Effect of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on hare reproductive performances

The study was carried out on 42 breeder couples (42 males and 42 females) of European brown hare (Lepus europaeus), divided into three groups fed three different experimental diets (14 couples/treatment). Two diets were supplemented with n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 2% of linseed oil and soybean oil, respectively) and were compared with a control diet supplemented with a monounsaturated fatty acids (2% of olive oil). During the experimental period (from 15 April to 30 September), the following parameters were recorded: days from the beginning of trial to the first parturition, parturition interval, number of parturitions, number of leverets born (alive and dead), dead during suckling, the total number of leverets weaned and feed intake per cage (of males, females and leverets until weaning). Feed intake was not influenced by treatments. In hares fed n-3 and n-6 diets, the days from the beginning of the trial to the first parturition and the parturition interval were similar and were lower compared with control group (63.1 v. 70.6 days, and 37.8 v. 40.9 days, respectively; P < 0.05). Hares from n-6 group had a higher (P < 0.05) number of parturitions per cage during the experimental period than the n-3 and control group that showed a similar value (3.00 v. 2.36, respectively). The total number of leverets born per cage and parturition in n-6 and n-3 groups increased with respect to those fed control diet (P < 0.05). The leverets' mortality rate at birth was higher in n-6 than in n-3 and control group (3.50 v. 2.17, respectively; P < 0.05). In control group, leverets' mortality rate during suckling was lower with respect to n-3 (P < 0.05) and n-6 (P < 0.05), showing the highest value for the latter (P < 0.05). In spite of this higher mortality, the number of leverets weaned per cage and parturition was higher (P < 0.05) in n-6 compared with n-3 group, being the latter higher than the control group (3.12, 2.79 and 2.43, respectively). Our results show that the dietary PUFAs, particularly n-6 supplementation, have a positive influence on the reproductive performances of the European brown hare.     

Effect of age and gender on carcass traits and meat quality of farmed brown hares

A total of 48 sub-adult hares and adult reproducing farmed hares were used to characterize carcass and meat traits according to the age and gender of animals. With respect to carcass traits, when age increased, the carcass weight significantly increased (2022 to 3391 g; P<0.001), but dressing out percentages did not change. The dissectible fat (1.3% to 2.2%; P<0.05) and Longissimus lumborum (LL) proportions (13.5% to 14.5%; P<0.001) and muscle-to-bone ratio of hind legs (5.11 to 6.23; P<0.001) increased, whereas the hind leg proportions decreased (37.3% to 36.3%; P=0.01). As for the meat quality, the pH of hind leg (5.74 to 5.83; P<0.001) and LL (5.53 to 5.69; P<0.001) increased with age, while the L* index decreased in both cuts (42.9 to 34.4 in hind leg; 45.1 to 40.3 in LL; P<0.001). The redness index increased at the hind leg (4.07 to 5.76; P<0.001), while it decreased at LL (3.03 to 1.46; P<0.001). In the case of the hind leg, meat thawing losses decreased (1.58% to 1.02%), and shear force increased (2.97 to 4.02 kg/g). In the case of LL, thawing losses decreased (8.79% to 4.91%; P<0.001) in the adult hares compared with the sub-adult ones. Meat water and protein contents decreased in the hind leg and LL of the adult hares compared with the sub-adult ones, whereas ether extract increased in a restricted range in LL only (0.92% to 1.11%; P<0.001). In the case of the hind leg, the rate of the saturated fatty acids (SFA) decreased (41.0% to 26.7%), and the rate of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (34.0% to 45.3%) (P<0.001). In the case of LL, SFA (38.6% to 42.9%) and monounsaturated fatty acids (19.4% to 27.2%) increased, whereas PUFA decreased (42.0% to 30.1%) when the age increased (P<0.001). Gender affected only the slaughter results and carcass traits. In conclusion, farmed hares have favourable slaughter results (high dressing percentage), carcass traits (high hind legs and loins rates), and meat nutritional value (high-protein, low-fat meat). This fact would offer additional commercial opportunities, in addition to restocking, to hare farmers.     

Behaviour, population changes and dispersal of mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Scotland

Mountain hares in north-east Scotland spent the day in forms in long heather and moved downhill in the evening to feed in hill pastures. Here they grazed intensively, often in groups of 4–6 individuals. In June and July adult females, then pregnant or lactating, grazed in daylight on the pastures. Leverets spent less time grazing, and more in play and exploration. They spent the day in cover near the feeding areas, and if disturbed during grazing crouched or went into cover, while adults fled. During 1982 and 1983 males predominated in groups of grazing hares, but in 1984 both sexes were equally represented. These changes in sex ratio were reflected in the increased proportion of females trapped for marking between February and late July during 1982–86. There was a dominance order related to weight among male hares and dominant hares approached more females. There was no firm evidence of mate-guarding. Males approached females regardless of their oestrous state and were usually rebuffed with varying degrees of intensity including striking and chasing. There were no interactions between females. Adults of both sexes chased leverets for short distances but leverets joined groups of feeding adults. Neither leverets nor first-winter hares showed evidence of dispersal. Mountain hares avoided sheep and cattle and there were fewer hares after the arrival of sheep in May.     

Postnatal development and thermoregulation in the precocial European hare (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepus europaeus</Emphasis>)

We investigated postnatal development of captive juvenile European hares (Lepus europaeus) with respect to growth, food intake and thermoregulation. Leverets increased their body weight on average 8.5-fold within 35 days, with a peak in relative growth rate on day 8. Although leverets started to take up solid food in the 2nd week of lactation, milk was the main energy source. Leverets of larger litters (two or three young) had less energy supply via milk than those of smaller litters (one young), and digested more energy in form of solid food. Weaning weight was positively correlated with body weight at birth and decreased with increasing litter size. Metabolic rates were largely determined by ambient temperature (Ta) and the increasing body weights. Leverets were able to maintain normothermic body temperatures from the Ist day of life during cold exposure down to Ta -8 degrees C. In their 1st week of life leverets showed reduced rates of heat loss in the cold, possibly by using peripheral vasoconstriction. Our results suggest that the precocial development of leverets is characterised by high maintenance costs due to rapid growth and thermoregulation, which may lead to negative energy balances when food supply is inadequate and T(a)s are low. We hypothesise that these physiological characteristics have played an important role in the recent decline of European hare populations.     

Seasonal Effects of Habitat on Sources and Rates of Snowshoe Hare Predation in Alaskan Boreal Forests

Survival and predation of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) has been widely studied, yet there has been little quantification of the changes in vulnerability of hares to specific predators that may result from seasonal changes in vegetation and cover. We investigated survival and causes of mortalities of snowshoe hares during the late increase, peak, and decline of a population in interior Alaska. From June 2008 to May 2012, we radio-tagged 288 adult and older juvenile hares in early successional and black spruce (Picea mariana) forests and, using known-fate methods in program MARK, evaluated 85 survival models that included variables for sex, age, and body condition of hares, as well as trapping site, month, season, year, snowfall, snow depth, and air temperature. We compared the models using Akaike’s information criterion with correction for small sample size. Model results indicated that month, capture site, and body condition were the most important variables in explaining survival rates. Survival was highest in July, and more generally during summer, when alternative prey was available to predators of hares. Low survival rates coincided with molting periods, breeding activity in the spring, and the introduction of juveniles to the sample population in the fall. We identified predation as the cause of mortality in 86% of hare deaths. When the source of predation could be determined, hares were killed more often by goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) than other predators in early successional forest (30%), and more often by lynx (Lynx canadensis) than other predators in black spruce forest (31%). Great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) represented smaller proportions of hare predation, and non-predatory causes were a minor source (3%) of mortality. Because hares rely on vegetative cover for concealment from predators, we measured cover in predation sites and habitats that the hares occupied and concluded that habitat type had a greater influence on the sources of predation than the amount of cover in any given location within a habitat. Our observations illustrate the vulnerability of hares to predators in even the densest coniferous habitat available in the boreal forest, and indicate strong seasonal changes in the rates and sources of predation.     

Impact of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea on Performance of Growing Pigs

The impact of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) infection on the US pork industry has mainly been attributed to the mortality that it causes in suckling piglets, and, consequently, much effort has been invested in the quantification of its effect in sow farms. However, no information on the performance of surviving pigs that were exposed to the PEDv as piglets is available. Here, a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) infection on growing pigs’ performance, as indicated by mortality, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was performed using production records from weaned pigs in nursery and wean-to-finish sites from sow farms that became PEDv-infected between May 2013 and June 2014. Production records from the first batch of growing pigs weaned in infected flows after the PEDv outbreak (“infected batches”) were compared with those from pigs weaned within the previous 14 to 120 days (“control batches”). Performance records from infected and control batches, paired by flow, were compared using non-parametric paired tests. Mortality, ADG and FCR were significantly different in PEDv-positive (infected) compared with PEDv-negative (control) batches, with a mean increase of mortality and FCR of 11% and 0.5, respectively, and a decrease of ADG of 0.16 lb/day. Our results demonstrate a poorer performance of growing pigs weaned after a PEDv outbreak compared with those weaned within the previous 14-120 days, suggesting that in addition to the mortality induced by PEDv in suckling pigs, the disease also impairs the performance of surviving pig. These findings help to quantify the impact of PEDv infection in the US and, ultimately, contribute to efforts to quantify the cost-effectiveness of disease prevention and control measures.     

Reproductive response to suckling manipulation in Spanish goats

One hundred and fifty-six Spanish does were used to evaluate the effect of suckling manipulation on postpartum breeding. Does were divided into four herds dependent upon their kidding dates (range from October to January) and location. All kids were nursed ad libitum for approximately 30 days following birth. Groups were then subdivided, and does with kids were randomly allotted to one of the following treatment groups: 1) continuous suckling (CS), 2) once-daily suckling (ODS) or 3) early weaning (EW). Nonlactating does (NL) which lost a kid or aborted were also evaluated for rebreeding performance. At least one fertile male equipped with a marking harness was placed with each treatment group for estrus detection. After 30 days, ODS kids were returned to their dams. The proportion of does exhibiting estrus within 60 days postpartum was greater for ODS and EW does compared to CS does (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). Postpartum interval to first estrus was shorter (P<0.05) for ODS does than for CS does (41.7 and 48.0 days, respectively). The percentage of does conceiving within 60 days postpartum was 25.0, 44.7, 74.4 and 70.7% for CS, ODS, EW and NL does, respectively. The interval from parturition to conception was shorter (P<0.05) for ODS does (43.6 days) than for CS does (50.4 days). Overall kid production was 1.87 kids/doe/year. These results indicate that reducing the suckling stimulus in Spanish does during the breeding season may result in an earlier return to estrus with a greater percentage of does rebreeding within 60 days postpartum.     

Predation on brown hare and ring-necked pheasant populations in southern Sweden

Predation on brown hares and pheasants in relation to their production was examined in an open field area in southern Sweden. Biomass and numbers of hares and pheasants eaten by the predators were calculated from data on food habits, food requirements, and numbers of the mammalian and avian predators present (11 species). At the same time estimates of numbers and production of hares and pheasants were obtained. At least 40% of the estimated annual production of hares and almost 60% of subadult-adult pheasants in autumn were consumed by the predators. Estimated numbers of hares and pheasants taken by the predators greatly exceeded shooting and road mortality. Foxes and cats were the predominant predators on hares (about 90% of total hare consumption). Foxes accounted for about two-thirds of predation on pheasants; cats and goshawks were of secondary importance. Pheasant nests were preyed upon by hooded crows and also by badgers. Hares and pheasants contributed only about 3 and 1%, respectively, of the food of the predators.     

Biochemical Genetic Relationships Among Tunisian Hares (Lepus sp.), South African Cape Hares (L. capensis), and European Brown Hares (L. europaeus)

Tunisian hares (n = 45), currently assigned to Lepus capensis, were assayed for allelic variation at 40 allozyme loci, and allele frequencies at 32 loci were directly compared with earlier data of South African cape hares (L. capensis, n = 9) and European brown hares (L. europaeus, n = 244) to reveal genetic relationships among them. European mountain hares (L. timidus, n = 200) were used for outgroup comparison. In the Tunisian hares 27.5% of the loci were polymorphic with 2–4 alleles. Among all alleles at polymorphic loci, 15.1% occurred exclusively in Tunisian hares, 5.7% exclusively in cape hares, and 7.5% exclusively in brown hares at low frequencies. Not a single locus showed alternately fixed alleles between the samples of the L. capensis/L. europaeus complex. Levels of absolute and relative genetic differentiation among the samples of the L. capensis/ L. europaeus complex were low, relative to pairwise comparisons involving mountain hares. Diverse cluster analyses and multidimensional scaling of various pairwise genetic distance matrices concordantly grouped Tunisian hares with brown hares, and South African cape hares clustered only slightly farther apart, whereas mountain hares were distinctly separate. These results suggest regionally distinct phylogenetic units within an overall cohesive gene pool in the L. capensis/ L. europaeus complex, supporting Petter's view that all North African hares belong to L. capensis except for one local population of savanna hares, and that cape hares and brown hares are conspecific.     

Confinement of lactating sows in crates for 4 days after farrowing reduces piglet mortality

To reduce mortality among suckling piglets, lactating sows are traditionally housed in farrowing crates. Alternatively, lactating sows can be housed in farrowing pens where the sow is loose to ensure more behavioural freedom and consequently a better welfare for the sow, although under commercial conditions, farrowing pens have been associated with increased piglet mortality. Most suckling piglets that die do so within the first week of life, so potentially lactating sows do not have to be restrained during the entire lactation period. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether confinement of the sow for a limited number of days after farrowing would affect piglet mortality. A total of 210 sows (Danish Landrace × Danish Yorkshire) were farrowed in specially designed swing-aside combination farrowing pens measuring 2.6 m × 1.8 m (combi-pen), where the sows could be kept loose or in a crate. The sows were either: (a) loose during the entire experimental period, (b) crated from days 0 to 4 postpartum, (c) crated from days 0 to 7 postpartum or (d) crated from introduction to the farrowing pen to day 7 postpartum. The sows and their subsequent litters were studied from introduction to the combi-pen ∼1 week before expected farrowing and until 10 days postpartum. Confinement period of the sow failed to affect the number of stillborn piglets; however, sows that were crated after farrowing had fewer live-born mortality deaths (P < 0.001) compared with the sows that were loose during the experimental period. The increased piglet mortality among the loose sows was because of higher mortality in the first 4 days after farrowing. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that crating the sow for 4 days postpartum was sufficient to reduce piglet mortality.     

Resumption of oestrous behaviour and cyclic ovarian activity in suckling and non-suckling ewes

In Préalpes de Sud ewes after an autumn lambing, the mean post-partum interval to first LH surge was 10 +/- 1 days and 17 +/- 1 days for non-suckling and suckling ewes, respectively. Post-partum interval to first luteal phase, estimated from plasma progesterone concentrations, was similar in non-suckling and suckling ewes (27 +/- 1 days and 28 +/- 5 days, respectively). Interval to first oestrus was shorter in non-suckling (22 +/- 2 days) than in suckling ewes (35 +/- 2 days) but these first oestrous periods were followed by short luteal phases in 60% (12/20) of non-suckling ewes and in only 7% (2/29) of suckling ewes. Finally, suckling slightly postponed the resumption of the first oestrus followed by a normal oestrous cycle (37 +/- 1 days versus 31 +/- 2 days) because progesterone, essential for oestrus expression, was secreted mainly during normal luteal phases in 70% (21/30) of suckling ewes and during short cycles in 95% (21/22) of non-suckling ewes. Therefore, the primary consequence of suckling is to regulate the conditions of resumption of cyclic ovarian activity after parturition.     

Suckling behavior and its development in two Yangtze finless porpoise calves in captivity

We focally observed the suckling behavior of two Yangtze finless porpoise calves, C05 and C07, in captivity. Between 15 and 730 days postpartum of C05 and between birth and 30 days postpartum of C07, 286.3 (1.9 ± 0.4 hr/day (mean ± standard deviation), n = 148 days) and 18.3 hr (2.0 ± 0.5 hr/day, n = 9 days) of video footage were recorded, in which 429 and 111 suckling events were observed, respectively. We found that the calves made their initial suckling attempts after repeated stroking of the mother's body with their rostrums. The suckling duration was 4.4 ± 1.8 sec and 4.8 ± 2.4 sec, respectively. Before suckling, the calves swam under the mother's genital region (99.1% of number of event, respectively). During suckling, the mother generally turned sideways to facilitate the calves' suckling (80.7 and 76.6%, respectively). The calves almost equally used the two mammary slits [52.2% (left) and 47.8% (right), and 44.1% (left) and 55.9% (right), respectively]. The frequency and proportion of time C05 spent suckling continuously decreased to zero by 483 days postpartum. The two variables for C07 increased following birth, to a peak at 16 days postpartum, and then decreased continuously until 30 days postpartum. We discuss the possible implications of these observations for the management and conservation of this endangered cetacean.     

Short communication: insoluble fibres in supplemental pre-weaning diets affect behaviour of suckling piglets

We investigated the effect of offering supplementary dietary fibres to suckling piglets on their behaviour and performance before weaning. From 5 to 22 days of age, suckling piglets were offered a high-fibre diet (HF; 5% cellulose; n=5 litters), or a control low-fibre diet (n=5 litters). Piglets were housed with the sows in individual farrowing pens, and had access to maternal milk until weaning, at 23 days of age. Behaviours of six focal piglets per pen were scored at 6, 16 and 21 days of age. All piglets were individually weighed at 5, 15 and 20 days of age and feed intake was measured daily at the pen level. Piglets on the HF diet were more active than controls (P=0.05), and spent more time suckling or massaging the udder (P=0.01) and interacting with pen mates (P=0.008). Time spent manipulating pen mates, which may reflect re-directed foraging activity in the absence of substrate, accounted for most of the time spent interacting with pen mates (⩾73% of total time spent interacting). Dietary fibres had no effect on BW and feed intake. In conclusion, inclusion of cellulose in the supplemental diet of suckling piglets affects behaviour, with no deleterious effects on performance before weaning.     

Insights into suckling rabbit feeding behaviour: acceptability of different creep feed presentations and attractiveness for sensory feed additives

In young rabbit, digestive disorders are frequently observed around weaning. Stimulating the onset of feed intake in the suckling rabbit might be a way to promote gut health. The aim of this study was to determine the rabbit’s acceptability for different feed presentations and its preferences for flavours at an early stage of life. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of physical form and flavouring on creep feed attractiveness. All the diets tested were provided in the nest from 3 to 17 days, and the daily intake per litter was recorded as of 8 days of age. In the first trial, five feed presentations were tested separately (n = 60 litters). Three dry presentations were chosen: commercial pellet (P), crumb from commercial pellet (cP) and crumb from beet pulp pellet (cBP). Hydrated feeds were also provided with either raw fodder beetroot (B) or a semi-solid feed in agar gel form produced with fodder beetroot juice and pulp (gB). In the second trial, double-choice tests were performed on four feed gels (n = 72 litters), leading to six comparison treatments. These agar gels were made of pellet mash without or with a sensory additive: one non-odorised control gel and three gels with 0.20% banana flavour, 0.06% red berry flavour and 0.10% vanilla flavour, respectively. In the first trial, kits ate more gB in fresh matter than other feed presentations (P < 0.001), with a total intake of 7.0 ± 1.8 g/rabbit from 8 to 17 days. In DM, the total consumption of pellets P (1.6 ± 0.4 g of DM/rabbit) was the highest together with the gB form (1.4 ± 0.4 g of DM/rabbit), whereas cBP was barely consumed (0.3 ± 0.1 g of DM/rabbit). Gel feed supplemented with vanilla was slightly more consumed than other flavoured and non-odorised gels (relative consumption of 57% when compared to control gel; P = 0.001). The gel feed intake was independent of the milk intake but was correlated with the litter weight at 3 days (r = 0.40, P < 0.001). In both trials, rabbit growth before and after weaning was not affected by the type of creep feed provided. Our results confirmed that providing creep feed promotes the solid intake of rabbits at early stages. Gel feed form motivated rabbits to eat and vanilla flavour supplementation increased the feed palatability. Those creep feed characteristics should be explored further for seeking effective stimulation of the onset of the feed intake in suckling rabbit.     

Survival and causes of death among released brown hares (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepus europaeus</Emphasis> Pallas, 1778) in Central Poland

We describe the results of our research on population dynamics among brown hares reared in enclosures and then released into suitable natural habitat. Radio-tracking was used to follow the fate of 60 released brown hares over a 4-year period, extending between November 2005 and November 2009. The survival rate among these animals after 12 months was estimated to be 37 %, with 22 tagged individuals surviving beyond 1 year post-release. The highest (40 %) level of mortality characterised the first month after release, while a second period of enhanced mortality coincided with the breeding season (altogether accounting for a 20 % mortality rate). There was no significant relationship between body mass and mortality rate in the first month following release. A natural cause of death was predation by mammals, which accounted for some 31 % of all losses. Remaining causes were poaching (13 %), hits by vehicles (7 %) and unidentified causes (9 %). However, in at least 40 % of cases, it was not possible to determine the date when a released animal died, to say nothing of the cause of death.     

Candidemia in a public hospital in Northeastern Brazil: Epidemiological features and risk factors in critically ill patients

BackgroundCandidemia is a life-threatening fungal infection characterized by the presence of Candida in the blood.AimsTo describe the clinical–epidemiological features and main risk factors among patients with candidemia admitted to Intensive Care Unit.MethodsA cross-sectional, retrospective and observational study was performed between January 2015 and July 2016. Laboratory reports and medical records from ICU patients admitted to a public hospital in northeastern Brazil were analyzed.ResultsThere were 1573 admissions and 67 of them were positive for candidemia. The majority of patients were male (53.3%) and remained at the hospital for more than seven days (86.6%). Non-C. albicans Candida infections (60%) were predominant. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was prescribed in 98.4% of the cases. The most frequent underlying diseases were sepsis (73.3%), presence of solid tumors (15%), respiratory condition (60%), urinary tract disease (56.6%) and gastrointestinal tract diseases (23.3%). Surgeries were carried out on 43% of the patients, consisting of 23.3% abdominal surgeries, with a mortality rate of 92.8%. Risk factors were venous central access (93.3%), mechanical ventilation (81.6%), nasoenteral tube (83.3%), nasogastric tube (25%), indwelling bladder catheter (88.3%), diabetes mellitus (55%) and tracheostomy (36.6%). Statistical analysis correlated the use of indwelling bladder catheter with a higher mortality rate (r = 0.07412, p = 0.0353).ConclusionsThe current study reveals the high case fatality rates among critically ill patients suffering from candidemia admitted to ICU. Herein, we highlight the importance of identifying non-C. albicans Candida species and reinforce the idea of carrying out epidemiological surveillances and antifungal susceptibility tests.     

Trypanosoma lewisi: Enhanced resistance in naive lactating rats and their suckling pups

Lactating rats and their suckling offspring were shown to have a naturally occurring resistance to Trypansoma lewisi which was greater than that seen in normal adult rats and was not dependent on previous exposure to the parasite. In the case of the pups maximum protection was dependent on suckling being the sole source of nutriment and also on the peak of the parasitemia falling within the nursing period. Supplementary solid food reduced survival rates in concurrent Hemobartonella muris—T. lewisi infections: pups infected at 10 days of age and totally dependent on nursing showed 82.5% survival but only 6.6% survival when solid food was allowed to supplement milk. However, supplementary food did not reduce survival in pups infected with only T. lewisi. When pups were totally dependent upon nursing until the normal time of weaning (21 days of age), infection with H. muris—T. lewisi at the following days of age allowed the indicated mean survival rates: 10 days (82.5%), 20 (32.5%), 30 (14.3%), and 40 (100%). Infection with T. lewisi alone at the following days of age allowed the indicated mean survival rates: 10 days (100%), 15 (76%), 17 (52%), 20 (100%), and 30 (100%). Lactating rat serum agglutinated “adult forms” of T. lewisi, which correlated well with the observed sudden resolution of parasitemia in lactating animals at the time of the antigenic transition from “juvenile” to “adult” type. The “adult” stage parasitemia in suckling pups was selectively reduced when compared to that of nonlactating adult rats. The lactating rat serum factor could be passively transferred with lactating rat serum to animals already weaned.     

Enfermedad crónica,mortalidad, discapacidad y pérdida de movilidad en ancianos españoles: estudio FRADEA

Introduction

The objective of this study was to analyse the relationships between the major chronic diseases and multiple morbidity, with mortality, incident disability in basic activities of daily living, and loss of mobility in the elderly.

Material and methods

A total of 943 participants were selected from the FRADEA Study, using available baseline data of chronic diseases, and at the follow-up visit of mortality, incident disability, and loss of mobility. The analysis was made of the unadjusted and adjusted association between the number of chronic diseases, the number of 14 pre-selected diseases, and the presence of two or more chronic diseases (multiple morbidity) with adverse health events recorded.

Results

Participants with a higher number of diseases (OR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02-1.22), and 14 pre-selected diseases (OR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.38) had a higher adjusted mortality risk, but not a higher incident disease or mobility loss risk. Subjects with multiple morbidity had a higher non-significant mortality risk (HR 1.45; 95% CI: 0.87-2.43), than those without multiple morbidity. Disability-free mean time in participants with and without multiple morbidity was 846 ± 34 and 731 ± 17 days, respectively (Log-rank χ² 7.45. P =.006), and with our without mobility loss was 818±32 and 696±13 days, respectively (Log rank χ² 10.99. P =.001).

Conclusions

Multiple morbidity was not associated with mortality, incident disability in ADL, or mobility loss in adults older than 70 years, although if mortality is taken into account, the number of chronic diseases is linear.