[Mechanism of action and effects of repartitioning substances for swine fattening]. / Wirkungsmechanismus und Effekte von Repartitioning-Substanzen in der Schweinemast.

The effect of an application of pST- and beta-agonists on the fattening-capacity and carcass-composition of the pig is evaluated by means of data available in literature. American stress-resistant cross-bred pigs show a stronger reaction on pST in their fattening-capacity than European breeds. Obviously, this has derived from genetic differences. Feed-utilization, meat-gain, and reduction of lipid content in the case of European breeds are, nevertheless, subject to a pronounced improvement through pST and beta-agonists. Further positive aspects are the decrease of the N-excretion in urine and no, resp. only minor influence on the quality of meat. A negative aspect of the meat with regard to consumers' acceptance is the fact that the mentioned substances belong to the group of hormones.

The effect of etomoxir on glucose turnover and recycling with [1-14C], [3-3H]-glucose tracer in pigs.

Infusion of etomoxir to 4 fasted pigs caused significant (48%) falls in blood glucose concentrations. To assess whether inhibition of hepatic glucose production or increase of peripheral glucose utilisation is causally associated, a primed infusion of [3-3H]-glucose and [1-14C]-glucose was used, and glucose turnover rates, recycling and metabolic clearance rate of glucose were determined. No effects of infusion of etomoxir on glucose turnover rates could be found. Recycling of glucose carbon was affected to a relatively small extent. The metabolic clearance rate, however, increased by 126% from 5.0 +/- 0.7 ml/kg x min in the control group to 11.3 +/- 3.5 ml/kg x min in the treated group (mean +/- SEM; P less than 0.05). We conclude that under fasting conditions an increase in glucose utilization plays a major part in the blood glucose lowering effect of etomoxir.

[Perinatal development of the pyruvate metabolism-regulating enzyme in the pig liver]. / Pränatale Entwicklung der den Pyruvatumsatz regulierenden Enzyme in der Schweineleber.

The gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase (PK), regulating pyruvate metabolism, were determined in the livers of 71 fetuses, which were developed of 25 dams on the 80th, 100th, 106th, and 112th day of gestation (length: 115 days) by Caesarean section. For comparative purposes the same enzymes were estimated in 12 naturally born piglets immediately after delivery. During the period under examination (the last third of gestation) the total activity of PEPCK has its highest values at the 80th day, the PC and PK activity at the 100th day of gestation. The activities of all 3 enzymes decrease during the last 2 weeks of gestation until birth. The cytosolic part of PEPCK amounts to 10-15 per cent of total activity and develops in a parallel manner. In newborn piglets a further decline of the PC and total PEPCK activity can be observed, but the cytosolic PEPCK activity remains constant, and therefore its relative proportion increases to 25% of the total activity. The PK activity rises distinctly (1.5 times). The role of these enzymes in the carbohydrate metabolism of the fetus, especially in gluconeogenesis, is discussed in detail.

[Further studies of swine reaction to fixation with a maxillary sling based on metabolic and hematologic parameters]. / Weitere Untersuchungen zur Reaktion von Schweinen auf eine Fixation mittels Oberkieferschlinge anhand metabolischer und hämatologischer Parameter.

The effects of five-minute fixation by means of maxillary sling (pig catcher) on the behaviour of various blood and blood plasma components were recorded from eleven purebred Piétrain pigs. Blood was taken through indwelling catheter from the jugular vein and up to 60 minutes after the beginning of restraint. Exposure of the animals to such psychomotor stress led to maximum rise of lactate levels by 53 mg/100 ml on average as well as to increase in glucose by 37 mg/100 ml, haemoglobin concentration by 2.3 g/100 ml, and haematocrit by 9.7 per cent. Concentrations of free fatty acids in blood plasma, on the other hand, dropped with significance during stress, that is by the order of 111 mumol/l. No significant changes in glycerin were recordable. The values returned to their initial levels within 60 minutes from the end of fixation.

[Insulin and cortisol levels in blood plasma and adrenal gland mass in swine during the perinatal period]. / Die Konzentration an Insulin und Kortisol im Blutplasma sowie die Masse der Nebennieren von Schweinen im perinatalen Lebensabschnitt.

The level of immunoreactive insulin activity and glucose in blood plasma of the umbilical vein was found to be lower than that in maternal venous blood plasma, in the last third of intra-uterine development, that is between the 80th and 112th day. No age-dependent differences were recordable regarding immunoreactive insulin activity in foetal blood plasma. Concentrations of glucose and immunoreactive insulin in venous blood plasma of piglets were found to rise, within 24 hours from birth, due to milk intake. Such rises were statistically significant but differed by individuals. None of the above parameters increased in fasting piglets. Cortisol in foetal blood plasma was found to be low, usually less than 5 ng/ml, on the 80th, 100th, and 106th day of intra-uterine life, but it went up between the 106th and 112th day. The highest concentrations were recorded from the oldest foetuses, 114 day of intra-uterine development. The cortisol levels in the blood plasma of the mothers of the above mentioned foetuses varied between 5 ng/ml and 70 ng/ml. Relative adrenal gland weight in animals aged 112 and 114 days was found to be significantly higher than that in foetuses aged 80, 100, and 106 days. No significant postnatal change in relative adrenal gland weight was recorded from piglets in the first nine days of life.

[Influence of alpha or beta adrenergic antagonists on catecholamine dependent metabolic effects in pigs]. / Einfluss alpha- oder beta-adrenerger Antagonisten auf Katecholamin-bedingte Stoffwechseleffekte beim Schwein.

In 4 Piétrain-pigs and 4 crossbred (Duroc X Landrace) pigs (32-47 kg body weight; b.w.) the effect of an intravenous injection of epinephrine (80 micrograms/kg b.w.) or isoprenaline (55 micrograms/kg b.w.) was investigated during a continuous infusion of 0.9% NaCl-solution (1 ml/min and pig), propranolol or phentolamine (priming dose 100 micrograms/kg b.w. and thereafter 2 micrograms/kg and min over 45 min) on the plasma concentration of glucose, lactate, free fatty acids (FFS) and free over 45 min) on the plasma concentration of glucose, lactate, free fatty acids (FFS) and free glycerol. Furthermore the effect of a continuous infusion of the blocking agents alone was examined in the 4 crossbred animals. Lipolysis was stimulated via beta-adrenergic receptors and was inhibited through an alpha-adrenergic mediated effect in pigs. The lean Piétrain-pigs showed a significant higher response than the crossbred pigs. The catecholamine induced increase in plasma glucose and lactate was equal in both breeds. The rise of glucose concentration resulted from an alpha- and beta-adrenergic component, with the alpha-adrenergic effect dominating. Compared to isoprenaline, the higher increase in plasma lactate after adrenaline injection is attributed to clinical reactions.

[Thyroxine and triiodothyronine blood plasma concentrations in sows and newborn pigs]. / Thyroxin- und Trijodthyroninkonzentration im Blutplasma von Schweinefeten und neugeborenen Ferkeln.

Plasma thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations of 11 sows and their 56 fetuses have been measured by radioimmunoassay between 80--112 days of intrauterine development. Similar measurements were carried out in 20 piglets of 2 litters up to 24 hours of age and in sows; the latter within a period of 3 days before and 3 days after parturition. The average T3 concentration in the fetus was 0.30--0.41 ng/ml, that of T4 showed great variations between the litters. After 106 and 112 days of intrauterine development either a high (84 +/- and 159 +/- 24 ng/ml) or a low T4 concentration (18 +/- 10 and 11 +/- 5ng/ml) has been confirmed. At birth sows had a significantly lower plasma hormone concentration than the newborn piglets. After parturition the T4 concentration than the newborn piglets. After parturition the T4 concentration decreased significantly in the first 12 hours of life, while that of T3 increased significantly. In sows, pre- and intrapartal serum T4 and T3 concentrations were significantly lower than post partum.

[Age-dependence of fructose and galactose tolerance following intravenous loading in piglets]. / Altersabhängigkeit der Fruktose- und Galaktosetoleranz nach intravenöser Stossbelastung von Ferkeln.

Fructose tolerance tests were applied to 54 piglets, aged between zero and 20 hours, two and three, five and seven, as well as 20 and 30 days. Fructose injections per kilogram of body weight were 0.5 g and 1.0 g. Galactose tolerance tests were applied to 33 piglets, aged between zero and 20 hours as well as between five and seven or 20 and 35 days. The galactose dose per kilogram of body weight was 0.5 g. Very slow or no fructose elimination at all was recordable from the circulation of animals, aged between zero and 20 hours, yet, with elimination rates being accelerated along with growing age. Piglets, aged between 20 and 30 days, eliminated fructose from the blood just as fast as glucose (th = 0.49 +/- 0.11 hr). Fructose depressed the glucose levels in the blood in animals, aged between five and seven days, but it failed to do so in animals, aged between 20 and 30 days, Galactose was found to be eliminated speedily from the circulation, that is immediately after birth, a maximum being reached at an age between five and seven days (th = 0.11 +/- 0.02 hr). Fructose space in piglets, aged between five and seven or between 20 and 30 days, was found to be significantly below that recorded from the two younger age groups. Galactose space in piglets, aged between five and seven days, was significantly below that of the other two groups.

[Enzyme arrangement of various tissues in swine. 2. Studies of postpartum development of crude protein levels as well as activities of various enzymes (GOT, GPT, serine dehydratase, xanthine oxidase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase) in liver, kidneys and muscle of piglets]. / Untersuchungen über die Enzymausrüstung verschiedener Gewebe beim Schwein. 2. Mittleilung: Untersuchungen über die Entwicklung des Gehalts an Rohprotein sowie der Aktivität verschiedener Enzyme (GOT, GPT, Serin-Dehydratase, Zanthinoxidase, Fruktose-1,6-diphosphatase) in Leber, Niere und Muskel von Ferkeln nach der Geburt.

Twenty-eight piglets from three litters were analysed for postnatal development (0 to 6 days of age) of the crude protein levels and activities of various enzymes (GOT, GPT, serine dehydratase, xanthinoxidase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase) in the supernatant of liver, kidneys, and muscles. Both the weight and crude protein levels of the liver increased after birth, which improved the capability of metabolic regulation. GOT and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase activities in the liver tissue increased over the first days after birth. Serine dehydratase activity was not detectable with regularity. GPT activity in the tissues concerned was low by comparison to GOT and underwent little postnatal change. The activity of xanthinoxidase in the liver tissue tended to go up after birth. ACTH (3 IU/kg live weight) was administered to piglets aged five days and did not increase the activity of GOT and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase in the liver after five hours.

[Enzyme arrangement of various tissues in swine. 3. Studies of pre- and postnatal activities of various enzymes (ATPase, GOT, GPT, leucine aminopeptidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, aldose reductase, glucuronate reductase, sorbitol dehydrogenase) in various tissues]. / Untersuchungen über die Enzymausrüstung verschiedener Gewebe beim Schwein. 3. Mitteilung: Untersuchungen über die prä- und postnatale Aktivität verschiedener Enzyme (ATPase, GOT, GPT, Leuzinaminopeptidase, saure und alkalische Phosphatase, Aldolreduktase, Glukuronatreduktase, Sorbitdehydrogenase) in einigen Geweben.

The crude protein levels as well as the activities of various enzymes were studied in certain tissues of fetuses (80th through 114th days of development), piglets of different age groups, and pigs for slaughter. In most of the tissues tested the postnatal activities of Na-K-ATPase were beyond those recorded from fetuses. The highest GOT activities were recorded from the liver, myocardium, and kidneys. Activities were found to rise sizeably in some tissues after birth. The activity of GPT, too, exhibited age-dependent variations. The activity of leucine-aminopeptidase increased strongly after birth in liver and kidneys. Acid phosphatase activity was less markedly influenced by development phases. Those enzymes which are involved in the formation of fructose and glucose (aldolreductase, glucuronate-reductase, and sorbite-dehydrogenase) had their highest activities, all age-dependent, in liver and kidneys.

[Age-dependent biokinetic parameters of glucose turnover following intravenous glucose load in piglets]. / Altersabhängigkeit biokinetischer Parameter des Glukoseumsatzes nach intravenöser Stossbelastung von Ferkeln mit Glukose.

Single glucose doses of 0.5 g/kg body weight or 1.0 g/kg were intravenously applied at ambient temperatures between 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C pigs aged between zero and 20 hours two and three, five and seven, ten and 14, 20 and 30 days, and eight weeks. With reference to excess glucose curves in the blood and plasma, the half-life of glucose elimination was graphically determined in a semi-logarithmic system. The result obtained was used to calculate the coefficients of assimilation and distribution, as well as the readily exchangeable pool and the transfer rate of glucose. On the average the half-life of glucose elimination in the five groups of the piglets was identical (0.47 hour); in contrast it was faster in weaners (0.17 hour) than in piglets. With reference to the plasma values, the volume of the glucose distribution decreased continuously with growing age. Average glucose transfer amounted to 1.02 mg/g. hr in weaners and thus was twice as much as that recorded for the five groups of the piglets. Reduction of ambient temperatures between 15 degrees C and 18 degrees C had no bearing on the parameters of 30-day piglets. These findings are likely to suggest that there is no increased glucose turnover within the thermal neutral zone in piglets over the first days of age and, consequently, cannot contribute to the development of hypoglycaemia.

[ACTH-, glucose- and lactate-content of swine plasma during insulin-induced hypoglycemia]. / ACTH-, Glukose- und Laktatgehalt im Blutplasma von Schweinen während einer Insulin-induzierten Hypoglykämie.

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the content of ACTH, glucose and lactate in plasma of 4 pigs (body weight 82--118 kg) during a circadian period and during an insulin hypoglycemia test using 1 IU/kg in 3 pigs (body weight 96--118 kg) and 4 pigs (body weight 20--30 kg). The plasma ACTH level at rest was 57 +/- 27 pg/ml (Mean +/- SE) for all samples in all animals during a circadian period. Significant diurnal changes were not observed. During insulin-induced hypoglycaemia plasma ACTH rose from a mean (+/- SE) basal level of 35 +/- 15 to a maximum of 673 +/- 100 pg/ml at 60 min in heavier pigs and in lighter pigs to 395 +/- 153 at 30 min and 403 +/- 145 pg/ml at 120 min. Initial ACTH responses were evident 30 min (heavier pigs) and between 0 and 15 min (lighter pigs) after insulin administration. Plasma glucose decreased from a mean (+/- SE) basal level of 80 +/- 10 to a minimum of 6 +/- 1 mg/100 ml at 60 min (heavier pigs) and from 88 +/- 3 to 16 +/- 4 mg/100 ml at 60 min (lighter pigs). After its minimum level the glucose concentration showed a slower increment in the heavier pigs as compared to lighter animals. Plasma lactate rose from a mean (+/- SE) basal level of 19 +/- 10 to a maximum of 76 +/- 42 mg/100 ml at 120 min (heavier pigs) and from 12 +/- 3 to 37 +/- 16 mg/100 ml at 150 min (lighter group). In accordance with the changes in the blood plasma levels of ACTH, glucose and lactate, the clinical symptoms of hypoglycaemia in heavier pigs were more intensive.

[The ACTH content of plasma in fetal and newborn swine]. / Zum Gehalt an ACTH im Blutplasma bei Feten und neugeborenen Ferkeln.

ACTH concentration has been estimated radioimmunologically in fetal plasma (100th day of gestation) and in plasma of newborn piglets during the first 24 hours of life and in sows. In comparison to the values of ACTH in sows at the 100th day of gestation during anaesthesia (175 pg/ml) and sows at parturition (235 +/- 77 pg/ml) the concentration in fetal (558 +/- 163 pg/ml) and newborn piglets (448 +/- 158 pg/ml) was much higher. On an average ACTH concentration increased during the first 24 hours of life up to 998 +/- 628 pg/ml. The results are compared to those in other species.

[Concentrations of cortisol, glucose and free fatty acids in the blood plasma of swine in relation to age and in sows close to farrowing]. / Die Konzentration an Kortisol, Glukose und freien Fettsäuren im Blutplasma bei Schweinen in Abhängigkeit vom Alter sowie bei Sauen im Zeitraum der Geburt.

The glucose concentration in sows tends to undergo slight rise within 24 hours from farrowing, while the concentration of free fatty acids declines from the onset of lactation. Cortisol went up on the day of farrowing and dropped afterwards, but neither movement was secured. The plasma values of newborn piglets were compared to those of their dams Cortisol was higher (15.0 +/- 6.4 and 9.7 +/- 3.7 microgram/100 ml), but glucose concentrations were lower (50 +/- 9 and 78 +/- 9 mg/100 ml), while the average levels of free fatty acids were in good agreement. In the nursing period, cortisol dropped to one fifth of the original value within 24 hours from birth and stayed at that level. Glucose increased to a maximum within twelve hours and declined continuously along with progressing nursing period. The level of free fatty acids, too, rose significantly up to the fifth day after birth. Cortisol, glucose, and free fatty acids in store pigs, aged 28 days, were lower than in nursed piglets of the same age.