Providing the plant extract silymarin to lactating sows: effects on litter performance and oxidative stress in sows

Silymarin is an extract from the plant milk thistle that was shown to have antioxidant and hyperprolactinemic properties. Taking into account the essential role of prolactin for lactating sows and the systemic oxidative stress occurring during lactation, it is of interest to investigate the potential beneficial effects of silymarin on lactating sows. A study was therefore carried out to determine the effects of providing either 1 or 8 g/day of the plant extract silymarin to lactating sows. Sows in first, second or third parity were fed conventional diets during gestation and, at farrowing, were assigned as controls (CTL, n=33), or were fed 1 g/day (SYL1, n=33) or 8 g/day (SYL8, n=33) of silymarin. The silymarin was provided in two equal amounts per day, and was fed throughout a 20-day lactation. The performance of sows and their litters was assessed and circulating concentrations of prolactin (days 7 and 18), urea (days 7 and 18) and oxidative status, via protein carbonyls and superoxide dismutase activity (day 18), were measured in sows. Milk samples were obtained on day 18 to measure standard composition. There was no effect of silymarin (P>0.10) on circulating prolactin or urea, or on oxidative damage to proteins or antioxidant potential in sows. Lactation feed intake, backfat and BW of sows were unaffected by treatment (P>0.10) as was the case for milk composition and piglet growth (P>0.10). Results demonstrate that providing up to 8 g/day of the plant extract silymarin to lactating sows had no beneficial effects in terms of circulating prolactin concentrations or oxidative status of sows, or in terms of performances of sows and their litters.     

Iodine status of Turkish pregnant women and their offspring: A national cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThis national cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the iodine status in pregnant women and their offspring, and also to demonstrate regional differences by measuring urinary iodine concentration (UIC). For each woman and her newborn a questionnaire was prepared with basic facts as age, parity number or birth weight and additional information regarding thyroid diseases, use of iodized salt in the household, extra iodine supplementation during pregnancy, education level and wage income.MethodsThe target population represented 1444 pregnant women who gave birth between January 1 st, 2018 and 2019, and their offspring. Iodine deficiency for pregnant women and their offspring were defined as urine iodine level <150 μg/L and <100 μg/L, respectively. Results are given as median (25th–75th percentile).ResultsThe median UIC in the group of pregnant woman was 94 (52–153) μg/L. Within the sample of 1444 pregnant women, UIC indicative of mild iodine deficiency (100−149 μg/L) was present in 21 % (n = 306), moderate deficiency (50−99 μg/L) in 30 % (n = 430), and severe deficiency (<50 μg/L) in 23 % (n = 337). This study showed a prevalence of 74 % of iodine deficiency in Turkish pregnant woman. The median UIC in the group of offspring was 96 (41−191) μg/L. Within the new-borns, UIC indicative of mild iodine deficiency (50−99 μg/L) was present in 22 % (n = 323), moderate deficiency (20−49 μg/L) in 15 % (n = 222), and severe deficiency (<20 μg/L) in 13 % (n = 192). This survey showed a prevalence of 51 % of iodine deficiency in Turkish new-borns. Pregnant women with lower socioeconomic and education level, lower access to household iodized salt, lower rates of exposure to povidone-iodine containing skin disinfectant, higher parity and higher iodine deficiency had higher rates of iodine deficiency in their offspring. Regional differences were observed both in mothers and their offspring concerning their iodine status.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that iodine deficiency is still an important public health problem in Turkey. More drastic measures should be taken to decrease these important iodine deficiencies, both in pregnant women and in their offspring.     

Follicular development of sows at weaning in relation to estimated breeding value for within-litter variation in piglet birth weight

In this study we aimed to identify possible causes of within-litter variation in piglet birth weight (birth weight variation) by studying follicular development of sows at weaning in relation to their estimated breeding value (EBV) for birth weight variation. In total, 29 multiparous sows (parity 3 to 5) were selected on their EBV for birth weight variation (SD in grams; High-EBV: 15.8±1.6, N=14 and Low-EBV: −24.7±1.5, N=15). The two groups of sows had similar litter sizes (15.7 v. 16.9). Within 24 h after parturition, piglets were cross-fostered to ensure 13 suckling piglets per sow. Sows weaned 12.8±1.0 and 12.7±1.0 piglets, respectively, at days 26.1±0.2 of lactation. Blood and ovaries were collected within 2 h after weaning. The right ovary was immediately frozen to assess average follicle size and percentage healthy follicles of the 15 largest follicles. The left ovary was used to assess the percentage morphologically healthy cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of the 15 largest follicles. To assess the metabolic state of the sows, body condition and the circulating metabolic markers insulin, IGF1, non-esterified fatty acid, creatinine, leptin, urea and fibroblast growth factor 21 were analysed at weaning. No significant differences were found in any of the measured follicular or metabolic parameters between High-EBV and Low-EBV. A higher weight loss during lactation was related to a lower percentage healthy COCs (β= −0.65, P=0.02). Serum creatinine, a marker for protein breakdown, was negatively related to average follicle size (β= −0.60, P=0.05). Backfat loss during lactation was related to a higher backfat thickness at parturition and to a higher average follicle size (β=0.36, P<0.001) at weaning. In conclusion, we hypothesise that modern hybrid sows with more backfat at the start of lactation are able to mobilise more energy from backfat during lactation and could thereby spare protein reserves to support follicular development.     

Immunity of Fetal Mice to Prenatal Administration of the Dopaminergic Neurotoxin 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine

Abstract: Subcutaneous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) HC1 (25 mg/kg) in pregnant female mice at the 17th day of gestation markedly depleted striatal dopamine (DA) concentrations in the mothers 24 h later and at 24 h and 28 days after delivery. By contrast, in the offspring of the female mice exposed to MPTP during pregnancy, fetal brain DA concentrations at 24 h after injection and at 24 h after birth and striatal DA levels at 14 and 28 days postnatally were unaffected and identical to those in age-matched controls. The postnatal ontogenesis of striatal DA levels was identical in offspring of control vehicle- and MPTP-treated pregnant mice. Also, prenatal challenge with MPTP did not make nigrostriatal DA neurons more vulnerable to a second postnatal treatment with the toxin. Striatal DA depletions were identical in 6-week-old mice given MPTP, whether they were exposed to MPTP or to vehicle in utero. Monoamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.4; MAO) type B activity was extremely low in the fetal brain and, relatively, much lower than that of MAO-A. Prenatal MPTP administration reduced maternal striatal and also embryonal brain MAO-B activity at 24 h post treatment but did not alter the normal postnatal development of striatal MAO-A and -B activities in the offspring. Study suggests that resistance of fetal DA neurons to the DA-depleting effect of MPTP may be due, at least in part, to an absence in the embryonal brain of adequately developed MAO-B activity required for the conversion of MPTP to its toxic metabolite, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion.     

胰岛素对不同孕期妊娠糖尿病患者血糖水平及妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨胰岛素对不同孕期妊娠合并糖尿病孕产妇血糖水平及妊娠结局的影响。方法:选择2011年7月-2015年4月在我院接受治疗的妊娠期糖尿病患者200例,均采用胰岛素治疗。检测患者血糖变化、妊娠期并发症的发生情况,并分析孕期对胰岛素治疗效果的影响。结果:治疗后产妇空腹血糖及餐后2 h血糖均低于治疗前,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);孕期32周的产妇治疗后空腹血糖及餐后2 h血糖均低于孕期≥32周的产妇,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。孕期32周的产妇妊娠高血压及产后出血的发生率均低于孕期≥32周的产妇,但早产及剖宫产的发生率高于孕期≥32周的产妇,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:胰岛素治疗能够有效控制妊娠期糖尿病产妇的血糖水平,改善妊娠结局,早期干预效果较好。     

Circadian variations of plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone and electrolyte concentrations in plasma in pregnant and non-pregnant goats

The aim of this study was to estimate and analyse circadian variations of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAA) activity in blood of goats and the influence of late pregnancy on the circadian variations of RAA system. The study was carried out on a group of 17 non-pregnant and 9 pregnant goats. The animals were kept in uniform environmental conditions, (9 h light/15 h darkness). Blood samples were collected seven times over a period of 24 h, every 4 h. Plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA), sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were determined. PRA and PA of both groups changed during 24 h, with the highest values in the dark phase and with higher RAA system activity (especially during the night) in the pregnant goats. In the non-pregnant goats, no circadian changes in PRA and PA were observed. The circadian changes in PRA and PA found in pregnant goats had acrophases at 06:27 h and 01:13 h, respectively. Plasma electrolyte concentrations in both groups of goats also changed during 24 h. These results suggest that circadian changes of potassium concentration in plasma of goats during late pregnancy may be one of the main factors affecting the RAA system.     

孕妇UtA与胎儿UmA和MCA测量在胎儿宫内窘迫诊断中的价值

目的:探讨胎儿大脑中动脉(Middle cerebral artery,MCA)与脐动脉(umbilical artery,UmA)和孕妇子宫动脉(uterine artery,UtA)测量诊断胎儿宫内窘迫的临床价值。方法:将我院自2017年1月至2019年1月间收治的孕晚期发生胎儿宫内窘迫的孕妇80例作为研究组,选择同期入院各项指标正常的健康孕妇78例作为对照组,对比观察两组胎儿MCA与UmA和孕妇UtA预测胎儿窘迫的价值及胎儿MCA与UmA与新生儿Apgar评分的相关性。结果:研究组孕妇UtA血流参数脐血流搏动指数(pulsatility index,PI)、脐血流阻力指数(resistance index,RI)和收缩/舒张比(systole/diastole ratios,S/D)指标水平均明显高于对照组,研究组胎儿MCA血流参数PI、S/D均明显低于对照组,研究组患儿UmA的血流参数PI和S/D高于对照组(P<0.05),RI比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);研究组新生儿Apgar评分≤7分的比例为40.00%,明显高于对照组15.38%。研究组UmA-PI、UmA-RI和UmA-S/D随着Apgar评分的降低呈现升高的趋势,MCA-PI、MCA-S/D和MCA-S/D随着Apgar评分的降低呈现逐渐减低的趋势。UtA血流参数联合MCA血流参数诊断胎儿宫内窘迫的敏感度为97.50%,特异性为96.25%,均明显高于各项参数单独诊断在的敏感度和特异性(P<0.05)。结论:临床可利用孕晚期孕妇UtA、胎儿UmA和MCA的血流动力学参数改变来预测胎儿宫内窘迫发生的几率,根据胎儿UmA和MCA的血流指标随着Apgar评分的变化趋势,可指导临床早期干预,降低胎儿出生缺陷和死亡率,临床价值较高,可推广使用。     

小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术在胎儿中枢神经系统畸形筛查中的临床应用价值

摘要 目的：探究小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术在胎儿中枢神经系统（CNS）畸形筛查中的临床应用价值。方法：选择2018年1月-2021年1月于本院进行规范化妊娠早期超声结构筛查的1092例11-13+6周单胎妊娠孕妇,所有孕妇均进行常规超声和小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术的检查,并对其妊娠过程和结果进行随访。结果：1092例胎儿产后病理或超声检查显示,胎儿CNS畸形共计19例,发生率为1.74％（19/1092）。其中,露脑畸形8例,无脑畸形5例,前脑无裂畸形3例,脑膜膨出2例,脊柱裂1例。基于小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术对胎儿CNS畸形检出的符合率94.74%（18/19）显著高于常规超声63.16%（12/19）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;且基于小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术检出胎儿CNS畸形的准确性、敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值均显著高于常规超声,差异均均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：小波阈值降噪的超声多普勒技术对妊娠早期孕妇进行规范化结构筛查更有助于及早发现胎儿CNS畸形,对降低畸形胎儿的出生率以及指导临床治疗方案的选择具有重要指导意义。     

大连地区孕前期及孕早期妇女TORCH检测结果分析

目的 通过化学发光分析法对大连市妇幼保健院就诊的2 293例孕前和孕早期妇女TORCH检测结果进行分析,统计得出其感染的阳性率,为本地区育龄期妇女保健提供参考依据,加强TORCH对孕产妇影响的认识,并指导做好预防工作。方法 采用化学发光免疫分析法（CLIA)对2 293例孕前期及孕早期妇女进行巨细胞病毒（CMV）、单纯疱疹（HSV）、风疹（RV）、弓形虫（TOX）的IgG以及IgM进行检测。结果 IgG抗体检测结果：TOX阳性率为1.25%,CMV阳性率为95.04%,RV阳性率为84.78%,HSV阳性率为94.31%。IgM抗体检测结果：TOX阳性率为1.39%,CMV阳性率为1.48%,RV阳性率为2.28%,HSV阳性率为10.50%。结论 大连地区孕前期及孕早期妇女TORCH的阳性率偏高,TORCH的感染影响人口的质量,与优生优育有着重要的关系,要积极做好检测和预防,及早的干预和治疗。     

妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能的筛查情况及相关影响因素分析

摘要 目的：了解妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能的筛查情况及相关影响因素。方法：以2016年1月~2017年1月在我院接受产前检查的400例孕妇为研究对象,其中早期妊娠78例、中期妊娠146例、晚期妊娠176例,同期健康体检合格妇女120例为对照组。比较妊娠妇女和对照组促甲状腺激素（TSH）、游离T3（FT3）及游离T4（FT4）水平,并分析妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常者妊娠不良结局发生情况,并分析妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常的影响因素。结果：400例孕妇中,亚临床甲减62例、临床甲减5例、亚临床甲亢16例、临床甲亢2例,甲状腺疾病合计85例。孕早期TSH低于孕中期及孕晚期,FT3浓度高于孕中期及孕晚期,FT4浓度高于孕中期及孕晚期,孕中期及孕晚期TSH水平高于对照组,孕中期及孕晚期FT3、FT4浓度低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。不同年龄、流产次数、碘摄入量、吸烟组妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常率差异比较有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析,年龄≥30岁、流产次数≥2次、碘摄入量≥150 μg/d为妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常发生的独立危险因素。妊娠合并甲状腺功能异常组妊娠不良结局合计率高于妊娠合并甲状腺功能正常组（P<0.05）。结论：加强对妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能的筛查和高危因素的管理能够预防不良妊娠结局,达到优生优育。