Journal of Animal Science

Galloway, D., E.;Marple, D., N.;Cassens, R., G.;Marsh, B., B.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151327xpmid: N/A

Summary Three separate attempts were made to confirm the reported development of pale, soft, exudative (PSE) pork following aldosterone treatment, and to relate any resulting deterioration in quality to hormone-induced changes in the magnesium levels of the blood serum and musculature. Injection schedules included long-term daily administration, concentrated treatment a few hours prior to slaughter, and a single injection 90 min pre-slaughter. Concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in serum and muscle were not affected significantly by aldosterone treatment. Post-mortem muscle glycolytic rate was not altered by the injections. PSE muscle was not induced by any of the aldosterone administration schedules. It was concluded that aldosterone injection in the pig does not cause the development of the PSE condition or promote any significant reduction in meat quality. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 Present address: American Can Co., Neenah, WI 54956. 3 Present address: Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36830. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

DeGeeter, M., J.;Harris, D., L.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151333xpmid: 127771

Summary Swine dysentery was established by contact in eighty crossbred pigs averaging 17.6 kg live weight. The agents (Treponema hyodysenteriae and Vibrio coli) believed associated with the disease were cultured, isolated, and identified by biochemical criteria and morphological characterization. Although mortality in medicated animals did not occur, tissue necrosis, intestinal bleeding and other clinical symptoms did exist with significant (P<.05) differences among treatments. Six of 17 pigs in the challenged group of pigs which received medication died. Two strains of T. hyodysenteriae and three strains of V. coli were tested for sensitivity to lincomycin (L) or to spectinomycin (S). Both strains of T. hyodysenteriae were resistant to S but sensitive to lincomycin. One strain of V. coli was resistant to L; whereas two stains were not. All three V. coli strains were sensitive to S. The combination of L and S, 1:1 ratio, (LS)4 and L alone reduced the incidence of intestinal bleeding (P<.05) and also decreased the incidence of tissue necrosis observed at necropsy when compared with the effect of S or no antibiotic in the diet. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The Upjohn Company, 9660-190-1, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001. 2 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50010. 3 The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr.'s M. W. Glenn, A. H. Hamdy and P. N. Perrel for their technical assistance and Joann M. Kinyon, J. Sue McAllister, Kathy A. Burds, Roger Evans and Larry Mohney for their laboratory assistance. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Murthy, T. R., K.;Jemmali,, M.;Henry,, Y.;Frayssinet,, C.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151339xpmid: 1194119

Summary AFLATOXIN B1, B2 and M were detected in liver, gall bladder, spleen, heart, muscle and kidney of growing swine when protein and protein-free portions of the diet were separately fed. The protein portion contained a peanut meal naturally contaminated with aflatoxins. A mixture of the protein and protein-free portions resulted in no detectable residue in the one pig autopsied. No adverse effects on live weight gains and gain/feed were visible by this feeding procedure, as compared to the separate feeding technique. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Station de Biochimie et Physicochimie des Céréales (Service des Mycotoxines) 13, rue Nicolas Fortin 75 013 Paris. Reprints obtainable from M. Jemmali. 2 Centre National de Recherches Zootechniques Station de Recherches sur l'Elevage des Porcs, Domaine de Vilvert, 78 350, JOUY-en-JOSAS. 3 Institut de Recherches Scientifiques sur le Cancer, B.P. 8, 94 800, VILLEJUIF. 4 The authors acknowledge the technical assistance and cooperation of D. Bourdon and L. Barrière, Station de Recherches sur l'Elevage des Porcs (I.N.R.A.), Centre National de Recherches Zootechniques, 78 350, Jouy-en-Josas and to I.N.S.E.R.M. for their interest in this work. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science American Society of Animal Science

Furugouri,, K.;Kawabata,, A.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151348xpmid: 1194120

Summary Forty-two piglets on days 3 and 12 of age were used to determine the rate of intestinal absorption of iron by the red cell radioiron method and to evaluate the effect of age on intestinal absorption of iron. 59 Fe-labelled ferric citrate in a dose of 1–2 µci per kilogram weight was administered with carrier ferric citrate in 5% fructose solution by stomach tube after 1-hr fast. Two levels of carrier dose (8 and 24 mg iron) were assigned. After 59Fe dosing, all piglets were daily administered ferric citrate of the same level as carrier dose. Although uptake of Fe by red cells was markedly lower from the ingested dose than from the intravenous injection, the incorporation into red cells of the ingested 59Fe reached a plateau 6-days post-dose, suggesting ready incorporation into hemoglobin. The red cell utilization of ingested iron by nursing piglets, dosed with 8 mg iron, ranged broadly from 44 to 85% with mean 59%. Only a small amount of 59 Fe was detected in nonheme iron in the liver at the end of experiment. The uptake of 59 Fe into red cells for the 24 mg dose was markedly depressed as compared with the 8 mg dose. However, since the amount of 59Fe in nonheme iron in the liver was increased with the elevated dosage, it seems likely that iron absorption from the intestine of the nursing pigs is not largely affected by the elevated dose. Iron depletion prior to initiation of 59Fe dosing did not enhance the percentage absorption of iron from the intestine significantly over that of the group receiving 8 mg per os daily. Although hematological parameters did not change with the level of iron dose, nonheme iron in the liver was significantly increased with the elevated dose. Thus, it seems likely that the great physiological iron need for hemoglobin synthesis associated with extremely rapid growth is a major factor responsible for enhancing iron absorption from the intestine and that the uptake of 59Fe by red cells is scaled down in parallel with an increase in nonheme iron depots in body after iron demand for heme synthesis is satisfied. Since piglets showed no apparent difference in the rate of iron absorption between days 3 and 12 of age, it seems likely that the intestinal functions relative to iron absorption develop rapidly in the neonatal period. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Department of Animal Physiology. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Katz, Robert, S.;Baker, David, H.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151355xpmid: 1194121

Summary Five growth assays were conducted with young chicks to study relative toxicities of various organic sulfur compounds. Evaluation of the dietary requirements for glycine and threonine indicated that .52% threonine and .51% glycine were the minimum requirements for maximal gain. To provide a margin of safety .55% threonine and .60% glycine were chosen as levels to use in subsequent assays. A level of 1.25% excess DL-methionine resulted in close to a 40% reduction in growth rate and was chosen as the level to use in later assays. Consumption of excess methionine, calcium methionine hydroxy analogue (OH-M(Ca)) or ethionine resulted in reduced rate and efficiency of gain as well as a lowered concentration of hepatic ATP. DL-homocysteine was equally as toxic as an equimolar level of DL-methionine, but D-methionine was less growth depressing than either L- or DL-methionine. Chicks consuming diets with excess methionine exhibited much greater growth depressions than those fed diets with an equimolar concentration of either OH-M (Ca) or cystine. Homocysteine accumulation in plasma and tissues is thought to be one of several possible factors responsible for lesions associated with methionine toxicity. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 Present address: The Quaker Oats Co., 617 W. Main St., Barrington, IL. 60010. 2 Part of a thesis submitted to the Graduate College of the University of Illinois in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree. 3 Department of Animal Science. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Mahan, D., C.;Grifo, A., P.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151362xpmid: 1194122

Summary Two experiments were each conducted at two locations to determine the efficacy of feeding varying dietary protein levels to first-litter lactating sows that had been fed a fortified corn diet (8.2% C.P.) during gestation. Gilts at both locations were limit fed the corn diet approximately 30 days prebreeding and throughout pregnancy at the rate of 1.82 kg/day. Lactation diets were fed after parturition on a restricted basis the first week postpartum then ad libitum until weaning (28 days). Creep feed was not supplied to the pigs. Lactation diets containing from 12 to 20% protein were formulated by altering the ratio of corn and soybean meal. Litter size was equalized to eight pigs in the first experiment but not in the second. Total protein concentrations in milk and blood serum were determined on days 14 and 28 postpartum of the second experiment. Although there were differences between locations, overall gestation performance was satisfactory. Sow weight loss was greatest and feed intake, litter gain and pig weight at weaning were lowest when the lower protein level was fed. Sow feed intakes and pig gains increased by 14 and 28 days as sow dietary protein levels increased. The number of pigs weaned per litter was not affected by lactation protein level (Experiment II). Milk protein concentrations on days 14 and 28 were somewhat indicative of pig performance but was not significantly correlated. These results suggest that sows fed a corn gestation diet may have a higher dietary amino acid requirement during lactation than sows fed higher gestation protein levels. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 3 Department of Animal Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Sharp, D., C.;Ginther, O., J.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151368xpmid: 1238385

Summary Two groups of pony mares were housed for 120 days beginning October 17 in controlled environment rooms in the University Biotron. Temperature and daily photoperiod were programmed to simulate outdoor conditions in southern Wisconsin for either October 17 to February 15 (control group, six mares) or March 1 to July 1 (treated group, seven mares). All mares were given a maintenance diet of a commercial feed. Ovarian follicular development was monitored by rectal palpation and the incidence of estrus was monitored daily by teasing with a stallion. After 63 days of treatment, there were more (P<.05) total palpable follicles (>10 mm diameter) in the treated mares. By day 60, diameter of the largest follicle was greater (P<.05) in treated mares. By day 69, all ovarian end points (diameter of largest follicle, total number of follicles, number of follicles >20 mm, and average follicle diameter) were significantly greater in treated mares than in controls. The changes for each ovarian end point in treated mares were best characterized by a significant cubic regression curve with a steep central portion (sigmoid curve). In treated mares, estrous behavior was shown in four of seven by the 94th day, and in seven of seven by the 112th day. None of the control mares exhibited estrus during the entire project. Two of seven treated mares ovulated by the project termination date; no control mares ovulated. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 3 Present address: Horse Research Center, Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Gomes, W., R.;Joyce, Mary, C.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151373xpmid: 1194123

Summary Monthly blood samples collected from seven rams were assayed for serum testosterone concentrations. Testosterone concentrations were lowest in December (.76 ng testosterone/ml serum), increased gradually through April (3.88 ng/ml), and reached 7.42 ng/ml in May. After a transient decrease in June (to 4.15 ng/ml), testosterone concentrations reached a peak of 8.31 ng/ml in July; concentrations then decreased in August and September. It is suggested that light is the major stimulus to testicular steroidogenesis where summer temperatures are moderate; in hotter climates or during acute temperature increases, thermal factors may override photoperiodic effects. This content is only available as a PDF. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Bazer, Fuller, W.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151376xpmid: 1104552

Summary Proteins in uterine secretions have been studied in a variety of species since proteins are known to serve as enzymes, carrier molecules and possible regulators of genetic activity (histone and nonhistone chromosomal proteins). The data presented herein deal specifically with proteins isolated from the uterine lumen of the non-pregnant pigs and fetal fluids of pregnant gilts. Proteins having acid phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, lysozyme, cathepsin and nonspecific esterase enzymatic activity have been detected. Futhermore, two different size classes of proteins have been shown to bind H3 -progesterone, but not tritium labeled estradiol, estrone or prostaglandin F2α Proteins having these same enzymatic and progesterone binding properties have been found in allantoic fluid from pregnant gilts between 30 and 100 days of gestation. Results of immunofluorescent antibody studies designed to determine the site of synthesis, movement and localization of the porcine purple acid phosphatase suggest that: (1) these proteins are maternal in origin; (2) the proteins are synthesized and secreted by the uterine endometrial surface and glandular epithelium and (3) the proteins are absorbed via the placental areolae, transported across the chorio-allantois membranes and sequestered in the allantoic fluid. Passive immunization of gilts against the purple intra-uterine protein resulted in a reduction in placental development. On the other hand, progesterone therapy designed to increase uterine protein secretions stimulated placental development through increased placental length and allantoic fluid volume. The latter effect may have resulted from an increased rate of conversion of progesterone to estrogens since water transport is an estrogen related phenomenon. In general, the available data suggest that uterine protein secretions may affect placental development primarily and embryonic/fetal development only secondarily. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 2 The author wishes to acknowledge that various aspects of this research were conducted in cooperation with Dr. R. M. Roberts, Department of Biochemistry, Dr. B. M. Gebhardt, Department of Pathology, Dr. W. W. Thatcher, Department of Dairy Science and Dr. H. D. Wallace, Department of Animal Science. Support for this research has been provided by U.S.D.A. Cooperative Agreement 12-14-1001-402 (F.W.B.), N.S.F. Grant BMS 74-18016 (R.M.R.) and N.I.H. Grants HD-00384 and AI-00401 (B.M.G.). Excellent technical assistance was provided by Miss Norma J. Baldwin and Mrs. Linda J. Owens. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science

Coulter, G., H.;Larson, L., L.;Foote, R., H.

doi: 10.2527/jas1975.4151383xpmid: 1194124

Summary A total of 5,909 scrotal circumference and 5,373 testicular consistency (tonometer) measurements were made on Holstein bulls in seven artificial insemination studs. Comparable measurements were made on 339 Angus bulls. The multiple regression equation, Ŷ = −4.67 + 47.26 log X−11.74 (log X)2), where Ŷ is scrotal circumference in cm and X is bull age in months, described the high rate of testicular growth in young Holstein bulls, limited growth in mature bulls, and a slight decrease in the oldest bulls. Angus tended to have larger testes than Holsteins up to 3 years of age, but they were surpassed after that age by Holstein bulls. Regression of testicular consistency on age of Holstein bulls resulted in the equation Ŷ = 20.83 − 9.06 log X + 2.47 (log X)2, where Ŷ is the mean deflection averaged for weak and strong spring tonometers in mm and X is bull age in months. This content is only available as a PDF. Author notes 1 The authors gratefully acknowledge Richard Cole, Michael Simkin, Dr. J. Hahn, Dr. Gary B. Anderson, Dr. Peter J. H. Ball and Ms. Jacqueline Schiavo for their assistance, Eastern A. I. Coop. Inc., The National Association of Animal Breeders and the North Central Biological Research Committee for financial support and all the bull studs mentioned in the paper for their cooperation. 2 Present Address: Agriculture Canada Research Station, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J-4B1. 3 Present Address: Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68503. 4 Department of Animal Science. Copyright 1975 by American Society of Animal Science. American Society of Animal Science