Biomedical subjects

M F Haussmann

Publications and source records attributed to M F Haussmann.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Administration of ACTH to restrained, pregnant sows alters their pigs' hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

This study was designed to examine the physiology and behavior of pigs whose dams were snared and then injected with ACTH during gestation. Administration of ACTH to dams during pregnancy has been shown to replicate the effects of prenatal stress in other species. Control sows (n = 8) were given no treatment, whereas the treatment sows (ACTH, n = 8) were immobilized by snaring the snout and then administered an i.v. injection of ACTH (1 IU/kg BW) weekly from 6 to 12 wk of gestation. A pig was killed from each sow at 1, 30, and 60 d of age. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and liver were immediately obtained to determine the amounts of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin, and mRNA for pro-opiomelanocorticotropin (POMC), the ACTH receptor (ACTH-R), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Pituitary corticotrope and somatotrope cell numbers and adrenal cortex-to-medulla area ratios (CORT:MED) were also determined. Pigs' behaviors were recorded at 6 and 8 wk of age. At 75 d of age, a blood sample was taken and a biopsy puncture was created on one pig from each litter, then pigs were stressed by mixing. Blood was sampled every other day for 10 d to determine plasma cortisol concentrations and differential leukocyte counts. Biopsy damage was evaluated for healing. At 1 d of age, control pigs tended to weigh more (P = .09), have a lower expression of ACTH-R mRNA (P = .01) and IGF-I mRNA (P = .01), and a lower CORT:MED (P = .04) than ACTH pigs. At 30 d of age, control pigs had a greater concentration of beta-endorphin (P = .01) and tended to have a lower concentration of CRH (P = .09) and IGF-I mRNA (P = .10) than ACTH pigs. At 60 d of age, control pigs tended to have lighter pituitary glands (P = .08), a lower expression of POMC mRNA (P = .02), and a CORT:MED (P = .003) than ACTH pigs. At 8 wk of age, control pigs performed a higher frequency of belly nosing (P = .07) and oral vice behaviors (P = .01) than ACTH pigs. In response to mixing stress, control pigs had lesser concentrations of plasma cortisol (P = .03) and healed faster (P = .006) than ACTH pigs. Thus, exogenous ACTH and restraint during gestation alters the HPA axis of the sow's offspring, and during stressful situations later in life health, and therefore welfare, may be compromised.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1999

Butorphanol tartrate acts to decrease sow activity, which could lead to reduced pig crushing.

The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of an analgesic to sows immediately after farrowing would allow them to lie more restfully. Sows lying on their pigs, causing them to be "crushed," is a major cause of pig mortality. Most deaths due to crushing occur during the first 3 d postpartum. For modern, lean-type sows, farrowing crates are relatively hard and unforgiving, even though they may be equipped with plastic-coated, expanded metal flooring. Indeed, many sows develop pressure sores on their shoulders, and this may contribute to the sows' discomfort. These sores may cause a sow to change position frequently to alleviate pain, thus increasing its chances of crushing pigs. Sixteen production sows were assigned to either a control group (C, n = 8) with litter size 11.71+/-.78 or an experimental group (B, n = 8) with litter size 11.63+/-1.22. Pigs born to C and B sows weighed 1.60+/-.04 and 1.37+/-.04 kg, respectively. The C sows were given no treatment, whereas the B sows were administered an i.m. injection of butorphanol tartrate at a dose of .15 mg/kg BW every 6 h until 3 d after farrowing. Data were collected on all sows using time-lapse photography (1 frame/.4 s) for a 3-d duration upon the initiation of farrowing. To assess the degree of comfort of each sow, body position changes were recorded when sows switched between lying, sitting, and standing. Data were analyzed by 12-h periods using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney equations. During the 72-h period, B sows tended to perform fewer position changes than C sows (P = .10). Specifically, position changes were fewer for B sows from 48 to 72 h postpartum (P<.06). There were no differences in position changes between treatments from 0 to 48 h postpartum (P>.50). There was no difference in the rate of crushing between treatments (C = 5, B = 5). The butorphanol did not seem to affect pig activity or normal behaviors or to create adverse effects, such as diarrhea. Although the sows given butorphanol showed a reduced number of position changes, the dose was intermediate, and a higher dose may have a greater effect. If pig mortality can be decreased, an analgesic protocol that is simple to administer and readily available to producers can be developed. Alternatively, using of more pliable flooring or an increase in sow body fat may allow sows to lie more stationary.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed1999

Danger to pigs due to crushing can be reduced by the use of a simulated udder.

Sows that lie on their young, pig "crushing", is a significant cause of pig mortality in current production systems. Although mortality rates of pigs in farrowing crates are lower than mortality rates of pigs in pens, loss due to crushing is still estimated to be between 4.8 and 18%. During the first few days after parturition, pigs are highly attracted to the odor of their dam's udder. Thus, our research was designed to move the pigs away from the sow by competing with the sow's udder using a "simulated" udder. Fifteen Yorkshire x Landrace sows and their litters (11.4+/-.78 pigs) were assigned to either a control (C, n = 9) or an experimental group (SU, n = 6). The C pigs had access to a heat lamp, whereas the SU pigs' crate had a simulated udder. Data were collected using time-lapse photography (1 frame/.4 s) for a 3-d duration at the initiation of farrowing. When a sow stood, data were recorded by 1-min scan samples to record the number of pigs using either the heat lamp or the simulated udder. In addition, stillborn pigs, pig crushing, and death by other means also were recorded. Data were analyzed by 12-h periods using generalized estimating equations. Results indicate that from 12 to 72 h postpartum, excluding 24 to 36 h postpartum, the estimated probability that pigs were in a safe area (simulated udder or heat lamp) was .89 for SU pigs, compared with only .72 for C pigs (P = .005). During the 24- to 36-h period, it was more probable to find pigs on a simulated udder (.77) than under only a heat lamp (.61, P = .016). Stillborn pigs, pig crushing, and death by other means were not different between treatments (mean = .87, .60, 1.2; P>.20). The simulated udder drew pigs away from the sow's udder better than heat lamps alone. Considering these findings, mortality of pigs due to crushing may be decreased substantially using a simulated udder. These results are promising, but further refinement should be done, including improved udder design and investigation of the attractiveness of various stimuli.

Animal Husbandry↗