it tended to decrease the number of veterinary treatments due to ileitis.

Isolation and molecular characterization of spermatogonia from male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed in utero and postnatally to dibutyl phthalate or acrylamide

The increased incidence of testicular disorders in young men and the possible influence of environmental chemicals, such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and acrylamide (AA), requires experimental models for identifying modes of action. Most published reproductive toxicologic studies use RNA samples from the total testis to evaluate testicular gene expression; however, analyses of isolated cell types could provide a more specific tool. Among testicular germ cells, spermatogonia are critical since they represent the onset of spermatogenesis. This study aimed, (1) to establish a technique for spermatogonia isolation; (2) to apply this isolation technique to verify possible gene expression alterations (Pou5f1, Kitlg, Mki-67, Bak1 and Spry4) in prepubertal post-natal day, (PND24) and pubertal (PND45) testes after in utero and postnatal exposure to DBP or AA. The technique was efficient for isolation of a majority of spermatogonia. In utero DBP exposure led to reduced litter body weight at birth, reduced anogenital distance of male pups on PND4, and increased frequency of male nipple retention on PND14 compared to controls. DBP-exposed relative testes weights were reduced only at PND24 compared to control but they did not differ at PND45. DBP-exposed animals showed reduced expression levels of Pou5f1 and Mki67 on PND24, and reduced expression of Pou5f1 and Spry4 on PND45. AA exposure reduced expression of Pou5f1, Mki67, and Spry4 at PND45 although not significantly. Our results suggest that DBP acts by reducing cell proliferation and impairing differentiation in prepubertal and pubertal testes.

Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Pup Deprivation-Evoked Aberrant Maternal Behavior and Hypogalactia in Rat Dams and the Underlying Mechanisms

Oxytocin (OT), a hypothalamic neuropeptide, applied through nasal approach (IAO), could improve maternal health during lactation that is disrupted by mother–baby separation; however, the regulation of IAO effects on maternal behaviors and lactation as well as the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using lactating rats, we observed effects of intermittent pup deprivation (PD) with and without IAO on maternal behaviors and lactation as well as the activity of OT neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and the activity of hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis, key factors determining the milk-letdown reflex during lactation and maternal behaviors. The results showed that PD reduced maternal behaviors and lactation efficiency of rat dams as indicated by significantly longer latency to retrieve their pups and low litter’s body weight gains during the observation, respectively. In addition, PD caused early involution of the mammary glands. IAO partially improved these changes in rat dams, which was not as significant as IAO effects on control dams. In the SON, PD decreased c-Fos and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) filaments significantly; IAO made PD-evoked c-Fos reduction insignificant while reduced GFAP filament significantly in PD dams. IAO tended to increase the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (pERK) 1/2 in PD dams. Moreover, PD+IAO significantly increased plasma levels of dam adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone but not OT levels. Lastly, PD+IAO tended to increase the level of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the SON. These results indicate that PD disrupts maternal behaviors and lactation by suppressing the activity of hypothalamic OT-secreting system through expansion of astrocytic processes, which are partially reversed by IAO through removing astrocytic inhibition of OT neuronal activity. However, the improving effect of IAO on the maternal health could be compromised by simultaneous activation of hypothalamic pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Bee pollen and propolis as dietary supplements for rabbit: Effect on reproductive performance of does and on immunological response of does and their offspring

To evaluate the effect of bee pollen (BP) and/or propolis (Pro) supplementation on rabbit does, 64 nulliparous NZW rabbits does were distributed among eight groups (eight animals/group). One unsupplemented group was the control; the other seven groups were supplemented, respectively, with zinc bacitracin (ZnB) at 100mg, BP at 150 and 300mg, Pro at 150 and 300mg, BP+Pro at 150 and 300mg of each three times/week, day after day continuously along eight parities. The BP300, Pro300 and BP+Pro150 groups had higher body weight of litter at birth and number of kids born alive. The BP supplementation at 150mg increased plasma total protein and albumin than the control group. The BP or Pro at 150mg decreased plasma T3 than the other groups except for BP+Pro150. The ZnB group had significantly greater T3 /T4 ratio compared to BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150mg. The BP+Pro150 group had less ALT than the control; BP300 and Pro 300mg resulted in lower plasma AST than the groups Pro150 with or without BP and the control group. The plasma alkaline phosphatase of BP at 150 or 300mg and BP+Pro150 was significantly greater than that of the Pro150 group. The BP+Pro300 group had higher WBCs than the other groups. In contrast, the lymphocytes were greater in the Pro and BP+Pro300 groups than in BP, Pro and BP+Pro at 150mg. The groups supplemented with BP and BP+Pro at 150 and 300mg had significantly greater SRBCs of doe rabbits and their offspring compared to the control and the ZnB group. The BP at 300mg increased the serum albumin and α1 -globulin than the control group. The Pro300 group had greater serum α2 -globulin and β-globulin than the control group. The total globulin was significantly greater for the 300mg propolis-supplemented groups than the control.

Effects of heat stress on piglet production/performance parameters.

Heat stress is problematic for pigs raised in tropical environments. The animal is large and has proportionally high body heat, and subcutaneous fat thickness reduces the animal's ability to thermoregulate. It is not clear how stress affects pig litter size. For this reason, we performed a meta-analysis of the effect of heat stress on pig litter size. We reviewed behavioral, endocrine, and cellular data and the signaling pathways involved in heat stress. We found that heat stress did not affect litter size or the body weight of offspring. However, heat stress was found to decrease litter body weight gain due to reductions in sow milk production. For this reason, artificial feeding of piglets may be appropriate.

Effects of provision of water and nesting material on reproductive performance of native Moo Lath pigs in Lao PDR

This study investigated the effect of providing extra water and nesting material to Moo Lath sows on piglet survival and growth. Three treatments were evaluated in a randomized block design with six sows/treatment. In the Control treatment, sows were not provided with nesting material or extra water apart from that included in the feed (conventional smallholder practice). In treatment NM, nesting material was provided 1–2 days before expected farrowing. In treatment NMW, nesting material as in NM and extra water were provided ad libitum throughout the study. Data on sow feed and water intake, plasma protein concentration (TPP), body weight, and re-mating period, and on litter size, body weight, and survival of piglets, were collected for two reproduction cycles. NMW sows had higher water intake than Control and NM sows (14.7, 4.5, and 4.5 L/day, respectively, SE = 0.2). The weight loss from 2 weeks prior to farrowing until weaning was smaller in NMW than in NM and Control sows (16.0, 23.8, and 22.9 kg, respectively, SE = 0.9). TPP dropped from farrowing until 21 days of lactation in NMW sows, whereas it increased or was unchanged in NM and Control sows. The re-mating period was shorter and the number of litters/year was higher in NMW than in Control and NM sows (2.2, 2.0, and 2.0, respectively, SE = 0.01). Piglet mortality was lower in NMW than in Control and NM (9.5, 43.9, and 26.7%, respectively, SE = 4.9). Piglets in NMW were heavier at weaning and had higher daily weight gain than Control and NM piglets. It was concluded that providing water ad libitum and nesting material improved piglet survival and growth, and that providing water ad libitum improved sow physiological and reproductive fitness. However, provision of nesting material without access to ad libitum water might increase susceptibility to heat stress in sows.

Immunization with Toxoplasma gondii GRA17 Deletion Mutant Induces Partial Protection and Survival in Challenged Mice.

Toxoplasmosis remains a world-threatening disease largely because of the lack of a fully effective vaccine. Here, we created a ΔGRA17 mutant by disrupting the virulence factor GRA17 using CRISPR-Cas9 method. Then, we tested whether ΔGRA17 tachyzoites can be used as a live-attenuated vaccine against acute, chronic, and congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Immune response evoked by ΔGRA17 immunization suggested a sequential Th1 and Th2 T cell response, indicated by high levels of Th1 and a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokines at 28 and 70 days after immunization, respectively. ΔGRA17-mediated immunity fully protected mice against lethal infection with wild-type (wt) RH strain, heterologous challenge with PYS, and TgC7 strains of the Chinese ToxoDB#9 genotype, and T. gondii Pru strain. Although parasite cysts were detected in 8 out of 10 immunized mice, cyst burden in the brain was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in immunized mice (53 ± 15 cysts/brain) compared to non-immunized mice (4,296 ± 687 cysts/brain). In respect to congenital infection, the litter size, survival rate, and body weight (BW) of pups born to ΔGRA17-immunized dams were not different compared to pups born to naïve control dams (P = 0.24). However, a marked reduction in the litter size (P < 0.001), survival rate, and BW (P < 0.01) of pups born to non-immunized and infected dams was detected. Also, immunized dams infected with type II Pru strain had significantly (P < 0.001) less cyst burden in the brain compared with non-immunized and infected dams. These findings show that immunization with ΔGRA17 strain evokes cell-mediated and neutralizing antibody responses and confers some degree of protection against challenge with homologous and heterologous virulent T. gondii strains.

Effects of a carbohydrase complex added in different inclusion rates in feeds for broilers on growth performance, digesta viscosity and foot pad health.

Foot pad dermatitis (FPD) is a widespread disease in poultry and important for economic and animal welfare reasons. It is well recognized that using non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)-degrading enzymes can affect excreta/litter quality (not only in terms of moisture content but also regarding water evaporation) at high stocking densities and might help to prevent FPD and further negative effects of NSP. This study aimed to evaluate effects of a carbohydrase complex (CC) in different dietary inclusion rates on performance, digesta viscosity and foot pad health in broilers from 9 to 37days of life. In total, 240 broilers were divided into 12 floor pens of 20 birds and received one of four different experimental diets. The four wheat- and soyabean meal-based diets only differed in the inclusion rate of CC: 0%, 50%, 100% and 500% of the recommended dose of CC (Endo-1,4-ß-xylanase and Endo-1,3(4)-ß-glucanase; 50g/t). The addition of CC led to a significant decrease of digesta viscosity in the proximal small intestine, a tendency of improved feed conversion ratio, and significantly favoured FPD-scores (Treatment 2). At the higher tested inclusion rate of CC (500% of recommended dose), the FPD score was worser than in the treatments with 50% and 100% of the recommended enzyme dosage. No improvements among treatments were observed in terms of body weight and dry matter content of excreta and litter at the end of trial. The low positive effects on foot pad health in this study were presumably associated with the low NSP content in the experimental diets (soluble arabinoxylans: 7.38g/kg as fed). In conclusion, the addition of the evaluated CC reduced digesta viscosity. An improvement of foot pad health could only be seen in the treatment with 50% of the recommended enzyme dosage in the diet.

Effect of diet supplementation with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on performance of rabbit does and their progenies

&lt;p&gt;A study was conducted to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of rabbit does on their mortality and reproductive performance and the performance of their progeny. A total of 52 cross-bred rabbit does (New Zealand×Californian) were divided into 2 groups differing in diet offered during 2 reproductive cycles and containing (group S; n=26) or not (group C; n=26) 1 g of yeast (Actisaf Sc 47, S.I. LESAFFRE, France)/kg of feed. Natural mating was performed 11 d after kindling and kits were weaned at 28 d of age. Body weight of litters was measured at birth, 21 d and at 28 d of age (weaning). Mortality of kits and rabbit does was monitored daily, and fertility of rabbit does and viability rate of kits at birth were also determined. Weight and litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight gain during lactation and length of gestation were similar between the 2 groups during the 2 cycles. The mortality of does during the experiment was higher in group C than in group S (27 vs. 4%; P&amp;lt;0.05). Fertility rate of rabbits does and viability rate of kits at birth were higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) in rabbits fed with the supplemented diet than those with the control diet during the second lactation. In the first cycle, kit mortality was lower in S group (15.5%) than the C group (24.7%) during the first 21 d (P&amp;lt;0.05). However, no difference was observed during the second lactation. In conclusion, our results suggest that the inclusion of yeast in the diet of rabbit does could trigger positive effects on the fertility and mortality of rabbit does, as well as on the viability rate of kits at birth.&lt;/p&gt;

Phenotypic Characteristics of Indigenous Goat of Bundelkhand

This experiment was undertaken to know the phenotypic characteristics of indigenous goat. The study was conducted to investigate morphometric characters of goat in four different blocks Charkhari, Jaitpur, Panwari and Kabrai of Mahoba. Characteristics of body weight, body length, heart girth, wither height, fore leg length; hind leg length, head length, ear length, ear width, horn length etc were collected from mature goat. The results indicate that the average litter size, birth weight, weaning weight and body weight gain were comparatively higher in goat of Jaitpur than those of other three blocks. The average numbers of service/conception, post partum heat period (days), age at first heat (days), age at first kidding (days), kidding interval (days), gestation length were 1.45, 49.96, 347.11, 538.03, 358.92, 150.82 respectively in Jaitpur block flock which were comparatively better than the other three blocks. The average litter size, birth weight male, female (kg), weaning weight (kg), body weight gain (g), milk yield (kg) and lactation length in Jaitpur block flock were 1.65, 1.40, 1.16, 6.31, 52.09, 100.38 and 155.96 consequently. The average milk composition of fat, protein, lactose, SNF and mineral were 5.5, 3.9, 5.7, 10.9 and 0.7, respectively in all block. The overall performance of the goat of Jaitpur block flock were comparatively better than the others which may be due to the result of selective breeding, improve feeding, housing, health management etc.