Danish Landrace Research Articles

Efficiency of genomic prediction for boar taint reduction in Danish Landrace pigs.

SummaryGenetic selection against boar taint, which is caused by high skatole and androstenone concentrations in fat, is a more acceptable alternative than is the current practice of castration. Genomic predictors offer an opportunity to overcome the limitations of such selection caused by the phenotype being expressed only in males at slaughter, and this study evaluated different approaches to obtain such predictors. Samples from 1000 pigs were included in a design which was dominated by 421 sib pairs, each pair having one animal with high and one with low skatole concentration (≥0.3 μg/g). All samples were measured for both skatole and androstenone and genotyped using the Illumina SNP60 porcine BeadChip for 62 153 single nucleotide polymorphisms. The accuracy of predicting phenotypes was assessed by cross‐validation using six different genomic evaluation methods: genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and five Bayesian regression methods. In addition, this was compared to the accuracy of predictions using only QTL that showed genome‐wide significance. The range of accuracies obtained by different prediction methods was narrow for androstenone, between 0.29 (Bayes Lasso) and 0.31 (Bayes B), and wider for skatole, between 0.21 (GBLUP) and 0.26 (Bayes SSVS). Relative accuracies, corrected for h 2, were 0.54–0.56 and 0.75–0.94 for androstenone and skatole respectively. The whole‐genome evaluation methods gave greater accuracy than using only the QTL detected in the data. The results demonstrate that GBLUP for androstenone is the simplest genomic technology to implement and was also close to the most accurate method. More specialised models may be preferable for skatole.

Genetic correlation between leg conformation in young pigs, sow reproduction and longevity in Danish pig populations

Selection for sow longevity using information from traits, which are expressed in early life and genetically highly related to longevity, is expected to be more effective than direct selection as it can overcome the disadvantage of late recording of true longevity. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between leg conformation recorded on young pigs, litter size at first parity and longevity of Danish Landrace and Yorkshire sows. Information on conformation from 116,733 Landrace and 89,963 Yorkshire pigs and information on reproduction and longevity from 27,070 Landrace and 11,895 Yorkshire sows were analyzed. All considered traits were low to moderately heritable, ranging from 0.02 to 0.41. In general, both conformation and reproduction traits were favorably genetically correlated with longevity (0.07–0.39 and 0.00–0.58, respectively). These estimates suggest a potential of improving sow longevity by selection on conformation recorded at young age and litter size at first parity.

In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Porous Tantalum Interbody Fusion Devices in a Porcine Spinal Arthrodesis Model.

Animal experimental study. To investigate the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the assessment of lumbar interbody fusion using porous tantalum implants in a porcine spinal fusion model. Porous tantalum has been used successfully as a spinal interbody fusion device. However, to our knowledge, there has been no consensus on the optimal technique for evaluating spinal fusion when using porous tantalum implants. Twelve 12-week-old female Danish Landrace pigs underwent 3 levels of anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L2-3, L4-5 and L6-7. One level was fused using a solid porous tantalum cage with pedicle screw fixation. The other 2 levels were fused using a hollow porous tantalum ring packed with autograft and stabilized anteriorly with staples. Six months postoperatively, T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gadolinium-DTPA contrast-enhanced MRI were obtained on a GE 1.5-T unit. After sacrifice, conventional radiograph and histological examination were carried out. Eleven pigs went through the experiment without complications. On all the MR sequences, there were significant higher signal intensity bands at the vertebrae-implant interface of nonfused segments compared with that of fused segments and the vertebral bone and implants themselves (P < 0.001). There was an agreement between histological findings of fibrous tissues surrounding the implants and the high signal intensity band on T1- and T2-weighted MR images respectively (sensitivity 69.6% and 56.5%, specificity 90.7% and 95.3%), both of which were superior to conventional radiograph images (sensitivity 52.2%, specificity 97.7%), especially the T1-weighted MR images. MR imaging could be an effective and noninvasive way to determine the fusion status of tantalum metal implants. Compared with T2-weighted MR imaging and conventional radiograph, T1-weighted spin-echo MR imaging is more sensitive and specific in detecting nonunion via the lucency between the vertebral body and tantalum metal device. N/A.

The influence of thermal processing on the fatty acid profile of pork and lamb meat fed diet with increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids

The research was carried out on 32 crossbred pigs of Polish Large White×Danish Landrace with Duroc and 80 rams, crossbreds of the Prolific-Dairy Koludzka Sheep with the Ile de France, a meat sheep. The fodder for the animals was enriched with the unsaturated fatty acids originated mainly from linseed and rapeseed oils. The fatty acid profile was determined in cooked longissimus lumborum, roasted triceps brachii and raw ripened rump from pigs as well as in grilled lambs' legs and their corresponding raw materials. Roasting caused the most pronounced increase of the saturated fatty acids and decrease in the polyunsaturated fatty acids of heated pork muscles. The smallest changes were observed in grilled lamb legs. The heating processes applied in this study, in most cases, did not cause essential changes in the indices of pro-health properties of fatty acid, therefore meat in the majority fulfil the latest recommendations of EFSA and FAO/WHO according to human health.

Effect of n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake on its deposition in the body of growing-finishing pigs

Abstract The aim of the current study was to provide information about the relationship between n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and their deposition in the body parts (meat, subcutaneous fat, viscera, and inedible parts) and whole body of growing-finishing pigs. Thirty crossbred pigs – ♂ Duroc × ♀ (Polish Large White × Danish Landrace) were divided into 4 groups (A–D) and grown to 60–105 kg body weight (BW) by feeding isoenergetic (average 13.5 ME MJ/kg) and isolysinic (average 7.4 g/kg standardised ileal digestible lysine) diets, where 10% metabolisable energy was replaced by fat mixtures totalling 3.5% per kg of the diet. Diet A contained 2% fish, 1% rapeseed oils, and 0.5% lard; diet B contained 2.5% rapeseed and 1% linseed oils; diet C contained 2.3% linseed, 1% rapeseed oils, and 0.2% lard; and diet D contained 2.5% linseed and 1% fish oils. The diets had similar linoleic acid (C18:2 n − 6, LA) amounts, but different amounts of linolenic (C18:3 n − 3, ALA, 2.07–8.75 g/kg), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5 n − 3, EPA, 0–0.689 g/kg), docosapentaenoic (C22:5 n − 3, DPA, 0–0.117 g/kg), and docosahexaenoic (C22:6 n − 3, DHA, 0.046–0.907 g/kg) acids. Dietary n − 6/ n − 3 ratio was reduced to 4.78–1.76 (diet A–diet D, respectively) by changing the n − 3 PUFA content. The average total deposition of ALA was approximately two-fold greater in pigs fed diets with high rapeseed-oil contents (diet B; P P P P P P

Imputation of genotypes in Danish purebred and two-way crossbred pigs using low-density panels.

BackgroundGenotype imputation is commonly used as an initial step in genomic selection since the accuracy of genomic selection does not decline if accurately imputed genotypes are used instead of actual genotypes but for a lower cost. Performance of imputation has rarely been investigated in crossbred animals and, in particular, in pigs. The extent and pattern of linkage disequilibrium differ in crossbred versus purebred animals, which may impact the performance of imputation. In this study, first we compared different scenarios of imputation from 5 K to 8 K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genotyped Danish Landrace and Yorkshire and crossbred Landrace-Yorkshire datasets and, second, we compared imputation from 8 K to 60 K SNPs in genotyped purebred and simulated crossbred datasets. All imputations were done using software Beagle version 3.3.2. Then, we investigated the reasons that could explain the differences observed.ResultsGenotype imputation performs as well in crossbred animals as in purebred animals when both parental breeds are included in the reference population. When the size of the reference population is very large, it is not necessary to use a reference population that combines the two breeds to impute the genotypes of purebred animals because a within-breed reference population can provide a very high level of imputation accuracy (correct rate ≥ 0.99, correlation ≥ 0.95). However, to ensure that similar imputation accuracies are obtained for crossbred animals, a reference population that combines both parental purebred animals is required. Imputation accuracies are higher when a larger proportion of haplotypes are shared between the reference population and the validation (imputed) populations.ConclusionsThe results from both real data and pedigree-based simulated data demonstrate that genotype imputation from low-density panels to medium-density panels is highly accurate in both purebred and crossbred pigs. In crossbred pigs, combining the parental purebred animals in the reference population is necessary to obtain high imputation accuracy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-015-0134-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of milrinone and epinephrine or dopamine on biventricular function and hemodynamics in right heart failure after pulmonary regurgitation.

Right ventricular failure (RVF) secondary to pulmonary regurgitation (PR) impairs right ventricular (RV) function and interrupts the interventricular relationship. There are few recommendations for the medical management of severe RVF after prolonged PR. PR was induced in 16 Danish landrace pigs by plication of the pulmonary valve leaflets. Twenty-three pigs served as controls. At reexamination the effect of milrinone, epinephrine, and dopamine was evaluated using biventricular conductance and pulmonary catheters. Seventy-nine days after PR was induced, RV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) had increased by 33% (P = 0.006) and there was a severe decrease in the load-independent measurement of contractility (PRSW) (-58%; P = 0.003). Lower cardiac index (CI) (-28%; P < 0.0001), mean arterial pressure (-15%; P = 0.01) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) (36%; P < 0.0001) were observed compared with the control group. The interventricular septum deviated toward the left ventricle (LV). Milrinone improved RV-PRSW and CI and maintained systemic pressure while reducing central venous pressure (CVP). Epinephrine and dopamine further improved biventricular PRSW and CI equally in a dose-dependent manner. Systemic and pulmonary pressures were higher in the dopamine-treated animals compared with epinephrine-treated animals. None of the treatments improved stroke volume index (SVI) despite increases in contractility. Strong correlation was detected between SVI and LV-EDVI, but not SVI and biventricular contractility. In RVF due to PR, milrinone significantly improved CI, SvO2, and CVP and increased contractility in the RV. Epinephrine and dopamine had equal inotropic effect, but a greater vasopressor effect was observed for dopamine. SV was unchanged due to inability of both treatments to increase LV-EDVI.

A retrospective comparison of aerosolized milrinone and aerosolized iloprost in the setting of post bypass pulmonary hypertension

Background & Aim. Right ventricular failure (RVF) secondary to pulmonary regurgitation (PR) impairs right ventricular (RV) function and interrupts the interventricular relationship. There are few recommendations for the medical management of severe RVF after prolonged PR. Methods. PR was induced in 16 Danish landrace pigs by plication of the pulmonary valve leaflets. Twenty-three pigs served as controls. At re-examination the effect of milrinone, epinephrine and dopamine was evaluated using biventricular conductance and pulmonary catheters. Results. Eighty-one days after PR was induced, RV enddiastolic volume index (EDVI) had increased by 33% (p1⁄40.006) and a severe decrease in the load-independent measurement of contractility (PRSW) (-58%; p1⁄40.003). Lower cardiac index (CI) (-28%; po0.0001), mean arterial pressure (-15%; p1⁄40.01) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) (36%; po0.0001) were observed compared to the control group. The interventricular septum deviated towards the left ventricle (LV). Milrinone improved RV-PRSW and CI and maintained systemic pressure while reducing CVP. Epinephrine and dopamine further improved biventricular PRSW and CI equally in a dose-dependent manner. Systemic and pulmonary pressures were higher in the dopamine-treated animals compared to epinephrine-treated animals. None of the treatments improved stroke volume index (SVI) despite increases in contractility. Strong correlation was detected between SVI and LV-EDVI, but not SVI and biventricular contractility. Conclusion. In RVF due to PR, milrinone significantly improved CI, SvO2 and CVP and increased contractility in the RV. Epinephrine and dopamine had equal inotropic, but a greater vasopressor effect was observed for dopamine. SV was unchanged due to inability of both treatments to increase LVEDVI.

Effects of milrinone and epinephrine or dopamine on biventricular function and hemodynamics in an animal model with right ventricular failure after pulmonary artery banding

Right ventricular (RV) failure due to chronic pressure overload is a main determinant of outcome in congenital heart disease. Medical management is challenging because not only contractility but also the interventricular relationship is important for increasing cardiac output. This study evaluated the effect of milrinone alone and in combination with epinephrine or dopamine on hemodynamics, ventricular performance, and the interventricular relationship. RV failure was induced in 21 Danish landrace pigs by pulmonary artery banding. After 10 wk, animals were reexamined using biventricular pressure-volume conductance catheters. The maximum pressure in the RV increased by 113% (P < 0.0001) and end-diastolic volume by 43% (P < 0.002), while left ventricular (LV) pressure simultaneously decreased (P = 0.006). Concomitantly, mean arterial pressure (MAP; -16%, P = 0.01), cardiac index (CI; -23%, P < 0.0001), and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2 ; -40%, P < 0.0001) decreased. Milrinone increased CI (11%, P = 0.008) and heart rate (HR; 21%, P < 0.0001). Stroke volume index (SVI) decreased (7%, P = 0.03), although RV contractility was improved. The addition of either epinephrine or dopamine further increased CI and HR in a dose-dependent manner but without any significant differences between the two interventions. A more pronounced increase in biventricular contractility was observed in the dopamine-treated animals. LV volume was reduced in both the dopamine and epinephrine groups with increasing doses In the failing pressure overloaded RV, milrinone improved CI and increased contractility. Albeit additional dose-dependent effects of both epinephrine and dopamine on CI and contractility, neither of the interventions improved SVI due to reduced filling of the LV.

Evaluation of 3-Ethyl-3-(phenylpiperazinylbutyl)oxindoles as PET Ligands for the Serotonin 5-HT₇ Receptor: Synthesis, Pharmacology, Radiolabeling, and in Vivo Brain Imaging in Pigs.

We have investigated several oxindole derivatives in the pursuit of a 5-HT7 receptor PET ligand. Herein the synthesis, chiral separation, and pharmacological profiling of two possible PET candidates toward a wide selection of CNS-targets are detailed. Subsequent (11)C-labeling and in vivo evaluation in Danish landrace pigs showed that both ligands displayed high brain uptake. However, neither of the radioligands could be displaced by the 5-HT7 receptor selective inverse agonist SB-269970.

Labeling and preliminary in vivo evaluation of the 5-HT(7) receptor selective agonist [(11)C]E-55888.

E-55888 has been identified as a selective serotonin 7 (5-HT7) receptor agonist. In this study, we describe the synthesis, radiolabeling and in vivo evaluation of [(11)C]E-55888 as a radioligand for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. [(11)C]E-55888 was obtained by N-methylation of an appropriate precursor using [(11)C]MeOTf in acetone at 60 °C giving isolated quantities in the range of 1.7-2.4 GBq. Studies in Danish Landrace pigs demonstrated that [(11)C]E-55888 has good brain uptake, however, the distribution in the brain tissue was dominated by non-specific binding, as binding could neither be displaced by the structurally different 5-HT7 receptor ligand SB-269970 nor by self-block with unlabeled E-55888. Based on these data, [(11)C]E-55888 does not show promise as a PET radioligand for imaging the 5-HT7 receptor in vivo.

(11)C-labeling and preliminary evaluation of pimavanserin as a 5-HT2A receptor PET-radioligand.

Pimavanserin is a selective serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) inverse agonist that has shown promise for treatment of psychotic symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Here, we detail the (11)C-labeling and subsequently evaluate pimavanserin as a PET-radioligand in pigs. [(11)C]Pimavanserin was obtained by N-methylation of an appropriate precursor using [(11)C]MeOTf in acetone at 60°C giving radiochemical yields in the range of 1-1.7GBq (n=4). In Danish Landrace pigs the radio ligand readily entered the brain and displayed binding in the cortex in accordance with the distribution of 5-HT2ARs. However, this binding could not be blocked by either ketanserin or pimavanserin itself, indicating high nonspecific binding. The lack of displacement by the 5-HT2R antagonist and binding in the thalamus suggests that [(11)C]pimavanserin is not selective for the 5-HT2AR in pigs.

Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids metabolism pathways in the body of pigs fed diets with different sources of fatty acids

This study was carried out on 24 gilts (♀ Polish Large White × ♂ Danish Landrace) grown with body weight (BW) of 60 to 105 kg. The pigs were fed diets designed on the basis of a standard diet (appropriate for age and BW of pigs) where a part of the energy content was replaced by different fat supplements: linseed oil in Diet L, rapeseed oil in Diet R and fish oil in Diet F (6 gilts per dietary treatment). The fat supplements were sources of specific fatty acids (FA): in Diet L α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n−3, ALA); in Diet R linoleic acid (C18:2 n−6, LA) and in Diet F eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n−3, EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5 n−3, DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n−3, DHA). The protein, fat and total FA contents in the body did not differ among groups of pigs. The enhanced total intake of LA and ALA by pigs caused an increased deposition of these FA in the body (p < 0.01) and an increased potential body pool of these acids for further metabolism/conversions. The conversion efficiency of LA and ALA from the feed to the pig’s body differed among groups (p < 0.01) and ranged from 64.4% to 67.2% and from 69.4% to 81.7%, respectively. In Groups L and R, the level of de novo synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated FA was higher than in Group F. From the results, it can be concluded that the efficiency of deposition is greater for omega-3 FA than for omega-6 FA and depends on their dietary amount. The level of LA and ALA intake influences not only their deposition in the body but also the end products of the omega-3 and omega-6 pathways.

Drinking behaviour in sows kept outdoors during the winter months

In the light of the EU regulation, “pigs must have permanent access to a sufficient quantity of fresh water” and the practical problems it provides farmers during winter to keep water free of ice, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of periods with frost on the diurnal pattern of water intake in sows kept outdoors with free access to water. The study was performed on an organic pig herd with outdoor sows. Twenty-four Danish Landrace×Yorkshire sows of different parity (mean: 4.5±2.8) housed in individual farrowing paddocks with free access to water provided by a frost-proof drinking bowl were used. The individual sow's water intake from the drinking bowl was measured continuously from six days before farrowing until weaning at seven weeks after farrowing. Temperature of supplied water to each drinking bowl, air temperature and rainfall was measured continuously. Numbers of born alive, stillborn and weaned piglets were recorded. The recording period was divided into two temperature categories; control days (CD) with daily average air temperature at or above 0°C and frosty days (FD) with daily average air temperature below 0°C. The FD included data from 22 days representing 11 sows, while the remaining observations were defined as CD. Average water uptake from six days before farrowing until four weeks after farrowing was higher on FD than CD (28.9±0.8 vs. 23.1±1.8l/day, P<0.001). Across periods, a clear circadian rhythm was found with 70–75% of the water intake taking place between 8.00 and 20.00h. The extra water uptake on FD compared to CD was recorded between 8.00 and 16.00h (P<0.05). Water intake did not differ at night in the period from 20.00 to 8.00h (6.42l vs. 6.44l, respectively for FD and CD). There was no difference between FD and CD in number of visits to the drinking bowl during night (2.1±0.56 and 1.9±0.24 visits/night for FD and CD, respectively). We found higher water intake during frosty days and no difference in water consumption at night between days of frosty and normal weather, which indicates that pigs are motivated to drink even when the weather is cold. However, many farms may not have frost-proof water dispensers, and ice formation could prevent pigs from drinking at night. Thus further work is needed to investigate if sows, during the day, are able to compensate for a lack of uptake of water at night in case of a frozen water resource.

Triphasic response of glomerular filtration rate after experimental brain death in pigs

Background Clinical outcome after transplantation of kidneys derived from deceased brain death (DBD) donors is inferior compared to living donor kidneys. In this observational model, the effect of experimental brain death on renal function was evaluated. Furthermore, we tested the effect of DBD transplantation on inflammation and renal metabolism in donors and recipients. Methods Eight Danish landrace pigs served as DBD donors. After four hours of brain death, kidneys were removed and stored for 19 hours at 4°C in Custodiol®. Next, the donor kidneys were transplanted into eight recipients. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was determined as urinary clearance of 51Cr-EDTA. Results Immediately following brain death, GFR and urine output were reduced while during the second hour hyperfiltration was observed. Subsequently, GFR and urine output decreased again. No systemicor renal inflammation was observed in the donors, while in recipients only renal inflammatory markers were increased ten hours post-reperfusion. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction tended to develop after reperfusion. Conclusions In conclusion, brain death caused a triphasic response of GFR. No systemic inflammation in brain death donors was observed probably due to active control of hemodynamics by fluid administration. These new insights in the effects of brain death may inspire development of new strategies to improve outcome of DBD kidney transplantation.

Associations between PRLR/AluI gene polymorphism with reproductive, growth, and meat traits in pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between genotypes of the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) and reproductive, growth, and meat traits in pigs. Genetic groups of sows were used: Large White (LW), Danish Landrace (LD), and Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc hybrids (L × Y × D). Reproductive traits studied were the total number of born (TNB) and the number born alive (NBA). The growth traits were the number of days to 100 kg and the average daily gains (ADG). The meat traits were the average backfat thickness (BFT), half carcass weight (HCW), area of M. longissimus dorsi (MLT), and lean meat content (LM). The polymorphism was detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. It was found that the genotype BB is associated with the best NBA. In sows LD, the AB genotype is associated with best number of days to 100 kg; in hybrids L × Y × D, the AA genotype is associated with better meat traits as compared to the genotype BB.

The effect of wind shielding and pen position on the average daily weight gain and feed conversion rate of grower/finisher pigs

Pigs are known to be particularly sensitive to heat and cold. If the temperature becomes too low, the pigs will grow less efficiently and be more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia. If the temperature is too high, the pigs will tend to foul the pen, leading to additional risks of infection. Furthermore, unpublished data show that the temperature within a single section of grower/finisher pigs can vary considerably from pen to pen, and previous studies have shown that pigs can be significantly affected by wind, even when not directly exposed to it. To address this latter concern, some pig producers and research stations have implemented a shielding to prevent winds from blowing between separate sections of the pig housing buildings. However, according to our search of the literature, no published studies have ever investigated the effectiveness of such shielding.To determine the significance of the effects of wind shielding, linear mixed models were fitted to describe the average daily weight gain and feed conversion rate of 1271 groups (14 individuals per group) of purebred Duroc, Yorkshire and Danish Landrace boars, as a function of shielding (yes/no), insert season (winter, spring, summer, autumn), start weight and interaction effects between shielding and start weight and shielding and insert season. Such a model was fitted separately to the data collected for each breed. Shielding was found to have significant interaction effects with season (p=0.007) and start weight (p=0.0002) for Duroc pigs, but no effect could be shown for Yorkshire or Danish landrace.To determine the effect of a group׳s placement relative to the central corridor of a grower/finisher station, a similar model was fitted to the data for Duroc pigs, replacing shielding with distance from the corridor (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th pen). The effect could not be tested for Yorkshire and Danish Landrace due to lack of data on these breeds. For groups of pigs above the average start weight, a clear tendency of higher growth rates at greater distances from the central corridor was observed, with the most significant differences being between groups placed in the 1st and 4th pen (p=0.0001). A similar effect was not seen on smaller pigs. Pen placement appears to have no effect on feed conversion rate.No interaction effects between shielding and distance to the corridor could be demonstrated. Furthermore, in models including both factors, the effect of distance to corridor completely dominated over the effect of shielding, suggesting that shielding should at most be considered of secondary importance.

Energy metabolism and methane production in llamas, sheep and goats fed high- and low-quality grass-based diets

This study aimed to test whether the digestive and metabolic characteristics of pseudo ruminants provide superior ability to utilise low-quality diets compared to true ruminants. A total of 18 mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating female animals, including six llamas (Lama glama), six Danish Landrace goats and six Shropshire sheep, were used in a crossover design study. The experiment lasted for two periods of three weeks. Half of the animals were fed either high-quality grass hay (HP) or low-quality grass seed straw (LP) during each period. Animals were placed in metabolic cages during the last 5 d, and gaseous exchange was measured by open-circuit indirect calorimetry for 22 h. Metabolisable energy for maintenance (MEm) and fasting energy expenditure (FEExp) were estimated by regression approach. Dry matter (DM) intake per kg0.75 was substantially reduced in llamas and sheep, but not in goats, on the LP compared to HP diet. Llamas had lower daily energy expenditure (324 kJ · kg−0.75) than sheep (416 kJ · kg−0.75) and goats (404 kJ · kg−0.75) on the LP diet. Llamas in comparison with sheep and goats had lower methane emission (0.83 vs 1.34 and 1.24 l · d−1 · kg−0.75, p < 0.05), lower MEm (328 vs 438 and 394 kJ · d−1 · kg−0.75, p < 0.05) and lower FEExp (246 vs 333 and 414 kJ · d−1 · kg−0.75, p < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, llamas had lower basal metabolic rate and hence maintenance requirements for energy.

11C-labeling and preliminary evaluation of vortioxetine as a PET radioligand

Vortioxetine is a new multi-modal drug against major depressive disorder with high affinity for a range of different serotonergic targets in the CNS. We report the 11C-labeling of vortioxetine with [11C]MeI using a Suzuki-protocol that allows for the presence of an unprotected amine. Preliminary evaluation of [11C]vortioxetine in a Danish Landrace pig showed rapid brain uptake and brain distribution in accordance with the pharmacological profile, all though an unexpected high binding in cerebellum was also observed. [11C]vortioxetine displayed slow tracer kinetics with peak uptake after 60min and with limited wash-out from the brain. Further studies are needed but this radioligand may prove to be a valuable tool in unraveling the clinical effects of vortioxetine.

α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone treatment in pigs does not improve early graft function in kidney transplants from brain dead donors.

Delayed graft function and primary non-function are serious complications following transplantation of kidneys derived from deceased brain dead (DBD) donors. α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide and its renoprotective effects have been demonstrated in models of acute kidney injury. We hypothesized that α-MSH treatment of the recipient improves early graft function and reduces inflammation following DBD kidney transplantation. Eight Danish landrace pigs served as DBD donors. After four hours of brain death both kidneys were removed and stored for 18 hours at 4°C in Custodiol preservation solution. Sixteen recipients were randomized in a paired design into two treatment groups, transplanted simultaneously. α-MSH or a vehicle was administered at start of surgery, during reperfusion and two hours post-reperfusion. The recipients were observed for ten hours following reperfusion. Blood, urine and kidney tissue samples were collected during and at the end of follow-up. α-MSH treatment reduced urine flow and impaired recovery of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) compared to controls. After each dose of α-MSH, a trend towards reduced mean arterial blood pressure and increased heart rate was observed. α-MSH did not affect expression of inflammatory markers. Surprisingly, α-MSH impaired recovery of renal function in the first ten hours following DBD kidney transplantation possibly due to hemodynamic changes. Thus, in a porcine experimental model α-MSH did not reduce renal inflammation and did not improve short-term graft function following DBD kidney transplantation.