SLA-11 mutations are associated with litter size traits in Large White and Chinese DIV pigs

Litter size is an important economic traits in pigs. SLA-11 gene is a member of SLA (swine leukocyte antigen) complex. In our previous study, the SLA-11 gene was differentially expressed in PMSG-hCG stimulated preovulatory ovarian follicles of Chinese Taihu and Large White sows. Here, we identified two mutations (c.754-132 T?>?C and c.1421?+?38 T?>?C) in SLA-11 gene and analyzed the associations of two SNPs with litter size traits in Large White (n?=?263) and DIV (n?=?117) sows. The results showed that in Large White pigs, SLA-11 c.754-132?CC sows produced 0.74 and 0.87 more pigs per litter for TNB and NBA of all parities than did TT sows (p?<?.05); In DIV pigs, SLA-11 c.754-132?CC sows produced 1.17 more pigs per litter for TNB of all parities than did TC sows (p?<?.05). In Large White pigs, SLA-11 c.1421?+?38?CC sows produced 0.9 more pigs per litter for TNB of all parities than did TT sows (p?<?.05), while in DIV pigs SLA-11 c.1421?+?38?CC sows produced 0.84 and 0.7 less pigs per litter for TNB and NBA of all parities than did TT sows (p?<?.05). Our research indicated that SLA-11 mutations were potential molecular markers for improving the litter size traits in pigs.     

Effects of different iron supply to pregnant sows (Sus scrofa domestica L.) on reproductive performance as well as iron status of new-born piglets

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different iron (Fe) supply to sows during gestation on their reproductive performance and placental Fe load. Additionally, the Fe status of the corresponding offspring was assessed. Twenty multiparous sows were fed from insemination to farrowing with isoenergetic and isonitrogenic balanced diets differing in Fe content. The diet low in Fe (Group ?Fe) was mainly composed of soybean meal and maize meal and had a Fe content of 114 mg/kg DM. For the diet high in Fe (Group +Fe), the diet was supplemented with Fe(II)SO₄ · 7H₂O to a total Fe content of 256 mg/kg. Blood characteristics (haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haem concentration, total Fe-binding capacity, transferrin saturation) of all sows were measured at the beginning and at the end of gestation. Daily Fe retention was calculated at the day of farrowing. After birth, reproductive performance (litter size, piglet weight, litter weight), placental Fe content and Fe blood characteristics of the piglets were determined. Apparent daily Fe retention tended to be greater in Group +Fe (p < 0.1). Blood parameters of the sows did not show any variations between feeding groups, neither at the beginning nor at the end of pregnancy, whereas placental Fe content was lower in Group ?Fe (p < 0.05). In addition, Fe supply during gestation improved litter size (p < 0.01) and litter weight (p < 0.05). Although all sows were supplied according to the current Fe recommendations, a significant decline in reproductive performance of Group ?Fe was recognised. Therefore, it was concluded that the re-evaluation of the gross Fe requirements of pregnant sows is inevitable to accommodate the current feeding recommendations.     

Effects of high dietary fibre diets formulated from by-products from vegetable and agricultural industries on plasma metabolites in gestating sows

The aim of the present study was to examine the biochemical influence of feeding high dietary fibre (DF) diets formulated from by-products from the vegetable and agricultural industries to sows during early to mid-gestation. The effect of feeding frequency (once vs. twice daily) on diurnal plasma metabolites patterns was also examined. The study included a total of 48 gestating sows from four blocks (12 gestating sows in each block). The sows were fed four different diets containing varying levels of starch (304–519 g/kg dry matter (DM)) and DF (171–404 g/kg DM) but with equal amounts of net energy. The low-DF diet (control) was based on barley and wheat, and the three high-DF diets formulated by replacing barley and wheat by pectin residue, sugar beet pulp and potato pulp, respectively. The experimental design comprised two periods of 4 weeks each. Half the sows were fed once daily at 08:00 h in the first period and twice daily at 08:00 and 15:00 h during the second period, and vice versa for the other half of the sows. Plasma samples from vena jugularis were collected by venipuncture at 07:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 19:00 h. Feeding high-DF increased plasma short-chain fatty acids (p = 0.02) and non-esterified fatty acids (p < 0.001). However, there was no clear effect of DF on glucose and insulin responses. A negative correlation between amount of DF in the diets and plasma creatine (R ² = 1.00; diet effect: p = 0.02) suggested that plasma creatine concentrations was an indicator for the level of glucose–glycogen interchange. Furthermore, an explorative approach using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based metabonomics identified betaine (p < 0.001), dimethyl sulfone (DMSO₂; p < 0.001) and scyllo-inositol (p < 0.001) as biomarkers for the different by-products; pectin residue was related to high plasma levels of DMSO₂, sugar beet pulp to plasma betaine, DMSO₂ and scyllo-inositol, and potato pulp to plasma DMSO₂ and scyllo-inositol. In conclusion, replacing starch by DF affected surprisingly few metabolites in peripheral plasma. No negative effects were found in feeding pectin residue, sugar beet pulp or potato pulp for gestating sows as judged from the minor metabolic changes.     

Function of Tongue-Playing of Cattle in Association With Other Behavioral and Physiological Characteristics

To study the function of tongue-playing of cattle, this study observed 71 Japanese Black × Holstein steers after feeding in 2 repetitive experiments. The number of steers who performed tongue-playing did not differ among the 3 levels of environmentally enriched pens. Most (90.6%) performances of tongue-playing terminated within 20 min. Frequency of tongue-playing positively correlated with the frequency of resting (r = 0.25, p < .05). Frequency of eating was lower in tongue-playing steers (n = 40) than in non-tongue-playing steers (n = 31; p < .05). Frequencies of self-grooming (p < .05), ruminating (p < .05), and lying ruminating (p < .01) were higher in tongue-playing steers. Plasma dopamine concentration was lower in tongue-playing steers (p < .05). In conclusion, tongue-playing that lasts only for a short time after feeding was induced by behavioral features of steers who rest more and eat hay less at the same time as they perform grooming and ruminating.     

Effect of Different Selenium Sources on Productive Performance,Serum and Milk Se Concentrations,and Antioxidant Status of Sows

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of different selenium (Se) sources on productive performance, serum and milk Se concentrations, and antioxidant status of sows. A total of 12 sows (Landrace×Yorkshire) with same pregnancy were randomly divided into two groups; each group was replicated six times. These two groups received the same basal gestation and lactation diets containing 0.042 mg Se/kg, supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg sodium selenite or selenomethionine (i.e., seneno-dl-methylseleno), respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 60 days, with 32 and 28 days for gestation and lactation period, respectively. Compared with sodium selenite, maternal selenomethionine intake significantly increased (P < 0.05) the weaning litter weight and average weight of piglet. The Se concentration in the serum, colostrum, and milk of sows were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the selenomethionine-treated group. The antioxidant status was greatly improved in sows of selenomethionine-treated group and was illuminated by the increased total antioxidant capability (T-AOC; P < 0.05) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA; P < 0.01) level in the serum of sows, increased T-AOC (P < 0.05), glutathione (GSH) peroxidase (P < 0.05), superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05) and GSH (P < 0.05), and MDA (P < 0.05) level in the colostrum and milk of sows. These results suggested that maternal selenomethionine intake improved Se concentration and antioxidant status of sows, thus maintain maternal health and increase productive performance after Se was transferred to its offspring.     

Increasing the Frequency of Co-Mingling Piglets During the Lactation Period Alters the Development of Social Behavior Before and After Weaning

The purpose of this study was to determine how increasing the frequency of co-mingling affected piglets' behavior development before and after weaning. Co-mingling once (CM1), piglets interacted with 1 unfamiliar litter Days 10–18 after birth; co-mingling twice (CM2), piglets interacted with 1 unfamiliar litter Days 10–14; and with another, Days 14–18. Control (CM0) piglets did not interact with unfamiliar litters before Day 18 (n = 16 litters per treatment). The study weighed piglets and recorded ear-injury scores throughout the experiment; however, there were no treatment differences. The CM2 piglets spent less time engaged in aggressive interactions (p < .05) than did CM0 piglets following mixing at weaning. During the social challenge, CM2 piglets spent more time in proximity to one another, had shorter latencies to first aggressive interaction, and spent less time fighting than did CM0 piglets (p < .05). During the social recognition test, CM2 piglets recognized the stimulus piglet at a faster rate than did CM0 piglets (p < .05). Overall, CM2 resulted in changes to some social behaviors compared with CM0 but not with CM1.     

The effects of post-weaning progestagen treatment (Regumate) of early-weaned primiparous sows on subsequent reproductive performance

This study investigated the effects of feeding the orally active progestagen, altrenogest (Regumate) post-weaning on the subsequent reproductive performance of early weaned sows. Ninety (90) Large White/Landrace first parity sows were randomly assigned to three treatments. Treatment 1 (EW) and treatment 3 (CW) sows were weaned on day 12 and day 24 post-partum, respectively while treatment 2 sows (EW-R) were weaned on day 12 post-partum and received an individual daily dose of 20 mg of Regumate on days 13 to 24 post-partum inclusive. Each sow was mated naturally at least twice at the first post-weaning or post-treatment oestrus and slaughtered on days 25–28 of pregnancy to determine the number of corpora lutea and embryos. Regumate-to-oestrus and weaning-to-oestrus intervals were similar for EW-R and CW sows (6.2 vs. 5.6 days). However, both intervals were significantly shorter (P<0.01) than the weaning-to-oestrus interval of EW sows (7.3 days). An excellent synchronization of oestrus was achieved with Regumate treatment with 97% of treated sows in oestrus within 7 days of Regumate withdrawal compared with 64% for EW sows (P<0.01) and 87% for CW sows (P>0.05). Treatment with Regumate resulted in a significant increase in ovulation rate (16.9 vs. 15.4 and 14.9 for treatments EW-R, EW and CW, respectively; P<0.05) and a non-significant increase in early embryonic survival (77% vs. 68% vs. 68% for treatments EW-R, EW and CW, respectively; P>0.05). These results indicate that Regumate feeding is a potential management tool to alleviate the diminished reproductive performance associated with early weaning regimes since it leads to successful control of oestrus, higher ovulation and embryo survival rates and thus a greater potential litter size.     

Larval rearing of fringe-lipped carp,Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch) with low cost diets including green bottle fly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) larvae meal incorporated diet

A study was conducted with non-conventional ingredients to test their efficacy as fishmeal (FM) replacers in the diet of fringe- lipped carp. Labeo fimbriatus first feeding larvae and fry were reared for 30 and 60 days in indoor, 50 L, aerated, circular plastic tanks at 100 and 30 numbers tank⁻¹, respectively. In the first feeding larvae to fry rearing experiment (Exp. 1), the fish were fed with either of the following isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets – live plankton, FM diet, green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) larvae meal (GBFLM) diet and silkworm pupa (SWP) diet. The fry to fingerling rearing (Exp. 2), was also conducted using the same diets described above except live plankton. All compounded diets were formulated to contain 40% crude protein for the experiment 1 and 35% for experiment 2 and were fed ad libitum. Triplicate tanks were maintained for each treatment in both the experiments. In Exp. 1, the mean final weight of fry was higher with plankton and FM diets, while no difference (p > .05) was observed between FM and GBFLM diets. Weight of fish fed SWP diets was not statistically different from those fed GBFLM diet. No difference (p > .05) in final length, survival and condition factor was recorded. Analysis of digestive enzyme activity of whole fish revealed lower (p < .05) activity of amylase in fish fed plankton. In Exp. 2, no difference (p > .05) was observed between the different diet groups in terms of mean final weight, length, survival and condition factor. Analysis of digestive enzyme activity of whole fish revealed no difference (p > .05) in the activity of digestive enzymes between the treatments except a lower (p < .05) activity of trypsin in FM diet and lipase in FM and GBFLM diets. Since the survival and condition factors of animals is the most important aspect during nursery rearing, similar (p > .05) values recorded in different treatments indicate the possibility of incorporation of these non-conventional protein sources in the diet of L. fimbriatus during first feeding larvae to fry and fry to fingerling rearing.     

Vetrabutine clorhydrate use in dystocic farrowings minimizes hemodynamic sequels in piglets

The objective was to measure the effects of VC (a uterotonic drug with vasodilator effects) in eutocic and dystocic sows, on the acid-base balance and some vitality traits of piglets at birth. Farrowing was induced with prostaglandin F2α. Four groups of sows (20 sows/group) were monitored; Groups 1 and 2 were eutocic sows, whereas Groups 3 and 4 were dam-fetal dystocic sows. Groups 1 and 3 (control) were given saline, whereas Groups 2 and 4 were given VC im (1.66 mg/kg of body weight) after the first piglet was born. Piglets' physio-metabolic performance was monitored peripartum. Treatment with VC reduced (P < 0.0001) the percentage of intrapartum stillbirths in sows either with eutocic (5.2 vs. 10.0%) and dystocic (7.6 vs. 16.7%) farrowings and increased (P < 0.0001) the number of pigs born alive without any evidence of AFS (89.9 vs. 79.9%, eutocic and 81.6 vs. 65.2%, dystocic). In addition, for the group of pigs with no acute fetal suffering (AFS), VC treatment enhanced survival responses with a half point grater vitality score in Group 4; it also reduced the latency to first teat contact by 6 min (P < 0.05) in both treated groups compared to controls; and it improved the condition of the pigs' umbilical cord, with more adhered (98 vs. 86% in eutocic and 88 vs. 80% in dystocic; P < 0.05) and less ruptured cords. Moreover, VC reduced the severity of adverse physio-metabolic indicators and the acid-base balance of piglets with AFS at birth by lowering blood lactate (89.8 vs. 93.5 mmol/L in eutocic groups and 94.6 vs. 100.2 mmol/L in dystocic groups; P < 0.05), P_aco₂ and Ca²⁺, and by increasing blood pH, HCO₃ and P_ao₂ levels (P < 0.05).     

Effect of phototherapy on oxidant/antioxidant status: a randomized controlled trial

In order to evaluate the effect of different types of phototherapy on oxidant/antioxidant status in hyperbilirubinemic neonates, an interventional randomized control trial was conducted on 120 neonates ≥35 weeks’ gestational age with indirect hyperbilirubinemia reaching phototherapy level. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03074292. Neonates were assigned to three groups; 40 neonates received conventional phototherapy, 40 received intensive phototherapy and 40 received blue light-emitting diodes (LED) phototherapy. Complete blood count (CBC), total serum bilirubin (TSB), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) levels were measured before and 24?hours after phototherapy. TSB decreased postphototherapy in all three groups (p < .05 for all), with significantly lower levels following intensive and LED phototherapy compared to conventional phototherapy (p < .05 for both). TAC decreased postphototherapy in the three groups (p < .05 for all). MDA and NO increased postphototherapy (p < .05 for all), with the intensive phototherapy group having the highest levels followed by the conventional while LED phototherapy group showed the lowest levels in comparison to the other groups (p < .05). Cu, Zn and Fe increased postphototherapy in all three groups (p < .05 for all). Positive correlations were found between postphototherapy TSB with TAC, Cu and Zn (p < .05) and negative correlations with MDA, NO and Fe (p < .05) among neonates of the 3 studied groups. In conclusion, different photo therapies have an impact on oxidant/antioxidant balance and are associated with increased oxidative stress markers with the LED phototherapy being the safest.     

Effects of L-carnitine on reproductive performance,milk composition,placental development and IGF concentrations in blood plasma and placental chorions in sows

Recent studies have shown that L-carnitine supplementation of sows during pregnancy and lactation enhances their reproductive performance, but the underlying mechanisms are still needed to be further confirmed. This study was conducted to investigate the function of L-carnitine on placental development, milk nutrient content and release of hormones in sows. In this experiment, 40 multiparous crossbred sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were allotted to two groups fed diets with or without a supplemental 50 mg/kg L-carnitine. The experimental diets were fed from d 1 post-coitus until d 21 post-partum. L-carnitine-treated sow had fewer weak piglets (p < 0.05) and a greater percentage of oestrus by 5 after 5-d post-partum (p < 0.05) than control sows. The percentage fat from colostrum was greater in L-carnitine-treated sow than control sows (p < 0.05). L-carnitine-treated sows had greater plasma concentrations of triglyceride and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and lesser plasma concentrations of glucose and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP-3) on day 60 of pregnancy (p < 0.05). A clearer structure of chorions, better-developed capillaries and absence of necrosis were observed in L-carnitine-treated sows compared with control sows. The protein abundance of IGF-1 and IGF-2 in placental chorions was greater in L-carnitine-treated sows compared with control sows (p < 0.05). This study suggests that sows fed an L-carnitine supplemented diet during pregnancy improved reproductive performance through enhancement of placental development and by increasing IGF concentrations in blood plasma and placental chorions.     

Sleep Parameters among Offshore Workers: An Initial Assessment in the Campos Basin,Rio De Janeiro,Brazil

Shift work has potentially adverse effects on health, particularly on sleep. The purpose of the present study was to assess sleep parameters among personnel working in oil and gas offshore installations in the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One hundred and seventy-nine subjects were asked to complete a sleep questionnaire with multiple-choice answers. Offshore workers were divided into two groups according to their work schedule: (1) fixed daytime workers (n = 86; age: 35.8 ± 9.6 yrs) and (2) shift (n = 87) or night (n = 6) workers (total n = 93; age: 37.7 ± 9.7 yrs). Shift/night workers reported poor sleep more frequently than the daytime workers (20.4% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.01), as well as habitual difficulty in falling asleep (15.1% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.01), long latency of sleep onset (28% vs. 7%, p < 0.01), fragmented sleep (45.2% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.01), short sleep episodes (44.1% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.01), irregular bedtimes (29.0% vs. 12.8%, p < 0.01), and feeling tired upon awakening (15.1% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.01). Habitual napping and loud snoring were reported twice as often in shift/night than in day workers (p < 0.01). Nightmares, somnambulism, and unpleasant feeling in the legs were equality reported by both groups (p > 0.05). Few offshore workers had sought medical help for their sleep problems. A higher number of shift/night workers reported feelings of sadness compared with day workers (26.9% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.01). The findings of this study show that subjective reports of sleep-related problems are quite common among Brazilian offshore shift workers. Reliance on self-reported sleep problems and a cross-sectional design are the main limitations of our study.     

The Effects of Dietary Selenium and Vitamin E and their Combination on the Fatty Acids of Erythrocytes,Bone Marrow and Spleen Tissue Lipids of Lambs

The object was to determine the influence of dietary vitamin E, selenium and their combination on the fatty acid con-tent of erythrocytes, bone marrow and spleen lipids of Akkaraman lambs. After supplementation for 15 days, the amount of all fatty acids was slightly higher (p < 0·05) in the vitamin E as compared to the control group, whereas the amount of longer fatty acids was significantly higher (p < 0·01, p < 0·001) in the selenium and combination groups. On the thirtieth day, the amount of all fatty acids was slightly high (p < 0·5) in all the supplemented groups in comparison with the control group. In the bone marrow lipids, the amount of longer fatty acids was decreased (p < 0·05, p < 0·01, p < 0·001) in the vitamin E and combination groups as compared to the control. Although the amount of some fatty acids was high (p < 0·05, p < 0·01) in the selenium group compared to the control, linoleic (18:2), linolenic (18:3) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were lower (p < 0·05, p < 0·001). In the spleen lipids, the amount of longer fatty acids was slightly decreased (p < 0·05) in the vitamin E group as compared with the control; however the amount of longer fatty acids was significantly higher (p < 0·05, p < 0·01) in the selenium and combination groups in comparison to the control group. Thus dietary supplementation with selenium was more effective than dietary vitamin E supplementation in altering the fatty acid content of the erythrocyte, bone marrow and spleen lipids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of different amounts and type of diet during weaning-to-estrus interval on reproductive performance of primiparous and multiparous sows

During weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI), the sows are usually fed with high feed level to improve the reproductive performance. However, the WEI has been reduced over the years which may reduce the impact of feed level on performance in the modern genetic lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two feeding levels (moderate feeding level (MFL): 2.7 kg/day and high feeding level (HFL): 4.3 kg/day) and two diet types (gestation: 13.67 MJ/kg of metabolizable energy (ME) and 0.62% of standard ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys) and lactation: 14.34 MJ ME/kg and 1.20% of SID Lys) offered during the WEI on reproductive performance. In total, 19.0% of sows were excluded from the analysis due to feed intake below 75% (9.6% and 28.5% in MFL and HFL groups, respectively), remaining 254 primiparous and 806 multiparous sows. Follicular size and change in BW were measured in subsamples of 180 and 227 females, respectively. Data were analyzed considering the sow as the experimental unit. Feeding level, diet type, parity and their interactions were included as fixed effects, whereas the day of weaning was considered as a random effect. The feed intake of MFL and HFL groups averaged 2.5 ± 0.02 and 3.8 ± 0.02 kg/day, respectively. There was an interaction between feeding level and parity for daily feed intake. Within HFL, multiparous sows consumed 181 g/day more than primiparous sows (P < 0.01), but no difference was observed within MFL (P > 0.05). Both primiparous and multiparous sows lost proportionally less weight when fed HFL than MFL gestation diet during WEI. The percentage of weight loss was lower in HFL than in the MFL group in multiparous sows fed the lactation diet. The WEI was not affected by feeding level, diet type or its interaction (P > 0.05), but it was longer in primiparous than in multiparous sows (P = 0.001). There was no effect of feeding level, diet type, parity or their interactions on anestrus and farrowing rates. Multiparous sows showed greater follicular size, and greater numbers of total born and born alive piglets in the subsequent cycle than primiparous sows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding weaned primiparous and multiparous sows with 4.3 kg/day of a gestation (58.78 MJ ME and 26.66 g SID Lys) or a lactation diet (61.66 MJ ME and 51.60 g SID Lys) does not improve follicular size and reproductive performance in the subsequent cycle.     

Effect of dietary replacement of fish meal protein with crawfish shell meal (Procambarus clarkii) on the growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and anti-oxidative capacity of Oujiang color common carp (Cyprinus carpio var. color)

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary crawfish shell meal (CSM) on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and anti-oxidative capacity of Oujiang color common carp. 180 juvenile fish (initial weight 3.0 ± 0.5 g) were assigned to the control group and the CSM25 group (fed with 25% substitution of fish meal by CSM) for 8 weeks. Results showed that significant improvement in the weight gain rate (WGR) in CSM25 group than the control (p < .05), whereas no significant change in feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and feeding intake between the groups (p > .05). Also, no significant difference was obsevered between the groups in terms of serum biochemical index and muscle composition (p > .05). And liver superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lysozyme (LYZ) and protease activities in CSM25 group were significantly higher (p < .05). Moreover, histological analysis indicated that width of mucosa and thickness of muscular coat in mid-intestine were significantly changed (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary supplement with CSM25 induced high oxidative stress, promote protease activities and had no negative effects on the growth performance of Oujiang color common carp. Hence, CSM may be a viable alternative protein source to reduce the demand for fish meal.     

Increased survival of neonatal pigs by supplementing medium-chain triglycerides in late-gestating sow diets

Two experiments were conducted to study the efficacy and causes of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) in sow diet in improving the survival of neonatal pigs. In Experiment 1, beginning on d84 of gestation and continuing through d28 of lactation, 51 sows were fed corn–soybean meal diet mixed with either soybean oil (SO; n=17), coconut oil (CO; n=18), or MCT (n=16) in a proportion of 9 : 1 by weight. The highest improvement in survival of pigs by sows fed MCT (p<0.01) or CO (p<0.05) was observed during the first three days after birth in pigs weighing <1100 g at birth, compared with sows fed SO. Their three-day survival was 98.6, 80.0 and 47.6%, respectively, for MCT, CO and SO groups. In Experiment 2, beginning on d84 of gestation and continuing through farrowing, 24 sows, 8 sows per treatment, were fed diets as in Experiment 1. Liver glycogen content of pigs 4 h after born from sows fed MCT (p<0.10) and CO (p<0.01), and muscle glycogen of pigs from sows fed MCT (p<0.01) and CO (p<0.10) were increased, compared to those of pigs from sows fed SO. Plasma albumin was increased by MCT and CO (p<0.01), relative to SO. The results suggest that MCT or CO in sow diets may enhance the body glycogen stores and maturity of pigs at birth and, hence, their survival, particularly in pigs with low birth weight during the first three days of life.     

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as indicator of oxidative stress in automotive workers

Abstract

Purpose: To examine thiol-disulphide homeostasis auto painters.

Materials and methods: A total of 115 male workers, including 60 auto painters workers and 55 reference group, of the painting and assembly line units respectively, were included in the study. Thiol-disulphide parameters and ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) of groups were determined. Urinary hippuric acid, (HA) phenol, hexanedione, trichloroacetic acid, arsenic and blood lead and manganese were analysed.

Results: The median urinary HA level was significantly higher in auto painters when compared to the reference group [(2461 (1212) vs. 520 (513) µgr/L), (p?<?0.001)] . The mean disulphide level [19.7 (4.3) vs 0.15.1(4.1) μmol/L, (p?<?0.001)], the disulphide/native thiol ratio [4.72 (1.47) vs. 3.13 (1.21, (p?<?0.001)] and the disulphide/total thiol ratio [4.31 (1.23) vs. 2.94 (1.06), (p?<?0.001)] were higher in auto painters when compared to the reference group. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between urinary HA and disulphide concentrations (r?=?0.536 and p?<?0.001), disulphide/native thiol ratio (r?=?0.564 and p?<?0.001) and the disulphide/total thiol ratio (r?=?0.564 and p?<?0.001) and IMA (r?=?0.396 and p?<?0.001).

Conclusion: The results presented in this study showed that oxidative stress can be associated with occupational exposure to toluene denoted by alteration of thiol disulphide homeostasis and ischaemia-modified albumin levels.     

Characterization of Host Cell Mutants Significantly Resistant to Cryptosporidium parvum Infection

Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasitic protist and a causative agent of mild‐to‐severe diarrheal diseases in humans and animals. Despite its globally recognized importance, knowledge on the mechanism of parasite invasion and molecular interactions between host cells and the parasite is limited. Here, we report the establishment of 43 mutant cell lines derived from HCT‐8 cells by UV‐induced mutagenesis and the characterization of three mutants with significantly reduced susceptibility to cryptosporidial infection. Based on qRT‐PCR assay performed at 18 h postinfection time, the parasite loads could be reduced by ~45%, ~35%, and ~20% in mutants A05, B08, and B12, respectively (p < 0.001 in all three mutants vs. HCT‐8 cells). The mutagenesis mainly affected the attachment of parasite in A05 (i.e. ~30% reduction, p < 0.001 vs. HCT‐8), and intracellular development in B08 and B12. The three cell mutants may serve as valuable reagents to further investigate the mechanism of parasite invasion and intracellular development by identifying the gene mutations associated with the parasite attachment (A05) and intracellular development (B08 and B12).     

Overweight and Obese Pet Owners: Respondent and Pet Characteristics in the Rural Midwestern United States

The obesity epidemic has impacted both people and pets in the rural Midwestern United States (MWUS). Tailoring health advice to the socio-demographic characteristics and dietary patterns of owners and their pets can help promote adherence to health behavior changes for owners and foster health improvements for both owners and pets. The authors completed this cross-sectional study in the rural MWUS with the objective of describing health-related characteristics of non-over-weight/obese versus overweight/obese [NOO vs. OO] cat and dog owners and their pets. The primary aim was to detect differences that could inform health recommendations. For both cat and dog owners, dietary and lifestyle profiles differed between those who were non-overweight/obese and those who were overweight/obese. NOO dog owners trended toward fewer health problems, took fewer medications (p < 0.02), took more supplements (p < 0.03), and ate less fast food (p < 0.03) and more fish (p < 0.001) than OO owners. Dogs owned by NOO owners had more owner-initiated activity (M ± SD: 44.6 ± 63.0 vs. 27.2 ± 26.4 min/d) and were on more supplements (p < 0.003). NOO cat owners were younger (p < 0.03), had fewer health problems (p < 0.04), took fewer medications (p < 0.04), engaged in more exercise (p < 0.02), and ate less fast food (p < 0.03) than OO cat owners. The only significant difference between cats of NOO vs. OO owners was their predominant gender: 57% vs. 74% female (p < 0.01). These findings have implications for marketing, education, and health care for both owners and pets. Further investigation of the relationship between pet ownership and health is warranted.