Parity Groups Research Articles

The effects of parity and maternal behavior on gene expression in the medial preoptic area and the medial amygdala in postpartum and virgin female rats: A microarray study.

To determine the pattern of gene expression in brains associated with mothering during the postpartum period, in the present study we assessed gene expression through microarrays in four groups of female rats: two groups of new mothers that were experiencing the hormonal and neurochemical changes associated with pregnancy and parturition, and two groups of virgin females that were not. Within each of these parity groups we assessed one group of animals that was exposed to and responded to pups and engaged in maternal behavior, and one group left without any exposure to pups and therefore had no maternal experience. We explored the pattern of expression of genes related to the hormones, neurotransmitters, and modulatory neuropeptides associated with maternal behavior within the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and the medial amygdala (MeA) in the rat. Within the MPOA there were significant main effects of pup exposure for the dopamine-related genes (DRD4 and dopamine transporter, DAT), the glucocorticoid-related gene (CYPX1B1a), the opioid receptor μ-1 gene (OPRM1) and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor gene (GABAbRid). OPRM1 and the serotonin-related gene that regulates biosynthesis of serotonin (5HTR2A) showed a main effect of parity. For both sets of analyses, higher gene expression was associated with pup exposure and parity. Genes expressed in the MeA tended to reside in the glucocorticoid family. The microarrays were able to identify, on a transcriptional level, a list of candidate genes involved in maternal behavior and the factors that surround it.

Grand-multiparity: Is it still an obstetric risk?

Background: Grand-multiparity has been known to be an obstetric risk because of the documented complications associated with the condition, and it is an indication for booking in a tertiary health institution. The increase use of contraceptives and improved health care delivery is expected to reduce both the prevalence and complications of this condition. Aims and Objectives: To determine the prevalence of grandmultiparity, and if it is still associated with the previously documented complications in the obstetric population presenting at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. Materials and Methods: A case controlled retrospective study of grand-multiparous women presenting in our institution over a period of ten years. All grandmultiparous women within the study period were identified from the labour ward register, and women with parity 2 - 4 served as control. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 14. Statistical significance was set at p pre-labour rupture of membranes, 16.2% versus 4.0% (p = 0.004), hypertensive diseases in pregnancy, 27.1% versus 8.1% (p = 0.001), placenta praevia, 15.3% versus 4.0% (p = 0.007) and other medical illnesses, 23.2% versus 6.1% (p = 0.001). Post-partum haemorrhage, anaemia, puerperal sepsis and urinary tract infections were found to be significantly commoner in the grand-multiparous than in the lower parity group (p fetal outcome (OR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.11 - 4.65). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of grand-multiparity is on the downward trend, it still remained an obstetric risk, therefore, the importance of booking and delivery in a well-equipped facility should be emphasized among the obstetric population so as to reduce the complications that were found to be associated with the condition.

Uterotonic drugs use for post partum hemorrhage: An audit of the third stage of labor management

Objectives: Worldwide the use of uterotonic drugs has significantly reduced maternal mortality from postpartum hemorrhage. The objective is to audit the use of uterotonics in the active management of the third and fourth stages of labor. Methods: Personal data, diagnostic clinical information, blood loss and uterotonics administered were extracted from a cohort of 634 consecutive parturient. Trend in Shock Index (Pulse Rate/Systolic Blood Pressure) and 48 hours hematocrit changes were computed and analyzed. Results: There were 422 vagina deliveries and 212 caesarean sections. Primiparous mothers were 141 (34.2%), while grand multiparous mothers were 14 (3.4%). The mean visually estimated postpartum blood loss 165.9 ± 80 ml. There was no significant difference in the mean blood loss between the three parity groups of parturient [P = 0.09]. Fourteen parturient (3.44%) had blood loss ≥500 ml. The value of Shock Index (Pulse Rate/Systolic Blood Pressure) in the study ranged between 0.43 and 1.38. Logistic regression analysis of the variables associated with the switch between the three regimens of uterotonic drugs, showed a significant positive correlation between VEBL and uterotonic drugs administered [Pearson correlation = 0.130, P-value = 0.008]. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between uterotonic drugs administered and Shock Index at 30 minutes and 2 hours postpartum. The correlation coefficient between VEBL and regimens of uterotonic drugs used was positive and significant (P = 0.019). Conclusion: Visually estimated blood loss, with shock are the main Triggers involved in switching between uterotonic drugs regimens used in active management of PPH. Shock index calculation is vital in management decision. We advocate training of all birth attendants on VEBL.

216 EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION DURING THE POSTPARTUM PERIODS OF EARLY LACTATING DAIRY COWS ON INSULIN RESISTANCE AND SOMATOTROPIC AXIS

During periods of negative energy balance, GH cannot stimulate hepatic IGF-1; the condition is termed GH resistance (Donaghy and Baxter, 1996). Studies show that insulin may be a key metabolic signal that regulates the coupling of the somatotropic axis (Butler et al., 2003). The objectives were to test the hypothesis that α-linoleic acid (n-3), or linoleic acid (n-6) could promote insulin resistance in dairy cows. For this goal, Holstein cows were assigned randomly to be fed either 1-soybean whole roast (S, n = 4), or 2-linseed extruded (L, n = 4), or 3-palm oil use a source of saturated fatty acid (C, n = 4), respectively, from calving to 60 DIM. Three diets were formulated to have equal concentrations of DM, ME, and CP, but to differ in ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA (4.2, 1.2, and 3.2 for S, L, and C treatments, respectively). Supplementation of FA was at 1.5% of dietary dry matter. There was no difference between groups (mean ± SEM) in parity (3.0 ± 1.90) or BCS at calving day (3.2 ± 0.07). At Day 60 postpartum, liver tissues (~100 mg) were collected by needle biopsy as described by Rhoads et al. (2008) with minor modifications. Liver tissue was washed with sterile PBS, placed in a screw-cap micro centrifuge tube, snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at –80°C until RNA extraction. We applied real-time PCR for measurement of mRNA abundance. Real-time PCR was executed in triplicate. Reaction mixtures for real-time PCR included 1.5 µL of cDNA as template, 7.5 µL of SYBRR Green PCR Master Mix (ABI, USA), 1 µL of forward primer, 1 µL of reverse primer, and 4 µL of double distilled water. The efficiencies for GHR1A, insulin receptor (IR), IGF-I, and IGFBP-2 were 1.22, 0.99, 1.02, and 1 with an R2 of 0.99 or above for the regression. We used the 2–ΔΔCt method in this model. Rotor Gene analysis software (version 6.0) was used to analyse all the results from the PCR assays. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (2000, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA), in a completely randomised design. Results showed that supplementation with a high level of flaxseed on treatment L for 2 months increased levels of IR mRNA compared with S and C treatments (P < 0.05). The levels of IR mRNA were not different between S and C treatments (P = 0.202). There was also a strong tendency towards a 2.2-fold increase (P = 0.06) in GHR1A gene expression in cows on the flaxseed diet compared with the other diets, also there were no significant difference between S and C treatments. The IGF-I and IGFBP mRNA were not different between the treatments (P > 0.05). In conclusion, n-3 fatty acids promoted insulin resistance via increasing insulin receptor signalling that could improve milk production and specifically fertility in lactating dairy cows.

Parity and institutional delivery in rural Tanzania: a multilevel analysis and policy implications

We assess the extent to which the use of healthcare facilities for childbirth varies by parity, conditional on socio-economic, psychological and health characteristics. We also assess differences in the determinants of institutionalized delivery for first-time mothers and multiparous, and explore village-level variations in observed relationships. Survey data from a three-stage cross-sectional cluster sample of 1205 women from a rural district of Tanzania were analysed using random-intercept multilevel models. Use of health facilities for delivery was low (39%), with odds of institutionalized delivery three times higher among nulliparous women (0 children prior to current delivery) compared with women with one to four children; and 30% lower among women with five or more children compared with those with one to four children. In parity group analyses, women with at least some education and women with more than three antenatal care visits had higher odds of institutionalized delivery among nulliparous. Belief in the importance of institutionalized delivery increased the odds of delivering in a facility among multiparous women; so did health insurance for women with five or more children. We found a significant variation in institutionalized delivery among multiparous women based on their village of residence (one to four and five or more children), but these variations were not observed among nulliparous women. Parity is a pivotal determinant of the use of health facilities for delivery, and its significance varies by village of residence; hence, interventions targeting women according to parity may increase the use of facilities for delivery in rural Tanzania. Future research should focus on the village-level characteristics that influence institutionalized delivery in multiparous.

Early-life determinants of cognitive ability in childhood and old age

BackgroundFactors early in life, even prenatally, could affect subsequent health and development of disease. Studies have consistently shown a small but significant correlation between birthweight in the normal range and childhood cognitive ability. However, only two studies have investigated whether this correlation persists into older age, showing no significant effect. The aim of this investigation was to assess whether factors early in life (birthweight, gestational age, parity, antenatal complications, neonatal complications, and social group), affect cognition in childhood and whether these effects persist. MethodsThe Aberdeen 1936 Birth Cohort (ABC1936) is a longitudinal study of cognitive ageing in a well-characterised cohort of individuals born in 1936 (n=506 of 658 alive and resident in Aberdeen, were recruited in 2000). The study is ongoing with wave 4 of testing completed in 2011 (n=216). Only wave 1 (baseline) data are presented here. In wave 1, participants underwent a battery of cognitive and physical tests at age 64–66 years. Results for Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM), a test of non-verbal reasoning, are reported here. The test was administered by a trained research nurse and individuals had 20 min to complete as many of the multiple choice problems as possible. All 658 individuals invited to participate in ABC1936 had IQ measured with the Moray House Test when aged 11 years as part of the nationwide Scottish Mental Survey 1947. Some were born in hospital, and therefore had prospectively obtained data available for perinatal effects. Birth data were obtained for all hospital births in Aberdeen in 1936 (n=1250). Results are reported for individuals who had birth data, IQ at age 11 years, and IQ at age 64–66 years available. Associations between cognitive ability scores (at both ages) and potential predictors (sex, social group at birth, birthweight, gestational age, parity, antenatal or neonatal complications) were tested. Factors significantly associated with cognitive ability (p<0·1) were included in multivariate regression models for the prediction of childhood IQ and RPM scores. FindingsOf participants with childhood IQ available, 140 (21%) had birth data available. Of those, 108 (77%) had IQ scores at age 64–66 years. Mean IQ scores did not differ between those with birth data and those without at either age 11 years (with birth data, mean 38·3 [SD 13·8]; without birth data, mean 40·3 [14·0]; p=0·06) or age 64–66 years (with birth data, mean 34·7 [8·2]; without birth data, mean 35·8 [8·8]; p=0·21). Birthweight was not significantly correlated with childhood cognitive ability (r=0·07; p=0·39). Multivariate regression analysis showed that low perinatal social group (unskilled manual work compared with others; β=–0·23; p=0·007) and increased parity (β=–0·21; p=0·015) were associated with decreased test scores in childhood (adjusted R2=0·09). Neither birthweight (r=–0·003; p=0·77) nor perinatal social group (p=0·56) were significantly associated with RPM scores. In older age, increased childhood cognitive test scores (β=0·47; p<0·0001) and male sex (β=0·31; p<0·0001) were associated with improved performance (adjusted R2=0·35). InterpretationIn this fairly small cohort, birthweight and childhood or older age IQ were not associated. Childhood IQ was predicted by social group and parity, and was the main predictor of older age IQ. Longitudinal data from more than six decades, including prospectively recorded birth data, are rare. The reasons for differences between this cohort and others in Scotland and worldwide should be explored, and could include cohort effects, residual confounding factors, and selection bias. Early-life programming of cognitive function is not a significant determinant in this cohort. FundingThe Alzheimer's Research Trust funded data collection during wave 1 of ABC1936; RLS is funded by an NRS Career Researcher Fellowship.

Calf birth weight, gestation length, calving ease, and neonatal calf mortality in Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred cows in a pasture system

Holstein (HH), Jersey (JJ), and crosses of these breeds were mated to HH or JJ bulls to form purebreds, reciprocal crosses, backcrosses, and other crosses in a rotational mating system. The herd was located at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Data for calf birth weight (CBW), calving ease (0 for unassisted, n=1,135, and 1 for assisted, n=96), and neonatal calf mortality (0 for alive, n=1,150, and 1 for abortions recorded after mid-gestation, stillborn, and dead within 48h, n=81) of calves (n=1,231) were recorded over 9 calving seasons from 2003 through 2011. Gestation length (GL) was calculated as the number of days from last insemination to calving. Linear mixed models for CBW and GL included fixed effects of sex, parity (first vs. later parities), twin status, and 6 genetic groups: HH, JJ, reciprocal F1 crosses (HJ, JH), crosses >50% Holsteins (HX) and crosses >50% Jerseys (JX), where sire breed is listed first. The CBW model also included GL as a covariate. Logistic regression for calving ease and neonatal calf mortality included fixed effects of sex, parity, and genetic group. Genetic groups were replaced by linear regression using percentage of HH genes as coefficients on the above models and included as covariates to determine various genetic effects. Year and dam were included as random effects in all models. Female calves (27.57±0.54kg), twins (26.39±1.0kg), and calves born to first-parity cows (27.67±0.56kg) had lower CBW than respective male calves (29.53±0.53kg), single births (30.71±0.19kg), or calves born to multiparous cows (29.43±0.52kg). Differences in genetic groups were observed for CBW and GL. Increased HH percentage in the calf increased CBW (+9.3±0.57kg for HH vs. JJ calves), and increased HH percentage in the dams increased CBW (+1.71±0.53kg for calves from HH dams vs. JJ dams); JH calves weighed 1.33kg more than reciprocal HJ calves. Shorter GL was observed for twin births (272.6±1.1 d), female calves (273.9±0.6 d), and for first-parity dams (273.8±0.6 d). Direct genetic effects of HH alleles shortened GL (−3.5±0.7 d), whereas maternal HH alleles increased GL (2.7±0.6 d). Female calves had lower odds ratio (0.32, confidence interval=0.10–0.99) for neonatal calf mortality in second and later parities than did male calves. Maternal heterosis in crossbred primiparous dams was associated with reduced calf mortality.

Methyl donor supplementation of gestating sow diets improves pregnancy outcomes and litter size

Maternal intake of B-vitamin and methyl donors can affect sow prolificacy. A total of 1079 Large White/Landrace sows (parities 2–9 at mating) were used in a 2 by 2 by 2 factorial design to determine the effects of two levels of betaine supplementation (0 versus 3 g added betaine/kg feed), two levels of folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation (0 versus 20 mg/kg folic acid plus 150 µg/kg vitamin B12) during gestation, and two parity groups (parity 2 and 3 versus parity 4 and greater) on litter size and pregnancy outcomes. The number of sows returning to oestrus post-insemination, as well as the number of early (&lt;Day 30) and late (&gt;Day 30) pregnancy losses were recorded. At farrowing, the total number of piglets born, the number of piglets born alive and dead, as well as the number of mummified fetuses were recorded. Pre-prandial blood samples were collected from a subset of 20 sows/treatment on Days 3, 30 and 107 of gestation to analyse homocysteine. The incidence of early pregnancy loss was reduced (P &lt; 0.001) by folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation (0.03 versus 0.07). There was a significant interaction between parity at mating (parities 2 and 3 versus parity 4 and greater) and the addition of betaine or folic acid plus vitamin B12 to the gestation diet on litter size. Litter size was higher (0.5 piglets; P &lt; 0.05) for betaine supplemented, compared with unsupplemented, parity 4 plus sows. Folic acid plus vitamin B12-supplemented parity 2 and 3 sows gave birth to more (P &lt; 0.05) piglets than all other treatment groups. Folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation decreased (P &lt; 0.001) plasma homocysteine concentration by 2.2 and 2.8 μM, respectively, on Days 3 and 107 of gestation. However, betaine supplementation decreased (P &lt; 0.05) homocysteine on Day 3 only. Overall, folic acid plus vitamin B12 supplementation decreased incidences of early pregnancy failure and increased litter size in early parity sows, while betaine increased litter size in older parity sows.

산차가 비유모돈의 생산성에 미치는 영향

Fast recovery of feed intake and milk production are very important in the management of lactating sows because they are directly related to sow and litter performance. It is also known that parity is one of factors affecting feed intake and milk yield during lactation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of different parities on productive performance of lactating sows fed diets containing different levels of DDGS. A total of 245 sows were divided into 3 parity groups of 1 to 2, 3 to 5, and over 5 parities. Within each parity group, sows were allottedto 1 of 4 dietary treatments that were prepared by inclusion of 0, 10, 20, and 30% DDGS in lactation diets. Diets were fed to sows during lactation.Sows with parities 1-2 had lower (p ＜ 0.05) initial sow body weight, sow feed intake, sow weight change, and sow backfat change during lactation than sows with parities 3-5 as well as parities over 5. However, sows with parities over 5 had lower (p ＜ 0.05) litter size at weaning, litter birth weight, litter weaning weight, and piglet average daily gain and higher pre-weaning mortality than sows with parities 1-2 as well as parities 3-5. In conclusion, parity influences productive performance of lactating sows.

Lactation feed intake in purebred and F1 sows and its relationship with reproductive performance

Daily feed intake during lactation was recorded on purebred Yorkshire (n=1587), Landrace (n=2197), and F1 Yorkshire x Landrace (n=6932) litters from day 1 to 22 of lactation. Lactation feed intake (LFI) curves were predicted using a mixed model which included fixed effects of breed, season, parity group (PG), day of lactation, interactions of day with breed and PG, and a covariate for litter size after cross-fostering. Random effects included litter, contemporary group (herd–year–month), dam, and sire nested within breed. Least squares means for each day were used to express LFI curves by breed through day 22 of lactation. Yorkshire and Landrace LFI curves were not different (P=0.09), though both differed from the LFI curve (P<0.05) of F1 sows. Due to a limited number of observations in late lactation, LFI data from days 19 to 22 were not included. Evaluation of the difference in feed intake between 2 consecutive days (DC) of lactation resulted in the following classifications: 3 periods for purebreds, day 1 to 6 (PB1), day 7 to 10 (PB2), and day 11 to 18 (PB3); 2 periods for F1 sows, day 1–5 (C1) and day 6–18 (C2). Average rate of change in intake (ARC), average daily intake (ADI), and variation from predicted LFI values (VAR) metrics were estimated for each period in purebred and F1 sows. Parity group 1 in both purebred and F1 sows had the lowest ARC and ADI metrics, but highest VAR (P<0.05) in each period of lactation. Similar differences were observed for seasonal effects (P<0.05) as LFI curves during summer months represented lower ARC and ADI and higher VAR values compared to all other seasons. For all breeds, increased ARC and ADI metrics resulted in higher 21-day litter weaning weights (P<0.05), while decreasing VAR metrics late in lactation (PB3 and C2) resulted in higher 21-day litter weaning weights and shorter wean-to-first service intervals (P<0.05). Average rate of change increased more quickly in early periods (PB1, PB2, C1) and was lower in late lactation (PB3, C2). An increase in average rate of change in intake, average daily intake, and decreased variation from predicted LFI values during a period of lactation resulted in improved measures of maternal performance.

Parity and aortic dimensions in healthy women

Cardiac output and blood volume increase dramatically during the course of normal pregnancy, peaking around the time of parturition1. In addition to hemodynamic stress, high levels of circulating gestational hormones and angiogenic factors may contribute to increased risk for aortic dissection in late pregnancy, especially in women with Marfan or Turner syndromes2. It is unknown whether repeated pregnancies may result in enduring enlargement of aortic diameter in healthy women. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study we investigated the relation between ascending and descending aortic diameters and parity history in 51 healthy female volunteers. Parity was defined as the number of live births. All subjects provided written informed consent for voluntary participation in an IRB-approved protocol. Women with hypertension, congenital or acquired cardiac disease, diabetes, renal or liver disease and history of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia or multiple gestations were excluded from study. Ascending and descending aortic diameters (AAD, DAD) were measured at the level of the pulmonary artery bifurcation by magnetic resonance (Fig. 1). Age, BSA, and blood pressure were similar in low and high parity groups (Table 1). However, AAD was 13% greater (P = .001) and DAD was 10% greater (P = .001) in the multiparous group. Multivariable analysis showed that age (P < .001), BSA (P = .004) and parity (P = .002) each contributed significantly to variation in AAD, while age (P < .001) and BSA (P < .001, but less so parity (P = .072) correlated with descending aortic diameter. Figure 1 Intraluminal, end-systole aortic diameters were measured on T-1 weighted black blood images at the level of the pulmonary artery bifurcation as previously described 8. Cross-sectional measurements were made perpendicular (AP) and parallel (RL) to the ... Table 1 Aortic Diameters Stratified by Parity Group The fact that both ascending and descending aortic diameters are larger in healthy multiparous women compared to null or uniparous women suggests the experience of normal pregnancies and births causes enduring changes in the wall structure of the thoracic aorta. High levels of circulating angiogenic factors involved in vascular development of the placenta and embryo3 may also induce remodeling of the maternal vasculature to accommodate the increased blood volume of pregnancy. High estrogen and progesterone levels in pregnant women are associated with histological changes in the aortic wall, including fragmentation of reticulin fibers, diminished acid mucopolysaccharides, disruption of elastic fibers, and hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells5. It thus seems plausible that a summation of hormonal and hemodynamic stresses after repeated pregnancies might result in enduring aortic enlargement 6. Our sample by design excluded confounders affecting aortic size such as HTN and diabetes7. Thus, we were able to discern statistically significant and biologically plausible effects of multiparity on aortic dimensions. However, these observations most likely underestimate the effects of pregnancy on aortic dimensions in the general population with its high prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Our findings are important for expanding knowledge about ways in which gender-specific physiological factors such as normal pregnancy may influence cardiovascular biology, and are relevant to assessing pregnancy risks in women that have preexisting conditions associated with aortic complications such as Marfan and Turner syndromes, and bicuspid aortic valve.

The effects of experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis and flunixin meglumine administration on activity measures, feed intake, and milk parameters

The use of flunixin meglumine (FM), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, during experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis was evaluated. Twenty-four primiparous and multiparous lactating dairy cows were challenged with 1×102cfu of E. coli 727 in 1 uninfected quarter. Of the 24 E. coli-challenged animals, 12 were administered FM [ECF; 100mg (2cc)/45.5kg of body weight) at the onset of clinical mastitis signs. The remaining 12 challenged cows were untreated (EC). An additional 11 cows were infused with 1mL of sterile phosphate-buffered saline and served as the nonchallenged control (CTL) group. Activity measures, dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, milk bacterial counts from challenged mammary glands, and somatic cell score (SCS) were collected on all animals. Activity measurements were collected using both a behavior-monitoring system and data loggers. Activity was summarized by day (behavior-monitoring system) and in 3-h time periods (data loggers). An examination of animal activity indicated that EC and ECF cows stood more and lay less as compared with the CTL animals in the first 6h after FM administration. When DMI was analyzed, CTL and ECF animals had greater DMI than the EC animals on d 1 postchallenge. However, by d 2 postchallenge, DMI for ECF and EC cows was significantly less than for the CTL cows. The ECF cows had greater milk yield than did EC animals by d 3 and 4 postchallenge, and no significant difference in yield was observed between the ECF and CTL animals. No differences in SCS were observed between the parity groups. Yet, bacterial counts in milk were greater in multiparous animals compared with the primiparous cows. Therefore, it can be concluded that E. coli mastitis does alter animal activity and may have a negative effect on animal well-being. However, the improvement in DMI and milk production for ECF animals provides evidence for using a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug as supportive therapy in alleviating the adverse effects associated with E. coli mastitis.

Effects of Different PUFAs Supplementation During the Postpartum Periods of Early Lactating Dairy Cows, I: Uterine Prostaglandin Synthesis.

The objectives were to determine if a diet enriched in a-linolenic acid (omega-3), or linolenic acid (omega-6) would influence ovarian function in lactating dairy cows. Twenty four high-yielding multiparous Holstein dairy cows with no over clinical illnesses were blocked according to calving date and parity. Cows were assigned randomly to be fed either 1-soybean whole roast (S, n=8), or 2-linseed (L, n=8), or 3-palm oil as a source of saturated fatty acid (C, n=8) from calving until first day 60 postpartum (dpp). There was no difference between groups (mean±S.E.M.) in parity (3.0±1.90) or BCS at calving (3.2±0.07). At 30 dpp, cows (n= 30) received 2 injections of PGF2a 14 d apart for estrous synchronization. On d 15 of the synchronized estrous cycle (59.3±2.6 DIM), cows were injected intravenously at 1300 h with 100 IU of oxytocin. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals from 1 h before until 3 h after the oxytocin injection and at 30-min intervals from 3 to 4 h post injection to monitor uterine secretion of PGF2a. Data that were repeated in time were analyzed by using a mixed model (PROC MIXED, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Result showed dietary fatty acid supplementation affected plasma PGFM concentrations in response to oxytocin injection and treatment × time interaction was significant. On the day of oxytocin challenge, the PGFM baseline for S, L and P was 16.2, 11.6 and 15.0 ng/mL (pooled SE = 1.7, P = 0.60) and the PGFM response to oxytocin 60 min after injection was 83.4, 65.1 and 109.7 ng/mL (pooled SE = 1155; P < 0.05) for P, L and S, respectively. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Secretion of PGFM was markedly inhibited by fed linseed, but when cows treated with an increasing n-6:n-3 ratio (linoleic : EPA ratio) this inhibition was reversed.

Evaluation of haemoglobin levels in pregnant women in Zimbabwe

A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the haemoglobin (Hb) levels during pregnancy in Bindura District of Zimbabwe. The main objective was to establish the effect of varying age and parity on Hb levels in pregnant women. Blood samples were taken from 60 pregnant women visiting Shashi Private Hospital for antenatal care for 2 weeks. The ages, parity and physical addresses of the participants were recorded. The highest mean Hb level recorded was 11.350 g/dL in the 35–39 years category and 11.337g/dL for the para 0 gravida 4. There were no significant differences in the mean Hb levels across the different age groups and the parity groups. However, the mean Hb levels were generally low. Hb levels need to be checked and rectified at the early stages of pregnancy to attain the required Hb level throughout pregnancy through improved diet and iron supplementation.

Incidence of Retained Placenta in Relation with Breed, Age, Parity and Body Condition Score of Dairy cows

Retained placenta is an economically important reproductive disorder which occurs at the end of the reproductive cycle and has repercussions on the next. The study was conducted a total 1205 dairy cows from 9 upazila and 4 Metro Thana of Rajshahi during the period from July 2010 to June 2011. To evaluate the incidence of retained placenta in relation to breed, age, parity and body condition score of dairy cows. A questionnaire was prepared including information viz. name and address of farmer, breed, age; parity and body condition score for achievement of the study. The overall prevalence of retained placenta was 13.4%. The influencing factors including breed, age, parity, body condition score had significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on retained placenta. The highest prevalence was 10.7%, 4.5%, 5.6% and 7.1% observed in cross-breed, &gt; 3 years age, 1st parity and fair body condition group of cows, respectively. From this study, it might be concluded that local breed, ? 3 years but less than 5 years age group, 3rd parity had least risk for retained placenta. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i1.10878 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(1): 15-20

Supplementing sow gestation diets with betaine during summer increases litter size of sows with greater numbers of parities

Conducted during the Australian summer, this experiment evaluated the reproductive performance of sows receiving a diet supplemented with betaine, a potent organic osmolyte and methyl donor. Large White/Landrace/Duroc sows (n=450) ranging in parity from 1 to 7 (parity 2.9±0.10, mean±SEM), and mated between the 11th of January and 11th February were used. The treatments compared the effects of two gestation diets (standard (Stand) compared to betaine (Bet) supplemented) and two parity groups (parities one and two (P1/2) versus parity three and greater (P3+) on pregnancy outcomes and litter size. The betaine diet was fed from d 3±1 post-mating until farrowing, with betaine content of the diet altered during gestation to ensure a daily intake of 7.6–9.0g/sow. Liveweight (LW) and LW gain were unaffected by gestation diet; however, on d 1 of lactation P2 backfat (P2) tended (P=0.07) to be greater for standard compared to betaine fed sows (22.5±0.42 compared to 21.5±0.42mm). P2, LW and LW gain were greater (P<0.05) for P3+ compared to P1/2 sows. Sow farrowing rate (0.79) was unaffected by gestation diet. Total litter size was greater (P<0.05) for Bet3+ (13.6±0.35) sows compared to Stand3+ (12.1±0.34), BetP1/2 (12.1±0.36) and StandP1/2 (12.3±0.38) sows. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that gestational betaine supplementation during summer increased litter size of sows with greater numbers of parities.

The effect of the ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine to metabolizable energy on growth performance, blood metabolites and hormones of lactating sows

A total of 335 lactating sows (Landrace × Large White) were used in two experiments to determine the optimum ratio of standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID-Lys) to metabolizable energy (ME) for mixed parity sows during lactation. In Exp. 1, 185 sows (weighing an average of 256.2 ± 6.5 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.3) were allocated to one of six experimental diets in a completely randomized block design within parity groups (1, 2, and 3+). The experimental diets were formulated to contain 3.06, 3.16, 3.20, 3.25, 3.30 or 3.40 Mcal/kg of ME and each diet was fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. All diets provided a similar SID-lysine level (0.86%). As a result, the diets provided a SID-Lys:ME ratio of 2.81, 2.72, 2.69, 2.65, 2.61 or 2.53 g/Mcal ME. Sow feed intake was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by the energy content of the diet as well as by sow parity. Using regression analysis, feed intake was shown to be maximized at 3.25, 3.21, 3.21 and 3.21 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 1, 2, 3+ sows and the entire cohort of sows respectively (quadratic; P < 0.01). In addition, the result of feed intake can be expressed as 2.65, 2.69, 2.69 and 2.68 g/Mcal based on analysis of SID-Lys:ME ratio. Litter weight gain was affected by dietary treatment for parity 3+ sows and the entire cohort (P < 0.01). Based on regression analysis, litter weight gain was maximized at 3.25 and 3.24 Mcal/kg of ME for parity 3+ (quadratic; P < 0.01) and the entire cohort (quadratic; P < 0.01). Similarly, the result of litter weight gain could be expressed as 2.65 and 2.66 g/Mcal of SID-Lys:ME ratio. Therefore, 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME was selected for Exp. 2 in which 150 sows (weighing 254.6 ± 7.3 kg and having an average parity of 3.4 ± 0.4) were allocated to one of five treatments in a completely randomized block design within parity (1, 2, and 3+). The experimental diets were formulated to contain 2.1, 2.4, 2.7, 3.0 or 3.3 g/Mcal of SID-Lys:ME ratio with all diets providing 3.25 Mcal/kg of ME. The diets were fed to the sows throughout a 28 day lactation. Sow body weight loss was affected by dietary treatment (parity 3+ sows, P = 0.02; entire cohort, P < 0.01) and by sow parity (P < 0.01). Litter weight at weaning and litter weight gain were affected by dietary treatment for parity 1, 2, 3+ sows and the entire cohort (P < 0.01) as well as by sow parity (P < 0.01). Plasma urea nitrogen (P < 0.01), creatinine (P < 0.01) and non-esterifide fatty acids (P = 0.04) were decreased as the SID-Lys:ME ratio of the diet increased. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (P = 0.02), estradiol (P < 0.01) and luteinizing hormone (P = 0.02) were increased as the SID-Lys:ME ratio in diet increased. Based on a broken-line model, the estimated SID-Lys:ME ratio to maximize litter weight gain was estimated to be 3.05 g/Mcal.

Risk factors and effects of postpartum anovulation in dairy cows

The objectives were to identify risk factors for and to quantify the effect of postpartum anovulation on reproductive performance in dairy cows. Data from 2,178 Holstein cows in 6 commercial herds enrolled in a randomized clinical trial were used. Data on periparturient disease incidence, calving history, and body condition score were collected. Cows were examined at wk 5 postpartum for reproductive tract disease; cytological endometritis was defined as ≥6% polymorphonuclear cells in endometrial cytology, and purulent vaginal discharge was defined as the presence of mucopurulent or purulent vaginal discharge. Cows were followed until 300 d in milk (DIM) for reproductive performance. Serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration was measured once during the week before expected calving. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA, and haptoglobin were measured at wk 1, 2, and 3 postpartum. Serum progesterone (P4) was measured at wk 3, 5, 7, and 9 postpartum. The end of the postpartum anovulation period was defined as the first sampling time at which P4 was >1ng/mL. Statistical analyses were performed using logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard models. The prevalence of anovulation was 72, 44, 26, and 17% at wk 3, 5, 7, and 9, respectively. Cows were classified according to their ovulatory status as having luteal function at 21 DIM (Cyc21), as having low P4 at 21 DIM but having luteal function at least once at 35 or 49 or 63 DIM (Cyc63), or being anovulatory at 63 DIM (Anov63; no samples with P4 >1ng/mL). Factors associated with early ovulation (Cyc21) included season, parity, decreased haptoglobinemia, and decreased serum NEFA concentration before and after parturition. Risk factors for prolonged anovulation (Anov63) included cytological endometritis, increased haptoglobinemia, and greater serum NEFA concentrations before and after parturition. Cows classified as Anov63 had an increased median time to first breeding compared with Cyc63 (74.1 vs. 73.2 d). The effect of prolonged postpartum anovulation on median time to pregnancy was conditional on parity group; a detrimental effect was present in cows of parity ≥3 (129 d for Cyc21, 151 d for Cyc63, and 180 d for Anov63), but no effect was observed in cows of parity ≤2. Overall, these findings suggest that postpartum anovulation was associated with indicators of energy balance and uterine inflammation, and with detrimental effects on reproductive performance.

A herd management survey on culling guidelines and actual culling practices in three herd groups based on reproductive productivity in Japanese commercial swine herds1

The objective of the present study was to investigate culling guidelines for gilts and sows in Japanese commercial herds and to compare differences between culling guidelines and actual culling practices in different herd productivity groups. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to obtain information on culling guidelines in 115 commercial swine herds that participated in the PigCHAMP data-share program. The questionnaire included questions on guideline values for culling intervals and the number of conception failure occurrences that would trigger a culling decision to be made. Ninety-two of the 115 herds (80.0%) returned appropriate data for the study and were included in the present study. In addition to questionnaire data, culling data regarding the actual culling intervals and number of reservices for gilts and sows culled during 2007 to 2008 were also obtained for the same herds from a PigCHAMP database. Culled gilts and sows were divided into 4 female groups on the basis of the stages of their reproductive life when they were culled: unmated gilts, mated gilts, unmated sows, and mated sows. Culling intervals in unmated gilts and sows were defined as the number of days from birth or weaning to culling, respectively, whereas in mated gilts and sows culling intervals were the number of days from last service to culling. Three herd productivity groups were formed on the basis of the upper and lower 25th percentiles of pigs weaned mated female(-1)·yr(-1):high-,intermediate- or low-performing herds. For unmated gilts and sows actual culling intervals were 15 d shorter than the guideline culling intervals in the surveyed data submitted by producers (P < 0.05). This shorter actual culling period for unmated gilts and sows did not vary significantly between herd productivity groups in any parity. However, for mated gilts and sows the actual culling intervals were at least 30 d longer than the guideline culling intervals (P < 0.05). Guideline and actual culling intervals for mated gilts and sows were at least 10 d shorter in high-performing herds than in low-performing herds (P < 0.05). High-performing herds had lower proportions of sows culled after the second reservice than intermediate- or low-performing herds in parity groups 0 to 5 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, culling guidelines for mated sows differed between herd productivity groups, and culling guidelines for mated gilts and sows were not strictly followed in any herd group in the commercial herds.

P2-12-21: Impact of Recent Parity on Histopathological Tumor Features and Outcome of Young Women with Breast Cancer.

Abstract Background Younger age has been associated with worse outcome in breast cancer patients (pts) and recent parity has been epidemiologically identified as worse prognostic factor among women with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to explore potential factors associated with worse prognosis in young breast cancer pts, and to demonstrate the impact of parity on the histopathological tumor feature and patient outcome. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 634 early breast cancer pts younger than 45 years old who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2009. For statistical analysis, Pearson's and Fisher's exact test were used. Survival analysis was performed only for pts diagnosed before 2006 in order to obtain a minimum follow up 5 years. Results: 108 women were diagnosed within 5 years since last parity (Group A), 216 were diagnosed &amp;gt; 5 years since last parity (Group B) and 310 were nulliparous (Group C). Median age at diagnosis was 37 (range 26–44), 41 (range 32–44), and 38.5 (range 22–44) and family history (FH) of breast and/or ***ovarian cancer within second degree was found in 23, 22, and 23% of the pts in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. In Groups A, B and C, clinical stage was III in 22, 10 and 12% (p= .025), ER was positive in 65, 69 and 70% (p= .650), PgR was positive in 64, 75 and 74% (p= .057), and HER2 was positive in 25, 14 and 14% (p=.017), respectively. Tumors in Group A had higher histological grade (grade 3: 60/44/47%, p=.019), higher nuclear grade (grade 3: 61/47/48%, p=.036) and more lymph vessel invasion (61/52/45%, p=.015) compared to those in Groups B and C, respectively. Median follow up time was 85.1 months (range 1.8−137.1 months) during which there were 61 deaths. In univariate analysis, age and FH were not correlated with overall survival (OS). OS in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B (hazard ratio (HR) 3.51, 95% confidential interval (CI) 1.80−6.84, p&amp;lt;.001) and in Group C (HR 2.42, 95%CI 1.36−4.29, p=.002), while OS did not differ significantly between Groups B and C. In the pts without FH, the HR of cancer death was more pronounced in Group A than in Group B (HR 4.25, 95%CI 1.97−9.14, p&amp;lt;.001) or Group C (HR 2.67, 95%CI 1.43−5.01, p=.002), while there was no significant difference among the groups in pts with FH. In multivariate analysis among the pts without FH, lymph vessel invasion (HR 4.51, 95%CI 1.89−10.76, p=.001), Group A women (HR 2.28, 95%CI 1.25−4.17, p=.007), histological grade 3 (HR 2.72, 95%CI 1.28−5.77, p=.009), PgR negativity (HR 2.23, 95%CI 1.19−4.18, p=.013) and clinical stage II and III (HR 2.92, 95%CI 1.04−8.21, p=.04) were significantly associated with poor prognosis, adjusting for age. Conclusion: Recent parity was associated with worse histopathological features in breast cancer of women younger than 45. It was also associated with worse outcome, especially among pts without FH. Recent parity seems to be a confounding factor for the worse outcome in young breast cancer patients, which justifies further studies to elucidate underlying biology. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-21.