Yorkshire Landrace Research Articles

Akkermansia muciniphila Promotes SIgA Production and Alters the Reactivity Towards Commensal Bacteria in Early-Weaned Piglets

BackgroundSecretory IgA (SIgA) is the first line of defense in protecting the intestinal epithelium against pathogenic bacteria, regulating gut microbiota composition, and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Early weaning strategies may disrupt SIgA levels in piglet intestines, causing a decline in immune response and early weaning stress. However, the specific microbial mechanisms modulating SIgA in early-weaned piglets are not well understood. ObjectiveWe hypothesized that Akkermansia muciniphila increases intestinal SIgA production in the early-weaned piglets. MethodsFecal SIgA levels, SIgA-coated bacteria abundance, and fecal metagenomes were compared between 6 Huanjiang miniature (HM) and 6 Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire (DLY) early-weaned piglets to identify bacterial species involved in SIgA modulation. 4 bacterial species were investigated using 5 groups (Control, A. muciniphila, L. amylovorus, L. crispatus, L. acidophilus) of male SPF C57BL/6J mice, weaned 3 weeks post-birth (n=8/group). Subsequently, 10-day-old Landrace×Yorkshire (LY) piglets were randomly assigned to three groups (Control, 109A. muciniphila, 108A. muciniphila) (n=10/group) to evaluate the effect of orally administered A. muciniphila on intestinal SIgA production and microbial composition. ResultsHM early-weaned piglets showed significantly higher SIgA levels (7.59 μg/mg, 95% CI: 3.2, 12, P = 0.002) and SIgA-coated bacteria abundance (8.64%, 95% CI: 3.2, 14, P = 0.014) than DLY piglets. In the mouse model, administration of A. muciniphila significantly increased SIgA levels (3.50 μg/mg, 95% CI: 0.59, 6.4, P = 0.018), SIgA-coated bacteria abundance (9.06%, 95% CI: 4, 14, P =0.018), and IgA+ plasma cell counts (6.1%, 95% CI: 4.3, 8, P = 0.005). In the pig experiments, oral administration of A. muciniphila to LY piglets significantly enhanced intestinal SIgA concentrations (4.22μg/mg, 95% CI: 0.37, 8.5, P = 0.034) and altered the SIgA-coated bacterial landscape. ConclusionEarly intervention with A. muciniphila in nursing piglets can increases intestinal SIgA productionand alter the reactivity towards commensal bacteria upon early weaning.

Nutritional values of soybean meal from different sources in multiparous sows

This study determined the available energy content, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) from different sources in non-gestating, non-lactating sows. In Exp. 1, 24 multiparous Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) sows (parity 3–5) were allotted to a replicated 12 × 3 Youden square design consisting of 12 diets and 3 periods. The 12 diets included 11 test diets containing SBM from different sources and a corn-based diet. Each period included a 5-d adaptation and a 5-d total fecal and urine collection. In Exp. 2, 8 multiparous LY sows (parity 3–5) were allotted to a replicated 4 × 3 Youden square design with 4 diets and 3 periods. The 4 diets included a nitrogen-free diet and 3 SBM diets (3 representative SBM samples were selected from Exp. 1). Our results showed that the coefficient of variation of ether extract, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber levels in 11 SBM samples were > 20%. There were no differences in digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and the ATTD of gross energy, nitrogen, and neutral detergent fiber values between different SBM samples (P > 0.05). Additionally, no differences in AA digestibility were identified among the 3 representative SBM samples (P > 0.05). In conclusion, there were no differences in DE, ME, and AA digestibility between different SBM samples fed to multiparous non-gestating sows. When formulating diets for sows, it is important to consider the differences in the nutritional value of SBM at different physiological stages.

Transcriptome and targeted metabolome analysis of lipid profiles, nutrients compositions and volatile compounds in longissimus dorsi of different pig breeds.

Improving meat quality is important for commercial production and breeding. The molecular mechanism of intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition and meat characteristics remain further study. This study aimed to study the mechanism of IMF deposition and meat characteristics including redox potential, nutrients compositions and volatile compounds in longissimus dorsi (LD) by comparing with different pig breeds including Shanghai white (SW), Duroc x (Landrace Yorkshire) (DLY) and Laiwu (LW) pigs. Results showed that the contents of IMF, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and redox potential parameters were lower, while the content of MDA and activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were higher in LD of SW pigs compared with LW pigs (p<0.05). No differences were observed about these parameters between SW and DLY pigs. Also, the contents of medium-long chain fatty acids and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were higher, while Asp was lower in LD of SW pigs compared with LW pigs (p<0.05). Volatile compounds results showed that 6 ketones, 4 alkenes, 11 alkanes, 2 aldehydes, 1 alcohol were increased and cholesterol was decreased in SW pigs compared with LW pigs. Transcriptome results showed that differential expressed genes involved in lipid synthesis, metabolism and transport in LD between SW and LW pigs, which were further verified by qPCR. Spearman correlation showed that HSL and Nedd4 were positively related to contents of TG and IMF, while negatively related to volatile compounds and fatty acids (p<0.05). Plin3 and Mgll were negatively related to contents of TG, IMF and cholesterol, while positively related to MDA, LDH, and volatile compounds (p<0.05). PPARA was negatively related to contents of TC and IMF, and activity of SOD, while positively related to volatile compounds (p<0.05). Our study provided new insights into potential mechanisms of IMF deposition, nutrients composition and volatile compounds of muscular tissues of different pig breeds.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis supplementation on reproductive parameters during late gestation in multiparous sows.

Probiotics are used at different stages of gestation to promote reproductive performance in sows. This study investigated the effect of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 supplementation during late gestation in multiparous sows on different reproductive parameters. On day 85 of gestation, 115 multiparous healthy Landrace Yorkshire sows were randomly assigned to two groups with equal parity numbers. The control group (58 sows) was fed with basal diets, and the probiotic group (57 sows) was fed with basal diets +1010 colony-forming unit (CFU) B. subtilis QST 713 from day 85 to parturition. Back fat thickness on days 85 and 110, number of total born, number of born alive, stillbirth and mummy rates, individual birth weight, litter birth weight, within-litter variation of piglet birth weight, and postpartum vaginal discharge duration were recorded and compared between the two groups. The number of total born, number born alive, back fat thickness of sows before farrowing, litter weight, within-litter variation of piglet birth weight, and postpartum vaginal discharge duration were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis QST 713 decreased the stillbirth rate (3.96 vs. 6.39%, p = 0.046) and born dead rate (5.12 vs. 8.57%, p = 0.035) and increased the birth weight of piglets (1552.78 vs. 1506.15 g, p = 0.049). Daily supplementation with 1010 CFU of B. subtilis QST 713 during late gestation in multiparous sows could increase reproductive performance by increasing birth weight and decreasing stillbirth rate.

Study on Illumination Intensity and Duration of LED Light Sources for a Weaned Piglet House without Natural Light

Lighting is an important environmental parameter in livestock farming, which can affect the physiology and behavior of animals, and it can regulate animal production. To explore the comprehensive effects of light intensity and duration on the performance, behavior, and physiological indicators of piglets, a 3 × 2 two-factor experiment (three levels of lighting intensity × two lighting durations) was conducted. The three light intensities used were high (100–120 lux), medium (40–50 lux), and low (5–20 lux). The two lighting durations were 8 h and 10 h of light per day. The experiment used a total of six lighting combinations, which corresponded with the six test units. A total of 96 Landrace–Yorkshire hybrid piglets, with an initial body weight of 13.23 ± 0.18 kg, were randomly assigned to six lit units, four pens per unit, and four piglets per pen. The results showed that lighting intensity and duration had no significant effect on the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, feed/gain, or water consumption of pigs (p &gt; 0.05). For IgM, the main effect caused by the light duration was significant. When the light intensity was 5–20 lux and 40–50 lux, the serum IgM levels of piglets in the 10 h/day light group were 45.80% and 39.54% higher than those in the 8 h/day group, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). For SOD and GSH-Px, the interaction between the lighting duration and intensity was significant (p &lt; 0.05). In the 8 h/day light group, the serum SOD levels of piglets at light intensities of 5–20 lux and 40–50 lux were significantly higher than those at 100–120 lux (p &lt; 0.05). When the light intensity was 5–20 lux and 40–50 lux, the SOD level in the 8 h/day group was significantly higher than that of the 10 h/day group (p &lt; 0.05). The main effect of lighting duration on lying down and abnormal behavior was significant (p &lt; 0.05). In the 8 h/day light group, the abnormal behavior of piglets under a light intensity of 5–20 lux was twice that of 40–50 lux (p &lt; 0.05), and the lying percentage of piglets under a light intensity of 40–50 lux was 14.03% higher than that of piglets under a light intensity of 5–20 lux (p &lt; 0.05). Overall, under the conditions used in this study, although extending the duration of light with an intensity of 40–50 lux to 10 h can improve some immune-related indicators, the extent of this effect was limited. The recommended lighting scheme for piglet houses is a light intensity of 40–50 lux and a lighting duration of 8 h. However, the range of lighting conditions set in this study was still very limited, and various environmental factors must be comprehensively considered in an actual production setting.

Characteristics of childbirth in highly productive sows

The purpose of this work was to analyze the prevalence of normal and pathological births in highly productive sows and the impact of their course on further reproductive function. The research was carried out in an industrial complex on 260 highly productive Yorkshire Landrace sows of Danish breeding. It was found that in highly productive sows in 32.69% of cases, pathological labor is recorded, including weak contractions and attempts - in 20.0% and manual labor – in 12.69%. With the clinical manifestation of weak labor activity in women in labor and with the provision of manual labor, 16.32% and 15.20% more piglets were received from them than during normal childbirth. At the same time, there is an increase in the duration of labor by 31.09% (p&lt;0.001) and by 43.15% (p&lt; 0.001), respectively. In pathological childbirth, women in labor are observed to breed more stillborn and mummified piglets than in normal childbirth. Providing obstetric care during childbirth increases the risk of developing inflammatory diseases of the uterus and breast in animals in the early postpartum period. The most common postpartum pathology with primary weakness of labor and manual labor is inflammation of the uterine mucosa, and with manual labor it is supplemented by an increase in the number of sick animals with postpartum dysgalactia. In the next reproductive cycle, the sows, in which the physiological course of the birth process and weak contractions and attempts were recorded, had identical reproduction indicators. However, in animals that had a history of primary weakness of labor activity during the last birth, an increase in the unproductive period was recorded. In sows, after manual care, there is a violation and delay in the restoration of sexual cyclicity, a decrease in fertilization.

Estimation of heritabilities and additive genetic correlations for reproduction traits in swine: insights for tropical commercial production systems using multiple trait animal models.

This study was to estimate heritabilities, additive genetic correlations, and phenotypic correlations between number of piglets born alive (NBA), litter birth weight (LTBW), number of piglets weaned (NPW) and litter weaning weight (LTWW) in different parities of Landrace (L), Yorkshire (Y), Landrace×Yorkshire (LY), and Yorkshire×Landrace (YL) sows in a commercial swine operation in Northern Thailand. Two models were utilized, a single trait repeatability model (RM) and a multiple trait animal model (MTM). The RM assumed reproductive records from different parities to be repeated values of the same trait, whereas the MTM assumed these records to be different traits. The two models accounted for the fixed effects of farrowing year-season, genetic group of the sow, heterosis, and age at first farrowing, and the random effects of sow, boar, and residual. Heritability estimates from RM were 0.02±0.01 for NBA, 0.10±0.01 for LTBW, 0.04±0.01 for NPW, and 0.11±0.01 for LTWW. Heritability estimates from MTM fluctuated across parities, ranging from 0.04±0.01 in parity 2 to 0.09±0.02 in parity 4 for NBA, 0.07±0.02 in parity 2 to 0.16±0.02 in parity 3 for LTBW, 0.04±0.02 in parity 4 to 0.08±0.01 in parity 1 for NPW, and 0.16±0.02 in parity 1 to 0.20±0.02 in parity 2 for LTWW. Additive genetic correlation estimates from MTM were also variable, ranging from 0.29±0.24 between NBA in parity 1 and NBA in parity 2 to 0.99±0.05 between LTWW in parity 3 and LTWW in parity 4. The findings of this study highlight the advantage of using MTM for the genetic improvement of reproductive traits in swine and contribute to the development of sustainable swine breeding programs in Thailand.

Obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota rewires carnitine metabolism to promote muscle fatty acid deposition in lean DLY pigs

The gut microbiota consistently shows strong correlations with lipid metabolism in humans and animals, and whether the gut microbiota contributes to muscle fatty acid (FA) deposition and meat traits in farm animals has not been fully resolved. In this study, we aimed to unveil the microbial mechanisms underlying muscle FA deposition in pigs. First, we systematically revealed the correlation between the gut microbiome and muscle FA levels in 43 obese Ningxiang pigs and 50 lean Duroc Landrace Yorkshire (DLY) pigs. Mutual fecal microbial transplantation showed that the obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota increased the muscle FA content and improved meat quality by reshaping the gut microbial composition in lean DLY pigs. Lactobacillus reuteri has been identified as a potential microbial biomarker in obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota-challenged DLY pigs. A gavage experiment using lean DLY pigs confirmed that L. reuteri XL0930 isolated from obese Ningxiang pigs was the causal species that increased the muscle FA content. Mechanistically, SLC22A5, a carnitine transporter, was downregulated in L. reuteri XL0930-fed DLY pigs, resulting in reduced muscle carnitine levels. Muscle and intestinal L-carnitine levels, which correlated with the muscle FA content, impeded fat synthesis and FA accumulation in invitro and invivo models. In conclusion, we uncovered an unexpected and important role of the obese Ningxiang pig-derived microbiota in regulating muscle FA metabolism via the SLC22A5-mediated carnitine system.

Development and application of an efficient genomic mating method to maximize the production performances of three-way crossbred pigs.

Creating synthetic lines is the standard mating mode for commercial pig production. Traditional mating performance was evaluated through a strictly designed cross-combination test at the 'breed level' to maximize the benefits of production. The Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire (DLY) three-way crossbred production system became the most widely used breeding scheme for pigs. Here, we proposed an 'individual level' genomic mating procedure that can be applied to commercial pig production with efficient algorithms for estimating marker effects and for allocating the appropriate boar-sow pairs, which can be freely accessed to public in our developed HIBLUP software at https://www.hiblup.com/tutorials#genomic-mating. A total of 875 Duroc boars, 350 Landrace-Yorkshire sows and 3573 DLY pigs were used to carry out the genomic mating to assess the production benefits theoretically. The results showed that genomic mating significantly improved the performances of progeny across different traits compared with random mating, such as the feed conversion rate, days from 30 to 120kg and eye muscle area could be improved by -0.12, -4.64d and 2.65cm2, respectively, which were consistent with the real experimental validations. Overall, our findings indicated that genomic mating is an effective strategy to improve the performances of progeny by maximizing their total genetic merit with consideration of both additive and dominant effects. Also, a herd of boars from a richer genetic source will increase the effectiveness of genomic mating further.

PSXIII-14 Effect of non-Starch Polysaccharide Enzyme Supplementation with low Energy Diet on Growth Performance, Lean Meat Percentage, Back fat Thickness, and Nutrient Digestibility of Growing Pigs

Abstract This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating a way to reduce feed costs with better meat characteristics of growing pigs by supplementing non-starch polysaccharide enzyme (NSPE) in energy reduced diets. A total of 200 growing pigs [(Landrace Yorkshire) Duroc] weighing 22.94 ± 0.22 kg were divided into five dietary treatments, each with eight replication pens (3 barrows and two gilts). The pigs were allotted in a completely randomized block design according to body weight and sex. The dietary treatments were: CON, basal diet (NE 2500 Kcal); NSPE1, basal diet + 0.04% NSPE; NSPE2, (basal diet-20 Kcal) + 0.04% NSPE; NSPE3, (basal diet-30 Kcal) + 0.04% NSPE; NSPE4, (basal diet-50 Kcal) + 0.04% NSPE. We assessed growth performance, lean meat percentage (LMP) and backfat thickness at initial, week 4 and week 8. Apparent nutrient digestibility was assessed in weeks 4 and 8. There was no significant difference (P &amp;gt;0.05) among the groups on growth performance. In week 8, gradual reduction of energy caused a linear reduction (P=0.028) of backfat thickness and a linear increase (P=0.016) of LMP. In addition, at week 8, supplementation of NSPE enzyme showed improved digestibility of nitrogen (P=0.046) and energy (P=0.037) in the NSPE1 group than the CON group. In short, gradual reduction of dietary energy supplemented with NSP enzyme showed consistent growth performance with positive changes in backfat thickness and LMP of growing pigs.

Effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on meat cuts and carcass trait in finishing pigs

Pork cutting is a very important processing in promoting economic appreciation across the swine business chain. The goal of this research is to determine the proportion and weight of meat cuts, as well as to analyze the effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on meat cuts. Simultaneously, we investigate the correlation between meat cuts, carcass traits and meat quality traits. To assess 17 meat cut traits, 12 carcass traits and 6 meat quality traits, we sample 2 012 pigs from four breeds, including Landrace (LD), Yorkshire (YK), Landrace Yorkshire (LY), and Duroc Landrace Yorkshire (DLY). The results showed that carcass weight, sex and breed composition have significant effects on the weight and proportion of most meat cuts. The proportion of cuts for muscle and bone decrease as carcass weight grows, whereas the proportion of cuts for fat increases. Moreover, the thickness of four-point backfat was significantly increasing (P<0.001) with increase of carcass weights, indicating that large amount of intaking energy in the late finishing stage was used for fat deposition. Besides, the proportion of Shoulder cut (SC) and Back fat (BF) in barrows was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that in sows, whereas the Leg cut (LC) showed the opposite trend. The Loin (LO) proportion and Loin muscle area (LMA) of barrows were significantly lower (P<0.001), but the proportion of fat areas in the image (PFAI) and visual marbling score (VMS) were significantly higher (P<0.001) than those of sows, respectively. In terms of breeds, LD had the longest straight carcass length, significantly longer (P<0.001) than the other three breeds, which partially explains why LD had the largest proportion of the Middle cut (MC). Moreover, the proportion of SC in DLY was the highest. Last but not least, the correlations between the proportions of most meat cuts, and also between meat cuts and meat quality or carcass traits were low or not significant (P>0.05). The effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on the meat cuts, meat quality and carcass traits are breed and growth stage dependent. It also reflects the asynchrony of the growth curve between different sexes. Our results laid an important foundation for breeding pig carcass cuts and composition.

Persistent diastolic dysfunction in chronically ischemic hearts following coronary artery bypass graft

ObjectiveA porcine model was used to study diastolic dysfunction in hibernating myocardium (HM) and recovery with coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). MethodsHM was induced in Yorkshire–Landrace juvenile swine (n = 30) by placing a c-constrictor on left anterior descending artery causing chronic myocardial ischemia without infarction. At 12 weeks, animals developed the HM phenotype and were either killed humanely (HIB group; n = 11) or revascularized with CABG and allowed 4 weeks of recovery (HIB+CABG group; n = 19). Control pigs were matched for weight, age, and sex to the HIB group. Before the animals were killed humanely, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done at rest and during a low-dose dobutamine infusion. Tissue was obtained for histologic and proinflammatory biomarker analyses. ResultsDiastolic peak filling rate was lower in HIB compared with control (5.4 ± 0.7 vs 6.7 ± 1.4 respectively, P = .002), with near recovery with CABG (6.3 ± 0.8, P = .06). Cardiac MRI confirmed preserved global systolic function in all groups. Histology confirmed there was no transmural infarction but showed interstitial fibrosis in the endomysium in both the HIB and HIB+CABG groups compared with normal myocardium. Alpha-smooth muscle actin stain identified increased myofibroblasts in HM that were less apparent post-CABG. Cytokine and proteomic studies in HM showed decreased peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α) expression but increased expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). Following CABG, PGC1-α and NFκB expression returned to control whereas granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon gamma remained increased. ConclusionsIn porcine model of HM, increased NFκB expression, enhanced myofibroblasts, and collagen deposition along with decreased PGC1-α expression were observed, all of which tended toward normal with CABG. Estimates of impaired relaxation with MRI within HM during increased workload persisted despite CABG, suggesting a need for adjuvant therapies during revascularization.

Phytochemical Constituents of Propolis Flavonoid, Immunological Enhancement, and Anti-porcine Parvovirus Activities Isolated From Propolis

Propolis is widely used in health preservation and disease healing; it contains many ingredients. The previous study had revealed that the ethanolic or water extracts of propolis have a wide range of efficacy, such as antiviral, immune enhancement, anti-inflammatory, and so on, but its antiviral components and underlying mechanism of action remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition, anti-porcine parvovirus (PPV) effectiveness, and immunological enhancement of propolis flavone ethanolic extracts. The chemical composition of propolis flavone was distinguished by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry analysis. In this study, the presence and characterization of 26 major components were distinguished in negative ionization modes to evaluate the effects of propolis flavonoid used as an adjuvant on the immune response of Landrace–Yorkshire hybrid sows immunized with an inactivated vaccine of PPV. Thirty Landrace-Yorkshire hybrid sows were randomly assigned to one of three groups, and the sows in the adjuvant groups were intramuscularly injected with PPV vaccine with a 2.0-ml propolis flavonoid adjuvant (PA) and oil emulsion adjuvant. After that, serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers and specific immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG subclasses were measured to evaluate the adjuvant effects of propolis flavonoid on the humoral immune responses, as well as peripheral lymphocyte proliferation activity and serum concentrations of Th1 and Th2 cytokines for cellular immunity. Results indicated an enhancing effect of PA on IgM, interleukins 2 and 4, interferon-γ, and IgG subclass responses. Especially in the effect of improving cellular immune response, the PA was the best. These findings suggested that PA can significantly enhance the immune responses against the PPV vaccine and could be an alternative way to improve PPV vaccination in sows. Furthermore, we screened the PF chemical components to the effectiveness of anti-PPV. Ferulic acid has an excellent anti-PPV effect.

Equipping Farrowing Pens with Straw Improves Maternal Behavior and Physiology of Min-Pig Hybrid Sows.

Simple SummaryThis study used different sow breeds combined with an enriched environment to relieve stress and to improve the welfare level of sows. Both groups of sows were in loose-housed pens. Sows living in a barren environment (BE) without straw were compared with sows in farrowing crates that received 3.5 kg of straw daily (enriched environment (EE)). Compared with BE sows, EE sows showed more nest-building behavior prior to farrowing, more nursing behavior, and less ventral recumbency behavior during the first three days postpartum. Furthermore, compared with BE sows, EE sows tended to have higher concentrations of serum oxytocin and prolactin, while the concentration of cortisol was lower, suggesting an increase in maternal behavior and a reduction of stress in this group. In addition, the concentration of oxytocin and both the frequency and duration of prepartum nest-building behavior were higher in Duroc × Min and Landrace × Min sows compared with Landrace × Yorkshire sows. However, the concentration of prolactin was significantly lower in both Duroc × Min and Landrace × Min sows than in Landrace × Yorkshire sows, indicating that hybrid sows of Min-pig inherited good maternal characteristics. Based on these results, straw enrichment improved Min-pig hybrid sow welfare during farrowing and lactation.This study investigated the effects of two factors, enriched environment (EE) and different crossbreeds, on the maternal behavior and physiology of Min-pig hybrid sows. The analysis was performed on a total of 72 multiparous sows, including Duroc × Min pig (DM), Landrace × Min pig (LM), and Landrace × Yorkshire (LY) sows, using a total of 24 sows per cross. The sows were housed in two different farrowing pens, one with straw (EE) and one without straw (barren environment (BE)). The results showed that nest-building behavior, including the frequency, total duration, and bout duration, was significantly higher in EE sows than in BE sows (p < 0.01). The frequency and duration of prepartum nest-building behavior were higher in DM and LM sows than in LY sows (p < 0.0001). During the first three days postpartum, EE sows spent a shorter time in ventral recumbency compared with BE sows (p < 0.05). The oxytocin (p < 0.05) and prolactin (p < 0.01) concentrations of EE sows were significantly higher than in BE sows; however, the concentration of cortisol followed the opposite (p < 0.01). The concentration of oxytocin was significantly higher in DM and LM sows than in LY sows (p < 0.01). In conclusion, both EE increased the expression of hormones related to parental behaviors and prenatal nesting and nursing behavior of sows. Furthermore, an EE can also reduce stress in sows. Min-pig hybrids may inherit highly advantageous characteristics of maternal behavior of Min-pig sows.

Mannan oligosaccharide supplementation in diets of sow and (or) their offspring improved immunity and regulated intestinal bacteria in piglet1.

The objectives of the current study were to explore the effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation in the diets of sow and (or) their offspring on intestinal bacteria, intestinal and systemic inflammation in the piglet. A total of 60 multiparous sows (4 ± 1 parity; Landrace × Yorkshire) were fed either control diet (sCON, n = 30) or a diet containing 400 mg kg-1 MOS (sMOS, n = 30) from day 86 of gestation until weaning (day 20 of postpartum). On day 7 of age, offspring (Duroc × Landrace Yorkshire) were assigned within sow treatments and fed control diet (pCON) or diet containing 800 mg kg-1 MOS (pMOS) for 28 d (end at 35 d of age), resulting in four piglet diet groups (n = 15 litters per diet group): sCON-pCON, sCON-pMOS, sMOS-pCON, and sMOS-pMOS. Results found that piglet diet MOS increased or tend to increase Lactobacillus amount in the ileum digesta (P < 0.01) and jejunum digesta (P = 0.07), respectively; while tend to decrease Escherichia coli amount in jejunum digesta (P =0.06) and cecum digesta (P = 0.08). Both sow and piglet diets add MOS (sMOS-pMOS) increased Lactobacillus amount but decreased E. coli amount in jejunum digesta (P < 0.05) compared with the sCON-pCON diet group. In addition, sow diet MOS (rather than piglet diet MOS) increased sIgA content in piglet jejunum mucosa compared with control (P = 0.04). Sow diet MOS decreased toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) mRNA levels (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) mRNA level (P = 0.07) in piglet intestinal lymphatic. The interaction effects between sow and piglet diets were found on the mRNA levels of NF- κB p65 (P = 0.03) and IL-8 (P = 0.02) in piglet jejunum. Finally, the sow diet MOS decreased proinflammatory cytokines IL-2 (P < 0.01) and IL-4 (P < 0.01) concentrations in piglet serum. Piglets diet MOS decreased the contents of IL-2 (P = 0.03), IL-4 (P = 0.01) and interferon (IFN)-γ (P < 0.01) while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P < 0.01) content in serum. The interaction effects between sows and piglet diets on IL-4 (P = 0.02), IL-10 (P < 0.01), and IFN-γ (P = 0.08) were observed. In conclusion, sow and/or piglet diet MOS could improve intestinal microbiota, enhance intestinal mucosal immune competence, and suppress intestinal and systemic inflammation in the piglet.

Butyrate promotes slow-twitch myofiber formation and mitochondrial biogenesis in finishing pigs via inducing specific microRNAs and PGC-1α expression1.

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of dietary butyrate supplementation on muscle fiber-type composition and mitochondrial biogenesis of finishing pigs, and the underlying mechanisms. Thirty-two LY (Landrace × Yorkshire) growing pigs with BW of 64.9 ± 5.7 kg were randomly allotted to either control (basal diet) or butyrate diets (0.3% butyrate sodium). Compared with the control group, diet supplemented with butyrate tended to increase average daily gain (P < 0.10). Pigs fed butyrate diet had higher intramuscular fat content, marbling score and pH24 h, and lower shear force and L*24 h in longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle than that fed control diet (P < 0.05). Interestingly, supplemented with butyrate increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA level of myosin heavy chain I (MyHC-I) and the percentage of slow-fibers, and decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA level of MyHC-IIb in LT muscle. Meanwhile, pigs in butyrate group had an increase in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and the mRNA levels of mtDNA-encoded genes (P < 0.05). Moreover, feeding butyrate diet increased PGC-1α (PPAR γ coactivator 1α) level, decreased miR-133a-3p level and increased its target gene level (TEAD1, TEA domain transcription factor 1), increased miR-208b and miR-499-5p levels and decreased their target genes levels (Sp3 and Sox6, specificity protein 3 and SRY-box containing gene 6; P < 0.05) in the LT muscle. Collectively, these findings suggested that butyrate promoted slow-twitch myofiber formation and mitochondrial biogenesis, and the molecular mechanism may be via upgrading specific microRNAs and PGC-1α expression, finally improving meat quality.

Rapid Liver Hypertrophy After Portal Vein Occlusion Correlates with the Degree of Collateralization Between Lobes—a Study in Pigs

BackgroundAssociating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) induces more rapid liver growth than portal vein ligation (PVL). Transection of parenchyma in ALPPS may prevent the formation of collaterals between lobes. The aim of this study was to determine if abrogating the formation of collaterals through parenchymal transection impacted growth rate. MethodsTwelve Yorkshire Landrace pigs were randomized to undergo ALPPS, PVL, or “partial ALPPS” by varying degrees of parenchymal transection. Hepatic volume was measured after 7 days. Portal blood flow and pressure were measured. Portal vein collaterals were examined from epoxy casts. ResultsPVL, ALPPS, and partial ALPPS led to volume increases of the RLL by 15.5% (range 3–22), 64% (range 45–76), and 32% (range 18–77), respectively, with significant differences between PVL and ALPPS/partial ALPPS (p < 0.05). In PVL and partial ALPPS, substantial new portal vein collaterals were found. The number of collaterals correlated inversely with the growth rate (p = 0.039). Portal vein pressure was elevated in all models after ligation suggesting hyperflow to the portal vein-supplied lobe (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThese data suggest that liver hypertrophy following PVL is inversely proportional to the development of collaterals. Hypertrophy after ALPPS is likely more rapid due to reduction of collaterals through transection.

A comparison of Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion and Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta for the management of hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest: A translational model in large swine.

BackgroundSurvival rates remain low after hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA). Noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) is a major cause of potentially survivable trauma death. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) at the thoracic aorta (Zone 1) can limit subdiaphragmatic blood loss and allow for IV fluid resuscitation when intrinsic cardiac activity is still present. Selective Aortic Arch Perfusion (SAAP) combines thoracic aortic balloon hemorrhage control with intra-aortic oxygenated perfusion to achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) when cardiac arrest has occurred.Methods and findingsMale Yorkshire Landrace cross swine (80.0 ± 6.0 kg) underwent anesthesia, instrumentation for monitoring, and splenectomy. TCA was induced by laparoscopic liver lobe resection combined with arterial catheter blood withdrawal to achieve a sustained systolic blood pressure <10 mmHg, cardiac arrest. After 3 min of arrest, swine were allocated to one of three interventions: (1) REBOA plus 4 units of IV fresh whole blood (FWB), (2) SAAP with oxygenated lactated Ringer’s (LR), 1,600 mL/2 min, or (3) SAAP with oxygenated FWB 1,600 mL/2 min. Primary endpoint was survival to the end of 60 min of resuscitation, a simulated prehospital phase. Thirty animals were allocated to 3 groups (10 per group)—5 protocol exclusions resulted in a total of 35 animals being used. Baseline measurements and time to cardiac arrest were not different amongst groups. ROSC was achieved in 0/10 (0%, 95% CI 0.00–30.9) REBOA, 6/10 (60%, 95% CI 26.2–87.8) SAAP-LR and 10/10 (100%, 95% CI 69.2–100.0) SAAP-FWB animals, p < 0.001. Survival to end of simulated 60-minute prehospital resuscitation was 0/10 (0%, 95% CI 0.00–30.9) for REBOA, 1/10 (10%, 95% CI 0.25–44.5) for SAAP-LR and 9/10 (90%, 95% CI 55.5–99.7) for SAAP-FWB, p < 0.001. Total FWB infusion volume was similar for REBOA (2,452 ± 0 mL) and SAAP-FWB (2,250 ± 594 mL). This study was undertaken in laboratory conditions, and as such may have practical limitations when applied clinically. Cardiac arrest in this study was defined by intra-aortic pressure monitoring that is not feasible in clinical practice, and as such limits the generalizability of findings. Clinical trials are needed to determine if the beneficial effects of SAAP-FWB observed in this laboratory study will translate into improved survival in clinical practice.ConclusionsSAAP conferred a superior short-term survival over REBOA in this large animal model of hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest with NCTH. SAAP using an oxygen-carrying perfusate was more effective in this study than non-oxygen carrying solutions in TCA. SAAP can effect ROSC from hemorrhage-induced electrocardiographic asystole in large swine.

RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Genes Underlying Different Disease Responses to Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in Pigs

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), an economically important pathogen, causes postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and other syndrome diseases collectively known as porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD). Previous studies revealed breed-dependent differences in porcine susceptibility to PCV2; however, the genetic mechanism underlying different resistance to PCV2 infection remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that Yorkshire × Landrace (YL) pigs exhibited serious clinical features typifying PCV2 disease, while the Laiwu (a Chinese indigenous pig breed, LW) pigs showed little clinical symptoms of the disease during PCV2 infection. At 35 days post infection (dpi), the PCV2 DNA copy in YL pigs was significantly higher than that in LW pigs (P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and TGF-β1 in LW pigs and TNF-α in YL pigs increased significantly at the early infected stages, respectively; while that of IL-10 and IFN-γ in YL pigs was greatly increased at 35 dpi. RNA-seq analysis revealed that, at 35 dpi, 83 genes were up-regulated and 86 genes were down-regulated in the lung tissues of LW pigs, while in YL pigs, the numbers were 187 and 18, respectively. In LW pigs, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involved in complement and coagulation cascades, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, RIG-I-like receptor signaling and B cell receptor signaling pathways. Four up-regulated genes (TFPI, SERPNC1, SERPNA1, and SERPNA5) that are enriched in complement and coagulation cascades pathway were identified in the PCV2-infected LW pigs, among which the mRNA expression of SERPNA1, as well as three genes including TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and VEGF that are regulated by SERPNA1 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). We speculate that higher expression of SERPNA1 may effectively suppress excessive inflammation reaction and reduce the pathological degree of lung tissue in PCV2-infected pigs. Collectively, our findings indicate that the susceptibility to PCV2 infection depends on a genetic difference between LW and YL pigs, and SERPNA1 likely plays an important role in the resistance of LW pigs to PCV2 infection.

Effect of replacement of de-hulled barley with water-soaked barley in corn–soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, blood characteristics, and meat quality in finishing pigs

ABSTRACTA total of 144 crossbred pigs [(Yorkshire Landrace) × Duroc] with an average initial body weight (BW) of 61.7 kg were used to assess the effect of replacement of de-hulled barley (DB) with water soaked barley (WB) in corn-soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, blood characteristics, and meat quality in finishing pigs according to their BW and sex (12 replicates per treatment and 4 pigs per pen). The dietary treatments were: DB, basal diet containing 5% DB; WB1, basal diet + 5% WB (0–8 weeks of feeding); WB2, basal diet + 5% WB (4–8 weeks of feeding). At the end of week 4, the IgG concentration (p<.05) was higher in WB1 than DB and WB2. At the end of week 8, lymphocyte percent was higher (p<.05) in DB than WB1 whereas IgG concentration was higher in WB1 and WB2 than DB. The sensory evaluation of colour scored higher (p<.05) in WB1 and meat marbling scored higher (p<.05) in WB2 than in DB. A higher (p<.05) yellowness and drip loss (day 1 and day 5) was observed in DB than in WB1. In conclusion, replacement of DB with WB had a positive impact on blood characteristics and meat quality of finishing pigs.