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Tummaruk P, De Rensis F, Kirkwood RN. Managing prolific sows in tropical environments. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:533-545. [PMID: 36495558 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Litter size in modern sows has been dramatically improved in recent decades by genetic selection for highly prolific sows. In a tropical environment, the average total number of pigs born and number born alive are reported to be as high as 17.2 and 15.1 piglets per litter, respectively. Therefore, the new production target in many herds aims to achieve 30-40 pigs weaned per sow per year. Despite the improvements in litter size, the mean preweaning piglet mortality rate remains high, at between 10% and 20%, in major pig-producing countries. A sufficient daily feed intake by lactating sows is important for high milk production as sow milk yield is the limiting factor for piglet growth rate. Heat stress, which can occur when the ambient temperatures rise above 25°C, is one of the major problems that decreases daily feed intake and compromises milk yield. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage high feed intakes to achieve high milk yields. However, even with high nutrient intakes, productivity can be constrained by intestinal barrier function, limiting digestive ability, and allowing potential pathogens and/or toxins to become systemic. This is more likely greater under tropical conditions because of heat stress, exacerbating sow fertility problems. Underpinning sow herd performance, including responses to environmental challenges, is the selection of appropriate gilts, for example, selection and management for early puberty, thus presumably selecting the more fertile gilts and the correct management of lactation to improve the number of weaned piglets are some of the key factors for future reproductive efficiency of the farm under tropical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padet Tummaruk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Fabio De Rensis
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roy N Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Zhuo Y, Yang P, Hua L, Zhu L, Zhu X, Han X, Pang X, Xu S, Jiang X, Lin Y, Che L, Fang Z, Feng B, Wang J, Li J, Wu D, Huang J, Jin C. Effects of Chronic Exposure to Diets Containing Moldy Corn or Moldy Wheat Bran on Growth Performance, Ovarian Follicular Pool, and Oxidative Status of Gilts. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14060413. [PMID: 35737074 PMCID: PMC9230446 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14060413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: We investigated the effect of replacing normal corn (NC) or normal wheat bran (NW) with moldy corn (MC) or moldy wheat bran (MW) on growth, ovarian follicular reserves, and oxidative status. Methods: Sixty-three Landrace × Yorkshire gilts were assigned to seven diets formulated by using MC to replace 0% (control), 25% (25% MC), 50% (50% MC), 75% (75% MC), and 100% NC (100% MC), MW to replace 100% NW (100% MW), and MC and MW to replace 100% NC and 100% NW (100% MC + MW), from postnatal day 110 to day 19 of the second estrous cycle. Results: Feeding the gilts with MC or MW induced a lower average daily gain at days 29−56 of the experiment. Age at puberty remained unchanged, but MC inclusion resulted in a linear decrease in antral follicles with diameter >3.0 mm, and control gilts had a 12.7 more large antral follicles than gilts in the 100% MC + MW treatment. MC inclusion linearly decreased the numbers of primordial follicles, growing follicles, and corpora lutea, associated with a lower anti-Müllerian hormone level in serum and 17β-estradiol level in follicular fluid. MC inclusion decreased the serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its mRNA levels in the liver, combined with higher malondialdehyde concentration and lower total superoxide dismutase activities in serum and liver. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to MC-containing diets caused the loss of follicles, even if levels of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and aflatoxin B1 were below the levels allowed by China and Europe standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhuo
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Pu Yang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Lun Hua
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Lei Zhu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xin Zhu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xinfa Han
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Xiaoxue Pang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Shengyu Xu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Xuemei Jiang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Yan Lin
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Lianqiang Che
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Zhengfeng Fang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Bin Feng
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Jianping Wang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Jian Li
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - De Wu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
| | - Jiankui Huang
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Shangda Technology, Co., Ltd., Guangxi Research Center for Nutrition and Engineering Technology of Breeding Swine, Nanning 530105, China
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (C.J.)
| | - Chao Jin
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (Y.Z.); (P.Y.); (L.H.); (L.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.H.); (X.P.); (S.X.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (L.C.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.W.); (J.L.); (D.W.)
- Correspondence: (J.H.); (C.J.)
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Dvoretsky AG, Tipisova EV, Elfimova AE, Alikina VA, Dvoretsky VG. Sex Hormones in Hemolymph of Red King Crabs from the Barents Sea. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072149. [PMID: 34359277 PMCID: PMC8300720 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Well-known sex hormones, testosterone and 17β-estradiol, play a crucial role in the reproduction of vertebrates. Biochemical assays have detected these substances in a few crustaceans, and it has been hypothesized that these hormones are involved in the regulation of crustacean reproduction. Red king crab is a large commercially important species harvested both in their native areas (North Pacific) and in the area of its introduction (Barents Sea). The presence of 17β-estradiol and testosterone and fluctuations of their concentrations in relation to different factors have not yet been investigated. For this reason, we provided a pilot study to reveal the levels of sex hormones in hemolymph of red king crabs captured in the coastal Barents Sea. These hormones were detected in the crabs and we compared our data with previously published data involving a wide range of crustaceans. We found seasonal variations in the level of testosterone with the maximum in the spawning period. Our data expand the current knowledge about the red king crab physiology and may be used for the development of its aquaculture. Abstract The presence of vertebrate-related steroid sex hormones has been reported in both freshwater and marine crustaceans. However, despite the commercial importance of king crabs, many aspects of their endocrinology are still unknown. For this reason, we examined hemolymph samples of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus from the Barents Sea population for the presence of testosterone and 17β-estradiol using radioimmunoassay. The mean testosterone concentration was 0.46 ± 0.04 (range 0.08–1.39) ng mL–1, whereas the mean 17β-estradiol concentration was 1248.9 ± 91.4 (range 217.7–4100.1) pg mL–1. In general, the levels of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in red king crabs were higher than reported for the hemolymph of amphipods, crabs, and shrimps from warm and temperate waters, probably because the king crabs analyzed were larger and heavier than the other crustaceans. The concentrations of sex steroids did not differ significantly between males and females and between immature and mature red king crabs. Seasonal variations in the level of testosterone with the maximum value in the spawning period (May) indicate a potential role of the sex hormones in the maturation and reproduction processes of red king crab. Taking into account the slow growth rate in P. camtschaticus, our data could be useful not only for further physiological studies but also for the development of reliable techniques for red king crab aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena V. Tipisova
- N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FECIAR UrB RAS), 163000 Arkhangelsk, Russia; (E.V.T.); (A.E.E.); (V.A.A.)
| | - Aleksandra E. Elfimova
- N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FECIAR UrB RAS), 163000 Arkhangelsk, Russia; (E.V.T.); (A.E.E.); (V.A.A.)
| | - Viktoria A. Alikina
- N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FECIAR UrB RAS), 163000 Arkhangelsk, Russia; (E.V.T.); (A.E.E.); (V.A.A.)
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Papas M, Govaere J, Peere S, Gerits I, Van de Velde M, Angel-Velez D, De Coster T, Van Soom A, Smits K. Anti-Müllerian Hormone and OPU-ICSI Outcome in the Mare. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072004. [PMID: 34359132 PMCID: PMC8300260 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) reflects the population of growing follicles and has been related to mammalian fertility. In the horse, clinical application of ovum pick-up and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (OPU-ICSI) is increasing, but results depend largely on the individuality of the mare. The aim of this study was to assess AMH as a predictor for the OPU-ICSI outcome in horses. Therefore, 103 mares with a total follicle count above 10 were included in a commercial OPU-ICSI session and serum AMH was determined using ELISA. Overall, the AMH level was significantly correlated with the number of aspirated follicles and the number of recovered oocytes (p < 0.001). Mares with a high AMH level (≥2.5 µg/L) yielded significantly greater numbers of follicles (22.9 ± 1.2), oocytes (13.5 ± 0.8), and blastocysts (2.1 ± 0.4) per OPU-ICSI session compared to mares with medium (1.5-2.5 µg/L) or low AMH levels (<1.5 µg/L), but no significant differences in blastocyst rates were observed. Yet, AMH levels were variable and 58% of the mares with low AMH also produced an embryo. In conclusion, measurement of serum AMH can be used to identify mares with higher chances of producing multiple in vitro embryos, but not as an independent predictor of successful OPU-ICSI in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Papas
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jan Govaere
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Sofie Peere
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Ilse Gerits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Margot Van de Velde
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Daniel Angel-Velez
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Research Group in Animal Sciences-INCA-CES, Universidad CES, 050021 Medellin, Colombia
| | - Tine De Coster
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (J.G.); (S.P.); (I.G.); (M.V.d.V.); (D.A.-V.); (T.D.C.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
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Influence of Backfat Thickness and the Interval from Altrenogest Withdrawal to Estrus on Reproductive Performance of Gilts. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051348. [PMID: 34068463 PMCID: PMC8151223 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Altrenogest, also known as allyl trenbolone, is a steroidal progestin that is widely used in veterinary medicine to synchronize estrus in gilts. To achieve the target number of services per week, enough weaned sows and gilts are needed each week for breeding. A problem with progestogen-synchronized replacement gilts is the variation of the interval between last feeding of altrenogest and onset of estrus. In the present study, we found that gilt backfat thickness had a strong positive correlation with the interval between last feeding of altrenogest and onset of estrus. This result may come from a larger reservoir of altrenogest in adipose tissue in fatter gilts. Abstract Estrus synchronization of gilts can be achieved by feeding the orally active progestogen altrenogest (AT) to cycling gilts at 20 mg/day for 14 to 18 days with gilts usually returning to estrus 4 to 8 days after the last feeding. In practice, gilts failing to exhibit estrus by 6 days after AT withdrawal may compromise weekly breeding targets. The cause of prolonged intervals to estrus are unknown but may involve prolonged suppression due to the release of progesterone (P4), and by extension AT, from adipose tissues. The present study examined relationships between gilt P2 backfat depth (<13.5 mm, 14–16.5 mm, >17 mm groups), the AT withdrawal to estrus interval, and subsequent reproductive performance in gilts. We noted longer intervals to estrus in gilts with greater P2 backfat depths (p < 0.0001), and higher serum P4 concentrations on the last day of AT feeding and at estrus detection (p < 0.05). Total born litter sizes were unaffected by backfat depth, but pigs born alive progressively decreased with increasing backfat depth with the fattest gilts producing the fewest liveborn pigs (p < 0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that adipose tissues may provide a reservoir of steroid, with its release from fatter gilts having potential negative effects on their subsequent reproductive performance.
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