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Vitamin D3 (Vit D3) and 25(OH)D3 are used as dietary sources of active vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) in pig husbandry. Although acting primarily on intestine, kidney and bone, their use in pig nutrition has shown a wide range of effects also in peripheral tissues. However, there is an ambiguity in the existing literature about whether the effects of Vit D3 and 25(OH)D3 differ in attributing the molecular and phenotypic outcomes in pigs. We searched Web of Science and PubMed databases concerning the efficacy of Vit D3 in comparison with 25(OH)D3 on pig physiology, i.e. reproductive capacities, growth performance, immunity and bone development. Dietary intake of Vit D3 or 25(OH)D3 did not influence the reproductive capacity of sows. Unlike Vit D3, the maternal intake of 25(OH)D3 significantly improved the growth performance of piglets, which might be attributed to maternally induced micronutrient efficiency. Consequently, even in the absence of maternal vitamin D supplementation, 25(OH)D3-fed offspring also demonstrated better growth than the offspring received Vit D3. Moreover, a similar superior impact of 25(OH)D3 was seen with respect to serum markers of innate and humoral immunity. Last but not least, supplements containing 25(OH)D3 were found to be more effective than Vit D3 to improve bone mineralisation and formation, especially in pigs receiving basal diets low in Ca and phosphorus. The insights are of particular value in determining the principal dietary source of vitamin D to achieve its optimum utilisation efficiency, nutritional benefits and therapeutic potency and to further improve animal welfare across different management types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists is the property of Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present case series evaluated the potential benefits of a flapless approach in the regenerative treatment of residual deep intrabony defects. In each of 11 patients, one periodontal defect with an intrabony component of ≥ 3 mm was treated regeneratively using enamel matrix derivative combined with a closed surgical technique. Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. All defects experienced favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes at the 24-month follow-up. When considering only sites located in the anterior region, all experienced complete pocket closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, lactose-free infant formulas have been increasingly used. Digestible maltodextrins are commonly used as a substitute for lactose in these formulas, but the effects on energy metabolism are unknown.Objective: We aimed to evaluate the differences in energy metabolism and substrate oxidation in piglets fed milk replacers containing lactose compared with maltodextrin as the only source of carbohydrates.Methods: Piglets (Tempo × Topigs 20) from 8 litters were fed milk replacers containing lactose or maltodextrin (28% w/w, milk powder basis) from 1 to 9 wk of age (n =  4 litters/milk replacer). At 5 wk of age, 4 females and 4 entire males (mean ± SEM bodyweight, 10 ± 0.3 kg) were selected per litter, and housed in 16 groups of 4 littermates, with 2 females and 2 males per pen (n = 8 groups/milk replacer). Between 7 and 9 wk of age, groups were housed for 72 h in climate respiration chambers, and fed their experimental milk replacer in 2 meals per day, at 08:30 and 16:30. Heat production data were calculated from the continuous measurement of gaseous exchanges and analyzed using general linear models in SAS.Results: Resting metabolic rate was 6% less in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets, notably before the morning meal. The postprandial respiratory quotient was 13% greater in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets after both meals. Net rates of carbohydrate oxidation were on average 5% greater in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets, particularly after the afternoon meal, whereas net rates of fat oxidation were 9% less in maltodextrin- than in lactose-fed piglets, particularly after the morning meal.Conclusions: Compared with lactose, maltodextrin in milk replacers reduced resting metabolic rate in the fasting state, and induced a shift in postprandial substrate oxidation profiles in pigs. Further research is warranted to evaluate the consequences of these metabolic changes for body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flow-controlled ventilation is a novel ventilation method which allows to individualize ventilation according to dynamic lung mechanic limits based on direct tracheal pressure measurement at a stable constant gas flow during inspiration and expiration. The aim of this porcine study was to compare individualized flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) and current guideline-conform pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) in long-term ventilation.Methods: Anesthetized pigs were ventilated with either FCV or PCV over a period of 10 h with a fixed FiO2 of 0.3. FCV settings were individualized by compliance-guided positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and peak pressure (Ppeak) titration. Flow was adjusted to maintain normocapnia and the inspiration to expiration ratio (I:E ratio) was set at 1:1. PCV was performed with a PEEP of 5 cm H2O and Ppeak was set to achieve a tidal volume (VT) of 7 ml/kg. The respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain normocapnia and the I:E ratio was set at 1:1.5. Repeated measurements during observation period were assessed by linear mixed-effects model.Results: In FCV (n = 6), respiratory minute volume was significantly reduced (6.0 vs 12.7, MD - 6.8 (- 8.2 to - 5.4) l/min; p < 0.001) as compared to PCV (n = 6). Oxygenation was improved in the FCV group (paO2 119.8 vs 96.6, MD 23.2 (9.0 to 37.5) Torr; 15.97 vs 12.87, MD 3.10 (1.19 to 5.00) kPa; p = 0.010) and CO2 removal was more efficient (paCO2 40.1 vs 44.9, MD - 4.7 (- 7.4 to - 2.0) Torr; 5.35 vs 5.98, MD - 0.63 (- 0.99 to - 0.27) kPa; p = 0.006). Ppeak and driving pressure were comparable in both groups, whereas PEEP was significantly lower in FCV (p = 0.002). Computed tomography revealed a significant reduction in non-aerated lung tissue in individualized FCV (p = 0.026) and no significant difference in overdistended lung tissue, although a significantly higher VT was applied (8.2 vs 7.6, MD 0.7 (0.2 to 1.2) ml/kg; p = 0.025).Conclusion: Our long-term ventilation study demonstrates the applicability of a compliance-guided individualization of FCV settings, which resulted in significantly improved gas exchange and lung tissue aeration without signs of overinflation as compared to best clinical practice PCV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic selection for increased sow prolificacy has resulted in decreased mean piglet birth weight. This study aimed to investigate the effect of l-carnitine (CAR) supplementation to sows during gestation and/or lactation on sow productivity, semitendinosus muscle (STM) maturity and lifetime growth in progeny. Sixty-four sows were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments at breeding until weaning: CONTROL (0 mg CAR/d), GEST (125 mg CAR/d during gestation), LACT (250 mg CAR/d during lactation) and BOTH (125 mg CAR/d during gestation and 250 mg CAR/d during lactation). The total number of piglets born per litter was greater for sows supplemented with CAR during gestation (17·3 v. 15·8 (sem 0·52); P < 0·05). Piglet birth weight (total and live) was unaffected by sow treatment (P > 0·05). Total myofibre number (P = 0·08) and the expression level of selected myosin heavy chain genes in the STM (P < 0·05) were greater in piglets of sows supplemented with CAR during gestation. Pigs from sows supplemented with CAR during gestation had lighter carcasses at slaughter than pigs from non-supplemented sows during gestation (83·8 v. 86·7 (sem 0·86) kg; P < 0·05). In conclusion, CAR supplementation during gestation increased litter size at birth without compromising piglet birth weight. Results also showed that the STM of piglets born to sows supplemented with CAR during gestation was more developed at birth. However, carcass weight at slaughter was reduced in progeny of sows supplemented with CAR during gestation. The CAR supplementation strategy applied during gestation in this study could be utilised by commercial pork producers to increase sow litter size and improve offspring muscle development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary calcium and phosphorus are required for bone and muscle development. Deficiencies of these macrominerals reduce bone mineral and muscle accretion potentially via alterations of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and satellite cell (SC) activities.Objectives: With increasing interest in the role of early-life events on lifetime health outcomes, we aimed to elucidate the impact of dietary calcium and phosphorus, from deficiency through excess, on MSC and SC characteristics during neonatal development.Methods: Neonatal pigs [30 females, 1-d-old, 1.46 ± 0.04 kg body weight (BW)] were fed milk replacers for 16 d that were isonitrogenous and isocaloric with a consistent ratio of calcium to phosphorus, but either 25% deficient (calcium: 0.78%; phosphorus: 0.60%; CaPD), adequate (calcium: 1.08%; phosphorus: 0.84%; CaPA), or 25% in excess (calcium: 1.38%; phosphorus: 1.08%; CaPE) of calcium and phosphorus requirements based on sow-milk composition and extrapolation from NRC requirements for older pigs. BW and feed intake were recorded daily. Blood was collected for serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) determination. Humeri were collected for MSC isolation and radii/ulnae bone were collected for analysis. Longissimus dorsi muscle was collected for SC isolation and analysis.Results: There was 4.6% increase in bone ash percentage in CaPE- versus CaPD-fed pigs (P < 0.05). In vivo proliferation indicated a 41.3% increase in MSCs in CaPA compared with CaPD and a 19% increase in SCs in CaPA compared with both CaPE and CaPD. MSCs from CaPD had 2- to 5-fold greater expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) but lower osteocalcin (BGLAP) and fibronectin (FN1) expression than CaPA (P < 0.05). SCs from CaPD-fed pigs had 19% lower in vivo proliferation than in CaPA-fed pigs.Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that feeding a diet marginally deficient in calcium and phosphorus to neonatal pigs had a great impact on bone development, MSC, and SC characteristics. These dietary deficiencies may program future bone health and muscle development by altering MSC and SC activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postweaning mortality is extremely complex with a multitude of noninfectious and infectious contributing factors. In the current review, our objective is to describe the current state of knowledge regarding infectious causes of postweaning mortality, focusing on estimates of frequency and magnitude of effect where available. While infectious mortality is often categorized by physiologic body system affected, we believe the complex multifactorial nature is better understood by an alternative stratification dependent on intervention type. This category method subjectively combines disease pathogenesis knowledge, epidemiology, and economic consequences. These intervention categories included depopulation of affected cohorts of animals, elimination protocols using knowledge of immunity and epidemiology, or less aggressive interventions. The most aggressive approach to control infectious etiologies is through herd depopulation and repopulation. Historically, these protocols were successful for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and swine dysentery among others. Additionally, this aggressive measure likely would be used to minimize disease spread if either a foreign animal disease was introduced or pseudorabies virus was reintroduced into domestic swine populations. Elimination practices have been successful for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae , porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, coronaviruses, including transmissible gastroenteritis virus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, and porcine deltacoronavirus, swine influenza virus, nondysentery Brachyspira spp. and others. Porcine circovirus type 2 can have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality; however, it is often adequately controlled through immunization. Many other infectious etiologies present in swine production have not elicited these aggressive control measures. This may be because less aggressive control measures, such as vaccination, management, and therapeutics, are effective, their impact on mortality or productivity is not great enough to warrant, or there is inadequate understanding to employ control procedures efficaciously and efficiently. Since there are many infectious agents and noninfectious contributors, emphasis should continue to be placed on those infectious agents with the greatest impact to minimize postweaning mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compensatory growth induced by lysine (Lys) restriction in grow-finish pigs is a complex physiological process affected by many factors and interactions, principally genotype, stage of growth at restriction, nature of nutritional restriction, and patterns of restriction and recovery. The scarcity of standard comparisons across the literature has hindered the characterization of important determinants of compensatory growth. Therefore, the present publication aims to review the current state of knowledge on compensatory growth induced by Lys restriction in grow-finish pigs, develop a database from peer-reviewed literature to standardize comparisons to characterize the occurrence of compensatory growth, and provide practical considerations for compensatory growth under field conditions. The literature search focused on publications directly or indirectly evaluating compensatory growth by having a period of Lys restriction followed by a recovery period of Lys sufficiency for grow-finish pigs. The database included 14 publications and 57 comparisons expressed as relative differences of restricted pigs compared to nonrestricted pigs. The database analysis described compensatory growth into complete, incomplete, and no compensatory growth categories and characterized the patterns of restriction and recovery in each category. The review of literature and database analysis supports the occurrence of compensatory growth induced by Lys restriction in grow-finish pigs. The degree of Lys restriction and duration of restriction and recovery periods seem to be critical in explaining differences between complete and incomplete compensatory growth, whereas Lys level in the recovery period seems to be critical between incomplete or no compensatory growth. Compensatory growth seems to be more likely if: 1) the degree of Lys restriction is between 10% and 30%; 2) Lys restriction is induced before pigs reach their maximum protein deposition; 3) duration of Lys restriction is short (maximum 40–45% overall duration) and duration of recovery period is long (minimum 55–60% overall duration); and 4) Lys level in recovery is close to or above the estimated requirements. In addition, compensatory growth can occur under commercial conditions and there seems to be an opportunity to exploit compensatory growth in grow-finish pigs to reduce feed cost and improve feed efficiency under certain market conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of pen location on swine thermoregulation and growth performance were determined over 6 weeks during late summer. A total of 128 mixed sex pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] were randomly assigned to 16 pens in two grow-finish barns (n = 8 pens/barn; 57.43 ± 1.33 kg initial body weight (BW)). Pen locations were determined based on orientation to ventilation fans and air inlets. Internal pens (IP; n = 4/barn) were in direct line of sight between the fans and air inlets while peripheral pens (PP; n = 4/barn) were located 0.70 ± 0.29 m to either side of a fan. Two sentinel gilts per pen were selected and vaginal temperature (TV) was measured in 10-min intervals using TV data loggers. Additionally, trunk skin temperature (TS) was measured with an infrared camera and respiration rate (RR) was measured by counting flank movements of the sentinel gilts twice daily (0800 and 1500 hours). Pen airspeed was measured twice daily (0800 and 1500 hours) at pig level with an anemometer. Individual pen ambient temperature (TA) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded daily in 10-min intervals. Feed consumption and BW were determined every 2 weeks. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. Although airspeed was reduced overall (P = 0.01; 11%) in PP compared with IP, no differences (P > 0.10) in TA (27.53 ± 1.73 °C) or RH (68.47 ± 5.92%) were detected. An overall increase (P ≤ 0.02) in TV (0.23 °C), minimum TV (0.18 °C), and maximum TV (0.29 °C) was detected in PP versus IP housed pigs. Similarly, from 0800 to 1900 hours and 2000 to 0700 hours, TV was greater overall (P ≤ 0.01; 0.22 and 0.25 °C, respectively) in PP compared with IP housed pigs. An overall decrease in TS (P = 0.04) was observed in PP (37.39 ± 0.14 °C) compared with IP (37.61 ± 0.14 °C) housed pigs. No RR differences (P > 0.10; 76 ± 4 breaths per minute) were detected with any comparison. While no average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) differences were detected (P > 0.10; 0.74 ± 0.03 kg/d and 2.26 ± 0.08 kg/d, respectively), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) was decreased (P = 0.02; 6%) in PP compared with IP housed pigs. In summary, pigs located in PP had greater body temperature and reduced G:F despite similarities in TA and RH between all pens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient management of swine production systems requires understanding of complex reproductive physiological mechanisms. Our objective in this study was to investigate potential causal biological relationships between reproductive performance traits in high-producing gilts and sows. Data originated from a nutrition experiment and consisted of 200 sows and 440 gilts arranged in body weight blocks and randomly assigned to dietary treatments during late gestation at a commercial swine farm. Reproductive performance traits consisted of weight gain during late gestation, total number born and number born alive in a litter, born alive average birth weight, wean-to-estrous interval, and total litter size born in the subsequent farrowing. Structural equation models combined with the inductive causation algorithm, both adapted to a hierarchical Bayesian framework, were employed to search for, estimate, and infer upon causal links between the traits within each parity group. Results indicated potentially distinct reproductive networks for gilts and for sows. Sows showed sparse connectivity between reproductive traits, whereas the network learned for gilts was densely interconnected, suggesting closely linked physiological mechanisms in younger females, with a potential for ripple effects throughout their productive lifecycle in response to early implementation of tailored managerial interventions. Cross-validation analyses indicated substantial network stability both for the general structure and for individual links, though results about directionality of such links were unstable in this study and will need further investigation. An assessment of relative statistical power in sows and gilts indicated that the observed network discrepancies may be partially explained on a biological basis. In summary, our results suggest distinctly heterogeneous mechanistic networks of reproductive physiology for gilts and sows, consistent with physiological differences between the groups. These findings have potential practical implications for integrated understanding and differential management of gilts and sows to enhance efficiency of swine production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion expression plays a crucial role for regulating social interactions. One efficient channel for emotion communication is the vocal-auditory channel, which enables a fast transmission of information. Filter-related parameters (formants) have been suggested as a key to the vocal differentiation of emotional valence (positive versus negative) across species, but variation in relation to emotions has rarely been investigated. Here, whether pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) closed-mouth grunts differ in source- and filter-related features when produced in situations assumed to be positive and negative is investigated. Behavioral and physiological parameters were used to validate the animals' emotional state (both in terms of valence and arousal, i.e., bodily activation). Results revealed that grunts produced in a positive situation were characterized by higher formants, a narrower range of the third formant, a shorter duration, a lower fundamental frequency, and a lower harmonicity compared to negative grunts. Particularly, formant-related parameters and duration made up most of the difference between positive and negative grunts. Therefore, these parameters have the potential to encode dynamic information and to vary as a function of the emotional valence of the emitter in pigs, and possibly in other mammals as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The study was carried to determine the interaction effects of pen enrichment and sex on behavioral activities, skin lesions and physiology of Windsnyer pigs. Methods: Forty-eight growing Windsnyer pigs of both sex, with an average initial body weight of 21.6 (±9.01) kg were used. Four pigs were randomly assigned to either enriched or barren pens at a stocking density of 0.35 m2/pig. Enriched pens contained 2 L bottles filled with stones and suspended at head level on ropes stretching across the pens. In addition, two plastic balls (90 mm in diameter) and 500 mL bottles (235 mm long) were placed on the floor of each enriched pen. Results: Pigs in barren environments had higher heart rates (p<0.001) than those in enriched pens. There was an interaction of pen environment and sex on rectal temperature (p<0.001). Females in enriched pens had higher rectal temperatures (p<0.05) than females in barren pens. There was no interaction of pen environment and sex on time spent eating and drinking (p>0.05). Time spent bullying was influenced (p<0.05) by pen environment and sex. Female pigs in barren environment spent more time on bullying than females in enriched pens. There was an interaction of pen environment and sex on time spent lying down and walking (p<0.05). Female pigs in enriched pens spent more time lying down than females in barren pens. Males in barren pens spent more time walking than males in enriched pens while no effect of pen environment was observed in females. There was an interaction of pen environment and sex on the number of skin lesions in the head, neck and shoulder region and other parts of the body (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that pen enrichment reduced the number of skin lesions and anti-social behaviors, especially for female pigs. There is a need, therefore of housing indigenous pigs under confinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to measure the effects of orally administered glutamate (Glu) on suckling piglet (SP) intestinal morphology and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Forty‐eight newborn piglets with similar initial weights (1.55 ± 0.20 kg) were selected from six sows (eight piglets/sow) and randomly assigned into four groups. There was daily administration of the following: 0.18 g/kg body weight (BW) of sodium chloride (CN group); 0.06 g/kg BW monosodium glutamate (LMG group); 0.50 g/kg BW monosodium glutamate (MMG group); and 1.00 g/kg BW monosodium glutamate (HMG group). Four piglets (one/group) were randomly selected from each sow for tissue sampling at days 7 and 21. MMG group jejunal villus height and crypt depth significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the CN group as of days 7 and 21. HMG group jejunal villus height and crypt depth reduced (p < 0.05) compared to the MMG group. LMG group jejunum goblet cell count was greater (p < 0.05) than that of the MMG or HMG groups. MMG and HMG group ileal villus height was greater (p < 0.05) than either CN or LMG groups as of day 7. HMG ileal crypt depth decreased (p < 0.05) compared to LMG and MMG groups. The MMG group had greater (p < 0.05) acetic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid and pentanoic acid contents in their caecum than the other groups as of day 21. It also had greater acetic acid, propanoic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid and isopentanoic acid contents in the colon than the other groups on day 21. No significant VFA content differences in the caecum or the colon were observed among groups on day 7. These results indicated that oral administration with monosodium glutamate (MSG) at 0.50 g/kg BW/day improved SP intestinal morphology and increased caecal and colonal VFA contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The search for substitutes for antibiotics has recently become urgent. In our previous work, dietary α‐ketoglutarate (AKG) combined with allicin improved growth performance and enhanced immunity in growing pigs, whereas the effects on them of intestinal microbiota were unclear. Here, we further investigate the effects of dietary AKG and allicin supplementation on the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota in growing pigs. RESULTS: Treatment with a combination of AKG and allicin enhanced cecal bacteria richness and diversity, as evidenced by changes in Chao 1, ACE, Shannon, and Simpson values when compared to the control group and antibiotics group. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the two most abundant phyla. Treatment with a combination of AKG and allicin increased the numbers of Firmicutes and reduced the numbers of Bacteroidetes. Prevotella was the most abundant genus; it was increased by treatment with a combination of AKG and allicin. Furthermore, compared with the antibiotic group, the level of acetate was increased in the AKG group with or without allicin. Treatment with a combination of AKG and allicin increased the levels of cecal butyrate and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) when compared with the control group in growing pigs. CONCLUSION: Dietary 1.0% AKG combined with 0.5% allicin improved cecal microbial composition and diversity, which might further promote VFA metabolism in growing pigs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of duration of energy delivery on adverse events (AEs) and heat sink effects during high power microwave ablation (MWA) of normal swine lung. Materials and methods: High power (100 W) MWA was performed with short (2 min, 18 ablations) or long (10 min, nine ablations) duration of energy delivery in unilateral lung of swine (n = 10). CT imaging was done prior to sacrifice at 2 or 28 d post-treatment, with additional imaging at 7 and 14 d for the latter cohort. Ablation zones were assessed with CT imaging and histopathology analysis. Differences in AEs and ablation characteristics between groups were compared with Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t-test, respectively. Results: There were no significant differences in formation of air-filled needle tract, cavitation, and pneumonia (p > 0.5) between the treatment groups. Intra-procedural pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement occurred in three animals. Substantial (>20%, p = 0.01) intra-procedural ablation zone distortion was observed in both groups. The presence of large airways or blood vessels did not result in heat sink effect within the ablation zones and was not indicative of reduced ablation size. Increased energy delivery yielded larger (8.9 ± 3.1 cm3 vs. 3.4 ± 1.7 cm3, p < 0.001) spherical ablations (sphericity: 0.70 ± 0.10 vs. 0.56 ± 0.13, p = 0.01). Conclusions: High power MWA of normal lung with longer duration of energy delivery can create larger spherical ablations, without significant differences in post-procedure AEs when compared with shorter energy delivery time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-Glutamate (Glu) has traditionally not been considered as a nutrient needed in diets for humans and other animals (including swine) due to the unsubstantiated assumption that animals can synthesize sufficient amounts of Glu to meet their needs. The lack of knowledge about Glu nutrition has contributed to suboptimal efficiency of global livestock production. Over the past 25 years, there has been growing interest in Glu metabolism in the pig, which is an agriculturally important species and also a useful model for studying human biology. Because of analytical advances in its analysis, Glu is now known to be a highly abundant free amino acid in milk and intracellular fluid, a major constituent of food and tissue proteins, and a key regulator of gene expression, cell signaling, and anti-oxidative reactions. Emerging evidence shows that dietary supplementation with 2% Glu maintains gut health and prevents intestinal dysfunction in weanling piglets, while enhancing their growth performance and survival. In addition, the inclusion of 2% Glu is required for dietary arginine to maximize the growth performance and feed efficiency in growing pigs, whereas dietary supplementation with 2% Glu reduces the loss of skeletal muscle mass in endotoxin-challenged pigs. Furthermore, supplementing 2% Glu to a corn- and soybean-meal-based diet promotes milk production by lactating sows. Thus, an adequate amount of dietary Glu as a quantitatively major nutrient is necessary to support maximum growth, development, and production performance of swine. These results also have important implications for improving the nutrition and health of humans and other animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates are susceptible to intestinal dysfunction. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of LBW neonates is significantly lower compared with that of normal-birth-weight (NBW) neonates both at birth and at weaning. In LBW neonates, dietary supplementation with arginine has shown beneficial effects on intestinal function.Objective: The present study explored the potential mechanisms of arginine-induced protective effects against intestinal dysfunction in LBW piglets.Methods: Forty 4-d-old LBW piglets [body weight (BW): 1.05 ± 0.04 kg] (Large White × Landrace) were assigned to 4 treatments and artificially fed a whole-milk powder- and whey protein concentrate-based diet (containing 0.65% arginine) either not supplemented with arginine (LBWC) or supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% l-arginine for 21 d. In addition, 10 NBW siblings (BW: 1.96 ± 0.03 kg) were selected and fed the basal diet. Growth performance, intestinal morphology, mRNA expression of tight junction protein, redox-sensitive genes and nitric oxide (NO) synthase, cytokines, and redox indexes were determined. Data were subjected to 1-factor ANOVA.Results: LBW piglets exhibited poorer growth performance (29.9%), lower Claudin1 mRNA level (63.6%), lower antioxidant capacity (22.9 ∼ 24.3%), and higher jejunum interleukin 1 (IL-1) concentration (18.8%) compared with NBW piglets. Dietary supplementation with 0.5% and 1.0% l-arginine significantly enhanced daily BW gain of LBW piglets by 13.6% and 18.2%, respectively. Compared with LBWC, dietary supplementation with 1.0% l-arginine increased the serum insulin concentration (32.2%) and villus height in the jejunum (12.2%) and ileum (20.5%). In the jejunum, the mRNA levels for Claudin1 (105%) and glutathione peroxidase (36%) were higher, and the concentrations of IL-1 (31.7%) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (30%) were lower in arginine-treated piglets than in the LBWC group. However, NO synthase activity and NO concentration in the jejunum of LBW piglets were not influenced by l-arginine supplementation.Conclusion: The results suggested that supplementation with 1.0% l-arginine not only promoted growth performance and improved intestinal functions in LBW piglets but also improved intestinal barrier functions and enhanced antioxidant capacity by an NO-independent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Actinidin, a cysteine protease in kiwifruit (KF), increases both the gastric digestion and gastric-emptying rate of beef muscle protein.Objective: This study aimed to determine the relation between the rate of digested nitrogen entering the small intestine (SI; a function of the extent of gastric digestion and gastric-emptying rate) and the disappearance of amino acids (AAs) in different parts of the SI at set times postfeeding.Methods: Male 9-wk-old pigs (n = 90; mean ± SD body weight: 28 ± 2.9 kg) were fed a diet containing 14% beef for 3 d. The beef-based diet was supplemented with green KF pulp (containing actinidin), gold KF pulp supplemented with actinidin, or gold KF pulp alone (no actinidin). The KF or actinidin amounts corresponded to the intake of 2 KFs/human meal. On day 3, pigs were killed at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 7 h postprandially. Stomach chyme was analyzed to determine the rate of digested nitrogen entering the SI. Apparent AA digestibility at set times was determined in the proximal, medial, and distal SI. Polynomial and correlation analyses were conducted.Results: The rate of digested nitrogen entering the SI was higher (P < 0.001) with actinidin (e.g., >44% at 5 h postprandially). Actinidin also increased the apparent AA digestibility at the proximal and medial SI (P ≤ 0.05) at set times (e.g., 42% and 15% greater for arginine, respectively), but not in general for the distal SI (P > 0.05). At the proximal SI, apparent AA digestibility was correlated more strongly with the digested nitrogen entering the SI (r = 0.73, P < 0.001; n = 57) than with gastric emptying (r = 0.64, P < 0.001) or gastric protein digestion (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). Similar trends were observed for the medial SI.Conclusion: The rate of digested nitrogen entering the SI is an accurate predictor of the rate of AA digestibility and the location of AA absorption in the pig SI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this observational study is to identify risk factors associated with body weight (BW) variability in three data sets (DS) in commercial conditions. A total of 1,009 (DS1), 460 (DS2), and 1304 (DS3) male and female crossbreed pigs (Pietrain × [Landrace × Large White]), respectively, were included in each trial. Pigs were periodically weighed until slaughter. Then, variables such as length of gestation, length of lactation, parity, litter size, sex, birth BW, and ADG were considered. Pigs remaining on the farm after two loads to the slaughterhouse were defined as last group of animals sent to slaughterhouse (LGS). Descriptive statistics of variability were calculated, and a risk analysis approach was used to look for the factors related to LGS. A multiple logistic regression was performed to identify all variables that were significant (P < 0.05). The risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR), and population attributable risk (PAR) were calculated for all of the significant variables after transforming all of them into binary factors using the 25th percentile as the cut-off point. Results showed that the major part of the variability (as CV) comes from birth (20% to 25%) and increased only a little during lactation and 14-d post weaning. From this point onwards, CV tended to decrease, as pigs got closer to the marketing weight (down 11.5% to 12.7%). Regarding the indicators selected, RR, OR, and PAR presented similar trends in the three DS studied. Therefore, for the variables finally included, these indicators had their minimum values at the start of the cycle and then gradually increased at the end. Those results, based on an epidemiological approach, suggest that the closer to the end of the cycle the greater the probability for a light piglet of being/becoming LGS. It might be explained by the shorter available time to efficiently implement preventive measures aimed to improve the performance of delayed pigs and, thus, reducing variability. Those results, based on an epidemiological approach, make sense as the probability for a light piglet to be a LGS increases the closer to the end of the cycle, due to the short time to implement preventive measures and increase the performance of delayed pigs and reduce variability. The differential PAR associated with both, the nursery and the growing period, was 1.7% and 1.5% for DS1, 5.1% and 3.1% for DS2, and 3.7% and 2.8% for DS3. For the lactation period, the results were 4.3% for DS2 and 4.5% for DS3. Results suggest that the most critical periods, in relation to retardation of growth in swine, are lactation and nursery. Implementing measures that maintain risk factors under or above thresholds, especially in the initial phases of growth, will reduce the percentage of LGS pigs and positively affect the overall homogeneity of the batch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the immunoexpression of Ki‐67 protein, androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in testicular tissues of male pigs immunocastrated using GnRH vaccine (Improvac™, Zoetis Co., Ltd., Thailand) with different times. Totally, 30 male pigs were classified by castration protocol into three groups: T1 (n = 10) consisted of pigs immunocastrated at 14 and 18 weeks of age, T2 (n = 10) included pigs immunocastrated at 9 and 19 weeks of age, and C (n = 10) contained intact pigs. The results revealed that testicular length of pigs in C was longer than that of both T1 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.5 ± 0.5 cm, p < 0.001) and T2 (8.1 ± 0.76 vs 6.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.007). Spearman correlation coefficients showed negative correlation between testicular length and H‐score of AR (r = −0.38, p = 0.037), as well as positive correlation between testicular length and Ki‐67 index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Generally, mean Ki‐67 index and mean H‐scores of AR and ERβ of pigs in T1 were not different from those in T2 (p > 0.05). However, mean Ki‐67 index and mean AR H‐scores of T1 and T2 were significantly different from C group (p < 0.05). In summary, the immunocastration significantly affected testicular length, including expressions of Ki‐67, AR, and ERβ in pig testes. Moreover, the duration between two shots of GnRH vaccine could be extended from 4 to 10 weeks without difference in Ki‐67 protein, AR, and ERβ immunoexpressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) has been recommended by the FAO for the evaluation of protein quality in human foods, but the application of DIAAS is currently limited because of a lack of published data on the true ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of AAs in foods. The importance of DIAAS is highlighted. To calculate DIAAS, it is necessary to determine the true ileal AA digestibility of human foods using the growing pig as an animal model for the human based on previous FAO recommendations. A method is described in detail in Supplemental Methods to determine the true ileal AA digestibility of foods for humans using the pig as a model for the adult human. Adoption of the method will enable consistency in the development of databases on predicted true ileal AA digestibility in human foods for the calculation of DIAAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents: In the past 30 years, sows have been successfully selected for a shorter weaning‐to‐oestrus interval and increased litter size. This review discusses the consequences of this selection for the reproductive physiology of sows, including the consequences for litter characteristics at birth. It also discusses breeding and management opportunities to deal with this changed genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lowering the CP level in piglet diets reduces the risk of postweaning diarrhea and N excretion to the environment. The question remains at what point CP becomes limiting. An experiment was designed with 2 standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys levels (10 and 11 g) and 6 CP levels (140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 g/kg) in a 2 × 6 factorial design (with 6 pens of 6 animals each per treatment). Linear and quadratic (QP) mixed models of performance in function of CP were fitted to study the effect of SID Lys and CP and their interaction. To determine optima, QP models and broken line models with linear (BLL) or quadratic (BLQ) ascending portions were fitted through the data. It was hypothesized 1) that the response to a decreasing digestible CP level could be described with broken line models and 2) that the break point of these models is dependent on the dietary SID Lys level. Decreasing the CP level decreased ADG (P < 0.001). For G:F, the effect of decreasing CP level depended on the SID Lys level (P of the interaction = 0.028 in the linear model and P = 0.002 in the QP model). According to the BLL model, with 11 g SID Lys in the diet, G:F started to decline with CP levels < 176 g CP [SID Lys:CP = 0.062, SID Lys:apparent total tract digestible (ATTD) CP = 0.077], and with 10 g SID Lys, CP levels < 165 g/kg (SID Lys:CP = 0.061, SID Lys:ATTD CP = 0.075) depressed performance. Serum creatinine levels showed a linear decrease with increasing SID Lys:CP levels (P < 0.001). Across both SID Lys levels, when fitting a BLL model, minimal serum urea levels were reached at an SID Lys:CP ratio of 0.064. This seems to be the point where CP and not Lys limits muscle deposition. The small difference in break point between serum urea level and performance suggests that the composition of nonessential AA may also be at stake. The effect of decreasing CP level depends on SID Lys, and using a maximal SID Lys:CP ratio may be useful for optimizing the AA profile of dietary CP. When the SID Lys:CP ratio exceeds 0.064 (SID Lys:ATTD CP > 0.079), protein and not individual AA limits growth in most piglets between 4 and 9 wk of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increasing concerns about the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in livestock production and their complete ban in the European Union in 2006, suitable alternatives are urgently needed. Among others, anti-inflammatory activities of AGP are discussed as their putative mode of action. As numerous phytochemicals are known to modulate the cellular antioxidant capacity and immune response, we studied the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of a phytogenic (plant-derived) feed additive (PFA) in intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). The effects of the PFA were compared with those of selected phytogenic ingredients (grape seed extract [GRS], licorice extract [LIC], menthol [MENT], methyl salicylate [MES], oak bark extract [OAK], oregano essential oil [ORE], and a plant powder mix [PLA]), and with the effects of the AGP tylosin (TYL). Oxidative or inflammatory stress was induced by stimulating IPEC-J2 with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 0.5 mM) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α; 10 ng/mL), respectively. The antioxidative effects of feed additives were assessed with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive probe and by measuring the expression of 6 antioxidative target genes via quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Anti-inflammatory potential was analyzed using a nuclear factor kappa- light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF- κB) reporter gene assay. Moreover, the expression levels of 6 NF-κB target genes were measured using RT-qPCR analysis, and the release of IL-6 was analyzed via ELISA. Significant decreases in cellular ROS upon H2O2 treatment were observed for the PFA (P < 0.001), LIC (P < 0.001), ORE (P < 0.05), and GRS (P < 0.01). No significant changes in the expression of antioxidative genes were found. NF-κB activation upon TNF-α treatment was significantly inhibited by the PFA (P < 0.05) and by ORE (P < 0.001). Moreover, the PFA and ORE significantly reduced the gene expression of IL-6 (P < 0.001), IL-8 (P < 0.001), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2; P < 0.05), as well as the release of IL-6 (P < 0.05). The other phytogenic compounds as well as the AGP TYL did not significantly affect any of the inflammatory parameters. In summary, we revealed the antioxidative properties of the PFA, LIC, ORE, and GRS, as well as anti-inflammatory properties of the PFA and ORE in IPEC-J2, providing a better understanding of the mode of action of this PFA under our experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results from heat stress (HS) and bacterial infection, both of which are associated with reduced female fertility. Specific effects of low-level, repeated LPS exposure on the ovary are unclear, as many studies utilize a bolus model and/or high dosage paradigm. To better understand the effects of chronic LPS exposure on ovarian signaling and function, post-pubertal gilts (n = 20) were orally administered altrenogest for 14 d to synchronize the beginning of the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. For 5 d after synchronization, gilts (163 ± 3 kg) received IV administration of LPS (0.1 μg/kg BW, n = 10) or saline (CT, n = 10) 4× daily. Blood samples were obtained on days 1, 3, and 5 of LPS treatment. Follicular fluid was aspirated from dominant follicles on day 5, and whole ovarian homogenate was used for transcript and protein abundance analysis via quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. There were no treatment differences detected in rectal temperature on any day (P ≥ 0.5). Administering LPS increased plasma insulin (P < 0.01), LPS-binding protein (LBP; P < 0.01), and glucose (P = 0.08) on day 1, but no treatment differences thereafter were observed (P = 0.66). There were no treatment differences in follicular fluid concentration of LBP or 17β-estradiol (P = 0.42). Gilts treated with LPS had increased abundance of ovarian TLR4 protein (P = 0.01), but protein kinase B (AKT) and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) were unchanged and no effect of LPS on components of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway were observed. There was no impact of LPS on ovarian abundance of STAR or CYP19A1, nor ESR1, LDLR, CYP19A1, CYP17A1, or 3BHSD. In conclusion, repeated, low-level LPS administration alters inflammatory but not steroidogenic or PI3K signaling in follicular phase gilt ovaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feet and legs of replacement females were objectively evaluated at selection, i.e., approximately 150 d of age (n = 319) and post first parity, i.e., any time after weaning of first litter and before second parturition (n = 277) to 1) compare feet and leg joint angle ranges between selection and post first parity; 2) identify feet and leg joint angle differences between selection and first 3 wk of second gestation; 3) identify feet and leg joint angle differences between farms and gestation days during second gestation; and 4) obtain genetic variance components for conformation angles for the two time points measured. Angles for carpal joint (knee), metacarpophalangeal joint (front pastern), metatarsophalangeal joint (rear pastern), tarsal joint (hock), and rear stance were measured using image analysis software. Between selection and post first parity, significant differences were observed for all joints measured (P < 0.05). Knee, front and rear pastern angles were less (more flexion), and hock angles were greater (less flexion) as age progressed (P < 0.05), while the rear stance pattern was less (feet further under center) at selection than post first parity (only including measures during first 3 wk of second gestation). Only using post first parity leg conformation information, farm was a significant source of variation for front and rear pasterns and rear stance angle measurements (P < 0.05). Knee angle was less (more flexion; P < 0.05) as gestation age progressed. Heritability estimates were low to moderate (0.04-0.35) for all traits measured across time points. Genetic correlations between the same joints at different time points were high (>0.8) between the front leg joints and low (<0.2) between the rear leg joints. High genetic correlations between time points indicate that the trait can be considered the same at either time point, and low genetic correlations indicate that the trait at different time points should be considered as two separate traits. Minimal change in the front leg suggests conformation traits that remain between selection and post first parity, while larger changes in rear leg indicate that rear leg conformation traits should be evaluated at multiple time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of mucosa proteomes was performed using a twodimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry to determine the effect of dietary level of inulin on protein expression patterns in the ileum. The experiment was carried out on 24 castrated male piglets, allocated to three groups, fed from the day 10 of life an unsupplemented diet (C) or diet supplemented with 1% (T1) or 3% (T2) of native chicory inulin. Samples of ileal tissue and blood were collected after 40 days of feeding. Comparative proteomic analysis of the T1 group showed 10 protein spots with a decreased expression, whereas the T2 diet caused overexpression of 24 spots in comparison to the C diet. Inulin levels differed in their effects on the expression of ileal proteins involved in intracellular molecular mechanisms controlling cell division and growth. The T1 diet down-regulated, whereas the T2 diet induced substantial up-regulation of proteins engaged in transcriptional and translational activities, folding and posttranslational modifications, which may indicate stimulation of epithelial cell proliferation. Inulin did not affect plasma levels of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron in piglets but improved plasma prooxidant-antioxidant balance in animals fed the T2 diet. The results of this study might be considered as preliminary since further confirmation using more sophisticated quantitative proteomic tools is required to better understand and answer the unresolved issues concerning the mechanism underlying the inulin effect on the ileum in growing pigs. Nevertheless, a general insight into how inulin molecules or their fermentation end-products may induce changes in protein expression patterns in the ileum was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) level on the expression of jejunal amino acids (AAs) transporters and the microflora in the hindgut of weaned pigs. One hundred and twenty weanling pigs weighing 8.10 ± 0.48 kg were randomly assigned according to body weight and sex to 5 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 4 pigs per replicate. Pigs were fed diets with 0.98, 1.11, 1.23, 1.35 or 1.48% of SID Lys for 28 days. The mRNA expression of cationic amino acids transporter 1 (CAT1) in jejunum was higher in groups fed with 1.23, 1.35 and 1.48% SID Lys addition (P < 0.05). There was stated a linear increase in the mRNA expressions of CAT1, excitatory amino acids carrier 1 (EAAC1) and peptide transporter T1 (PEPT1) (linear, P < 0.05). In the caecum, the populations of bacteria and the content of butyric acid were significantly influenced (P < 0.05) by dietary SID Lys. In animals fed diet with 1.35% SID Lys a content of butyric acid was the highest (P < 0.05). Moreover, the populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in caecum and colon increased (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.05) as dietary SID Lys level increased. The obtained results showed that dietary SID Lys level may influence AAs absorption and promote the hindgut health. The suggested supplementation of SID Lys to the weaned pigs' diet is 1.35%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) functions as a molecular chaperone in its interaction with clients to influence multiple cellular and physiological processes. However, our current understanding on Hsp90's relationship with mammalian oocyte maturation is still very limited. Here, we aimed to investigate Hsp90's effect on pig oocyte meiotic maturation. Endogenous Hsp90a was constantly expressed at both mRNA and protein levels in porcine maturing oocytes. Addition of 2 µM 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), the Hsp90 inhibitor, to in vitro mature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) significantly decreased Hsp90a protein level (P < 0.05), delayed germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) (P < 0.05), and impeded the first polar body (PB1) extrusion (P < 0.01) of porcine oocytes. 2 µM 17-AAG treatment during in vitro maturation also decreased the subsequent development competence as indicated by the lower cleavage (P < 0.001) and higher fragmentation (P < 0.001) rates of parthenotes, whereas no effects on the percentage and average cell number of blastocysts were found. Immunodepletion of Hsp90a by antibody microinjection into porcine oocytes at germinal vesicle and metaphase II stages induced similar defects of meiotic maturation and parthenote development, to that resulted from 2 µM inhibitor 17-AAG. For oocytes treated by 2 µM 17-AAG, the cytoplasm and membrane actin levels were weakened (P < 0.01), and the spindle assembly was disturbed (P < 0.05), due to decreased p-ERK1/2 level (P < 0.05). However, the mitochondrial function and early apoptosis were not affected, as demonstrated by rhodamine 123 staining and Annexin V assays. Our findings indicate that Hsp90a can couple with mitogen-activated protein kinase to regulate cytoskeletal structure and orchestrate meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nucleotide‐binding domain, leucine‐rich‐containing family, pyrin‐domain containing‐3 (NLRP3) is an important pattern recognition receptor involved in various inflammatory responses and adjuvant effects upon vaccination. We previously identified the Q969R (A2906G) gain‐of‐function polymorphism in porcine NLRP3, which increased production of interleukin‐1β in in vitro gene transfection experiments. Here, we explored the associations between the A2906G polymorphism and antibody responses after vaccination against bacteria in Large White pigs maintained under specific pathogen‐free conditions. The NLRP3‐2906A/G pigs had a greater antibody response to vaccine antigens than NLRP3‐2906A/A pigs. We observed a significant association of the antibody response against Haemophilus parasuis serotype 2 and 5 with NLRP3 genotypes. As the A2906G polymorphism in NLRP3 is widely distributed in commercial pig breeds, Landrace, Large White and Berkshire pigs, there is potential for improvement in vaccine efficiency and disease resistance using this polymorphism in various pig populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Balantioides coli is a ciliated protozoon that inhabits the intestine of pigs, non-human primates and humans. Light microscopy studies have described over 50 species of the genus Balantioides but their validity is in doubt. Due to the limited information about this genus, this study is aimed to identify morphological characteristics of Balantioides coli isolated using fluorescence microscopy and both scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Trophozoites isolated from the feces of pig and macaque were washed and subjected to centrifugation. These cells were fixed with paraformaldehyde for immunofluorescence. Other aliquots of these trophozoites were fixed with glutaraldehyde, post fixed with osmium tetroxide and processed for SEM and TEM. Immunofluorescence studies revealed microtubules with a longitudinal distribution to the main axis of the parasite and in the constitution of cilia. SEM demonstrated a high concentration of cilia covering the oral apparatus and a poor presence of such structures in cytopyge. TEM revealed in the plasma membrane, several associated structures were observed to delineate the cellular cortex and mucocysts. The cytoskeleton of the oral region was observed in detail and had an organization pattern consisting of microtubules, which formed files and nematodesmal networks. Organelles such as hydrogenosomes like and peroxisomes were observed close to the cortex. Macronuclei were observed, but structures that were consistent with micronuclei were not identified. Ultrastructural morphological analysis of isolates confirms its similarity to Balantioides coli. In this study were identified structures that had not yet been described, such as hydrogenosomes like and cytoskeletal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Although collagen membranes have been clinically applied for guided tissue/bone regeneration for more than 30 years, their in vivo degradation pattern has never been fully clarified. A better understanding of the different stages of in vivo degradation of collagen membranes is extremely important, considering that the biology of bone regeneration requires the presence of a stable and cell/tissue‐occlusive barrier during the healing stages in order to ensure a predictable result. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the degradation pattern of a porcine non‐cross‐linked collagen membrane in an in vivo model of guided bone regeneration (GBR). Material and Methods: Decalcified and paraffin‐embedded specimens from calvarial defects of 18, 10‐month‐old Wistar rats were used. The defects were treated with a double layer of collagen membrane and a deproteinized bovine bone mineral particulate graft. At 7, 14 and 30 days of healing, qualitative evaluation with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and histomorphometric measurements were performed. Markers of collagenase activity and bone formation were investigated using an immunofluorescence technique. Results: A significant reduction of membrane thickness was observed from 7 to 30 days of healing, which was associated with progressive loss of collagen alignment, increased collagen remodeling and progressive invasion of woven bone inside the membranes. A limited inflammatory infiltrate was observed at all time points of healing. Conclusion: The collagen membrane investigated was biocompatible and able to promote bone regeneration. However, pronounced signs of degradation were observed starting from day 30. Since successful regeneration is obtained only when cell occlusion and space maintenance exist for the healing time needed by the bone progenitor cells to repopulate the defect, the suitability of collagen membranes in cases where long‐lasting barriers are needed needs to be further reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tail-end dehulling of canola meal (CM) has been shown to reduce dietary fiber and increase crude protein content in the dehulled meal. The application of this procedure also increased the total and non-phytate P content in the dehulled meal. However, it is unclear if dehulling affects P digestibility in the different fractions (i.e., the dehulled meal and the coarse fraction) and if it differs when fed to growing pigs at two different BW. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine the apparent (ATTD) and standardized (STTD) total tract digestibility of P in dehulled CM fed to growing pigs. Diets containing non-dehulled regular canola meal (RCM), and two fractions produced using sieve size of 355 pm: a low-fiber high-protein fraction (dehulled canola meal [DCM]) and a high-fiber low-protein fraction (coarse canola meal [CCM]) as the only source of P were fed to growing pigs at two different BW. A total of 48 pigs were used for the two experiments. In experiment 1, 24 barrows [(Yorkshire x Landrace) x Duroc] with initial BW of 24.5 ± 1.68 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates and fed the experimental diets for 10 d for total fecal collection. In experiment 2, 24 barrows with an average initial BW of 73.8 ± 4.93 kg were used; experimental diets and fecal collection procedures were the same as in experiment 1. Each experiment used six replicates per treatment. A P-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of P (139.6 ± 10.7 and 150.89 ± 20.1 mg/kg of DMI for experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. In experiment 1, the ATTD and STTD of P were greater (P < 0.05) for DCM (42.4% and 46.1%) than for the RCM (32.0% and 35.7%) and CCM (24.5% and 28.4%) diets. In experiment 2, the ATTD and STTD of P were greater (P < 0.05) for DCM (38.7% and 42.8%) than for the CCM diet (22.6% and 26.8%); whereas the values for RCM diet were intermediate (31.0% and 35.0%) and not different from the DCM and CCM. In conclusion, dehulling canola meal increased ATTD and STTD of P in growing pigs of different BW; however, there was no effect of BW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress (HS) pigs reduce their voluntary feed intake (VFI) and ingestion of indispensable amino acids (AA). Increasing the dietary crude protein (CP) content may help to correct the reduced AA intake by HS pigs, but it may further increase their body heat load. Increasing the AA intake by adding free AA to the diet does not affect the heat load of HS pigs. Two 21-d experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 30 pigs (31.1 ± 1.2 kg initial body weight) were used to determine the performance depression because of HS. Treatments were: thermo neutral pigs fed a 22% CP control diet (TN-C); HS pigs fed the control diet (HS-C); HS pigs fed a 14% CP, AA supplemented diet (HS-AA). HS pigs had lower ADG and Lys utilization efficiency, and consumed 20 and 25% less Lys and Thr, respectively, than the TN-C pigs (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2 (comparative slaughter), 25 pigs (33.6 ± 0.65 kg initial body weight) were used to evaluate the effect of extra dietary AA either as protein-bound or free AA on the performance and carcass traits of HS pigs. Treatments were: control wheat-SBM-free Lys, Thr and Met diet (CON); diet with 30% more CP than CON (HSxP); diet added with free AA to contain at least 25% more of each AA than the recommended level (HSxAA). Ambient temperature (AT) ranged from 27.7 to 37.7°C, and body temperature (39.9 to 41.2°C) followed a similar daily pattern as the AT did. There was no dietary treatment effect on daily feed and NE intake (P > 0.10), but the Lys, Thr, and Met intake was higher in pigs fed the HSxP or HSxAA diets than in pigs fed the CON diet (P < 0.05). The daily weight gain (ADG) was not affected (P > 0.10) but G:F tended to be higher and the Lys utilization efficiency (ADG, g/g Lys intake) tended to be lower in HSxP pigs than in CON pigs (P < 0.10). The HSxAA pigs had higher ADG (P < 0.05), and tended to have higher weight of hot carcass and leg muscle, and the weight gain of hot carcass and leg muscle than the CON pigs (P < 0.10). The weight and daily weight gain of loin muscle was higher in the HSxAA than in the HSxP pigs (P < 0.05). Kidney weight and serum urea in HSxP pigs were higher than in CON and HSxAA pigs, but spleen weight was higher in HSxAA pigs than in CON and HSxP pigs (P < 0.05). These results confirm that HS reduces the VFI, and show that increased levels of AA either as free or protein-bound do not additionally reduce the VFI of HS pigs. These also show that extra free AA supply rather than protein-bound AA better ameliorate the reduced growth performance of HS pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy (NE) contents of canola meal (CM) and to investigate the effects of basal diet [corn diet vs. corn-soybean meal (SBM) diet] and methodology (difference method vs. regression method) on energy values of CM. Thirty-six growing barrows (20.8 ± 1.0 kg initial body weight [BW]) were individually housed in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments to give six replicates per treatment. The six experimental diets included a corn diet, a corn-SBM diet, a corn diet with 15 or 30% of CM, and a corn-SBM diet with 15 or 30% of CM. The DE, ME, and NE of CM were determined using the corn diet or the corn-SBM diet as a basal diet. In each basal diet, two additional diets containing 15 or 30% of CM were formulated to compare the determined energy values by the difference method and estimated energy values from the regression method. Feeding level was set at 550 kcal ME/kg BW0.6 per day. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 16 d including 10 d for adaptation and 6 d for total collection of feces and urine. Pigs were then moved into indirect calorimetry chambers to determine 24 h heat production (HP) and 12 h fasting HP. The DE, ME, and NE of CM determined by the difference method were within the 95% confidence intervals estimated for the DE, ME, and NE of CM by the regression method regardless of the basal diets used, which indicates that the difference and regression methods give equivalent DE, ME, and NE of CM. However, when the goodness of fit for the linear model was compared, the r² of the regression analysis from the corn-SBM diet (0.78) was relatively greater than that from corn diet (0.40). The estimated NE of CM by the prediction equations generated by either the corn diet or corn-SBM diets were 2,096 kcal/kg and 1,960 kcal/kg (as-fed basis), respectively, whereas those values determined by the difference method were 2,233 kcal/ kg and 2,106 kcal/kg (as-fed basis), respectively. In conclusion, the NE of CM determined in the current study was, on average, 2,099 kcal/kg (as-fed basis). The difference and regression methods do not give different NE value of CM fed to growing pigs. Although the NE values of CM determined using either the corn diet or the corn-SBM diet were not different, the greater r² of the regression analysis from the corn-SBM diet than that from the corn diet suggests that the corn-SBM diet is a more appropriate basal diet for NE determination of ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant ADAMA Agriculture BV submitted an application to the competent national authority in Belgium (evaluating Member State (EMS)) to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance prochloraz in sugar beet root and in liver and kidney of swine and ruminant. The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive an MRL proposal for sugar beet root. Residues in sugar beet tops from the new use were found to contribute significantly to the livestock exposure. As the dietary burden needs to be calculated including all feed items and since not all information is available at the moment, EFSA proposes to assess the magnitude of prochloraz residues in animal commodities under the currently ongoing review of prochloraz MRLs according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Adequate analytical methods are available to control the residues of prochloraz residues in plant and animal matrices. The risk assessment performed by EFSA gave an indication that residues of prochloraz may lead to an exceedance of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Thus, before the MRL for sugar beet is amended, it is necessary that a comprehensive, refined risk assessment is performed, taking into account all existing uses of prochloraz and the intended new use on sugar beet. Considering that the MRL review for prochloraz is currently ongoing, the results of the comprehensive risk assessment will be available in due time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Brassica napus and Brassica juncea canola meal (CM) may replace soybean meal (SBM) in pig diets, but differ in fiber, glucosinolates content and profile. Preference of weaned pigs provided double-choice selections to diets containing 20% SBM, B. napus CM, or B. juncea CM was evaluated in two studies. In experiment 1, 216 pigs (9.4 ± 1.6 kg initial BW) were housed in 27 pens of 8 pigs (four gilts and four barrows). In experiment 2, 144 pigs (8.9 ± 1.1 kg) were housed in 36 pens of 4 pigs (two gilts and two barrows). Pigs were offered three dietary choices: B. napus CM with SBM as reference (B. napus CM [SBM]), B. juncea CM with SBM as reference (B. juncea CM [SBM]), and B. juncea CM with B. napus CM as reference (B. juncea CM [B. napus CM]) in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square. Diets were formulated to provide 2.4 Mcal NE/kg and 4.5 g standardized ileal digestible Lys/Mcal NE and were balanced using canola oil and crystalline AA. Each pair of diets was offered in two self-feeders per pen as mash (experiment 1) or pellets (experiment 2) during three test-periods of 4-d, followed by a 3-d non-test period when a common diet was offered in both feeders. Feeders with different diets were rotated daily among pens during preference periods for both experiments, and feeder positions (right or left) were switched daily in experiment 2. Prior to the study and between periods, pigs were fed non-test diets containing SBM (experiment 1) or without test feedstuffs (experiment 2). Overall in both experiments, pigs preferred (P < 0.001) SBM over B. napus and B. juncea CM diets, and preferred (P < 0.001) B. napus over B. juncea CM diet. Dietary choice did not affect (P > 0.05) growth performance in both experiments, except for greater G:F (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the B. juncea CM [B. napus CM] diets than pigs fed the B. napus CM [SBM] or B. juncea CM [SBM] diets in experiment 1. In conclusion, weaned pigs preferred SBM over CM diets when given a choice, and preferred B. napus over the B. juncea diet that contained more total glucosinolates especially gluconapin. Weaned pigs fed the B. juncea CM [B. napus CM] diets in the double-choice selection did not reduce feed intake, weight gain, and G:F compared to pigs fed the B. napus CM [SBM] or B. juncea CM [SBM] diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology are two classical reprogramming methods. Donor cell types can affect the reprogramming results in the above two methods. We here used porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs) and adult porcine ear skin fibroblasts (APEFs) and adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) as donor cells for SCNT and source cells for iPSCs to study their in vitro developmental capability and colony‐formation efficiency, respectively. For SCNT, fusion and cleavage rate has no significant difference among PEFs, ADSCs and APEFs. The rate and total cell number of blastocysts in the APEF group were significant lower than that in PEFs and ADSCs. For transcription factor‐mediated reprogramming, the reprogramming efficiency of ADSCs were significantly higher than PEFs and APEFs and there is no significant difference between PEFs and APEFs. Furthermore, PEFs, APEFs and ADSCs can be used to generate iPSCs. Fianlly, somatic cloned pigs could still be successfully generated from APEFs, suggesting terminally differentiated aging adult somatic cells could be reprogrammed into a totipotent state. Considering the easy availability of animal tissue and the costs of establishing cell lines, aging porcine ear fibroblasts can support nuclear transfer‐mediated and transcription factor‐based reprogramming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have been conducted on decomposition patterns and rates of surface remains; however, much less are known about this process for buried remains. Understanding the process of decomposition in buried remains is extremely important and aids in criminal investigations, especially when attempting to estimate the post mortem interval (PMI). The aim of this study was to compare the rates of decomposition between buried and surface remains. For this purpose, 25 pigs ( Sus scrofa; 45-80 kg) were buried and excavated at different post mortem intervals (7, 14, 33, 92, and 183 days). The observed total body scores were then compared to those of surface remains decomposing at the same location. Stages of decomposition were scored according to separate categories for different anatomical regions based on standardised methods. Variation in the degree of decomposition was considerable especially with the buried 7-day interval pigs that displayed different degrees of discolouration in the lower abdomen and trunk. At 14 and 33 days, buried pigs displayed features commonly associated with the early stages of decomposition, but with less variation. A state of advanced decomposition was reached where little change was observed in the next ±90-183 days after interment. Although the patterns of decomposition for buried and surface remains were very similar, the rates differed considerably. Based on the observations made in this study, guidelines for the estimation of PMI are proposed. This pertains to buried remains found at a depth of approximately 0.75 m in the Central Highveld of South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This experiment was to evaluate the effect of different inclusion levels and adaptation periods on digestible energy (DE) and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of chemical constituents in diets supplemented with wheat bran. Methods: Thirty-six crossbred barrows with an initial body weight of 85.0±2.1 kg were allotted to 6 diets in a completely randomized block design with 6 pigs per diet. Diets included a cornsoybean basal diet and 5 additional diets which were formulated by replacing corn and soybean meal in control diet with 15%, 25%, 35%, 45%, or 55% wheat bran. The experiment lasted for 34 d, and feces were collected from d 8 to 13, 15 to 20, 22 to 27, and 29 to 34 respectively. Results: The results showed no interaction effects between inclusion level and adaptation period on the concentration of DE and the ATTD of gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) in wheat bran. The DE value and ATTD of GE in wheat bran decreased (p<0.05) significantly as the inclusion level of wheat bran increased, but no difference in the ATTD of CP was observed. The ATTD of CP in wheat bran increased (p<0.10) significantly as the adaptation period for pigs was prolonged. In addition, the concentration of DE and the ATTD of GE in wheat bran decreased linearly (p<0.05) when pigs were fed either an increased level of wheat bran or given an increased adaptation period to the diets. Conclusion: Wheat bran showed a negative effect on the concentration of DE and ATTD of GE and CP as the inclusion level increased. A longer adaptation period can gradually increase the DE value and ATTD of GE and CP in wheat bran, and at least 14 to 21 d of adaptation might be recommended for growing-finishing pigs fed the high-fiber diets with wheat bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, the number of studies employing the pig brain as a model for neurochemical studies has dramatically increased. The key translational features of the pig brain are the similarities with the cortical and subcortical structures of the human brain. In addition, the caudalmost part of the pig claustrum ( CL) is characterized by a wide enlargement called posterior puddle, an ideal structure for physiological recordings. Several hypotheses have been proposed for CL function, the key factor being its reciprocal connectivity with most areas of the cerebral cortex and selected subcortical structures. However, afferents from the brainstem could also be involved. The brainstem is the main source of catecholaminergic axons that play an important neuromodulatory action in different brain functions. To study a possible role of the CL in catecholaminergic pathways, we analyzed the presence and the distribution of afferents immunostained with antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase ( TH) and dopamine betahydroxylase ( DBH) in the pig CL. Here we show that the CL contains significant TH immunoreactive axons contacting perikarya, whereas projections staining for DBH are very scarce. Our findings hint at the possibility that brainstem catecholaminergic afferents project to the CL, suggesting (i) a possible role of this nucleus in functions controlled by brainstem structures; and, consequently, (ii) its potential involvement in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative pathologies, including Parkinson's disease ( PD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to identify Helicobacter species with 2 different morphology (Helicobacter-like organisms and Gastrospirillumlike organisms) in gastric imprint of pig stomach. A total of 120 gastric specimens, (60 from intensive and 60 from extensive pig production) were analyzed. The presence of Helicobacter species was detected in 9 of total 60 (15%) pigs from intensive production and 6.67% (4/60) belong to „Helicobacter pylori morphotype", while 8.33% (5/60) belong to „Gastrospirillum-morphotype". Helicobacter species in pigs from extensive production was found in 14 of total 60 (23.33%). „Helicobacterpylori morphotype" were present in 5 of total 60 samples (8.33%), while bacteria with spiral appearance (Gastrospirillum-morphotype) were identified in 9 of total 60 samples (15%). Also, semi-quantitative evaluation of bacterial density was performed. The gastric imprint is useful, fast, simple and inexpensive method, widely used for confirmation of presence of Helicobacter species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-four barrows with an initial body weight of 59.8 ± 2.1 kg were allocated to one of the two feeding frequency regimes (had free access to diet and fed two meals per day). Pigs had free access ( FA) to feed were fed on an ad libitum basis during the 8-week experimental period. Pigs fed twice daily (M2) were allowed to consume their meals in 2 h. Pigs fed twice daily had lower average daily feed intake (p < 0.01) and average daily gain (p < 0.1), but a greater G:F (p < 0.05) than FA pigs. Lower perirenal fat deposition, hot carcass weight, intramuscular fat content (p < 0.05) and dressing percentage (p < 0.1) were found in M2 pigs compared with FA pigs. Activities of citrate synthase, β-hydroxylacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were greater in the Longissimus muscle ( LM) of M2 pigs compared with FA pigs (p < 0.05). Proteomic analysis revealed that expression abundances of proteins involved in glucose metabolism, energy production and lipid utilization were upregulated, but expression levels of proteins participating in protein and amino acid metabolism, stress response and redox homeostasis were downregulated in the LM of M2 pigs than those in FA pigs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the less meal frequency impairs growth rate, has marginal effects on carcass and meat quality traits and affects expression abundances of proteins in the LM of finishing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 12-week trial with 120 [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] pigs (45.65 ± 1.93 kg) was conducted to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula and allicin mixture ( HM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microbial shedding, immune response and meat quality in finishing pigs. Pigs were allocated to one of three treatments with 0, 0.025% ( HM1) and 0.05% ( HM2) HM supplementation in a randomized complete block design according to sex and BW. Each treatment contained 10 replications with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Dietary HM resulted in a higher G:F (p < 0.05) than CON group during weeks 7 to 12 and the overall periods. Pigs fed HM2 diet had higher ADG than pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed HM2 supplementation diet led to a higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility ( ATTD) of dry matter ( DM) and gross energy ( GE) than pigs fed CON diet at week 6, while the supplementation of HM led to a higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of DM and GE than pigs fed CON diet at week 12. The faecal E. coli counts were reduced, and Lactobacillus counts were increased by increasing HM supplementation (p < 0.05). Pigs fed HM1 diet had higher (p < 0.05) WBC concentration than those fed CON and HM2 diets at week 6. Pigs fed HM-supplemented diet had higher (p < 0.05) IgG and IgA concentrations than those fed CON diet at week 12. Pigs fed HM diet noted better (p < 0.05) meat colour and redness value than pigs fed CON diet. Pig fed HM2 reduced (p < 0.05) the lightness value compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary HM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial balance (increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), immune response and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional effect of tomato pomace, in combination with two distinct fat sources (lard or soya bean oil), on longissimus lumborum muscle, subcutaneous fat and liver of young pigs. Forty male pigs of 4 weeks old were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using two fibre sources (wheat bran or 5.0% tomato pomace) and two fat sources (lard or soya bean oil), in a 2 × 2 factorial design for a 5-week trial. Tomato pomace did not improve colour, fatty acid profile, cholesterol content or lipid oxidation, nor did it yield detectable levels in lycopene or β-carotene in the meat (p > 0.05). However, a positive increase in α-tocopherol content of meat and liver was observed in pigs fed tomato pomace (p < 0.05). Compared with lard, soya bean oil increased MUFA and PUFA proportions and decreased the percentage of SFA (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that 5.0% of tomato pomace increases pork oxidative stability and that 5.0% of soya bean oil, compared with lard, improves its nutritional quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]