The effects of dietary net energy on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics of market gilts managed with immunological suppression of ovarian function and estrus (Improvest).

The objective was to determine the effects of net energy (NE) during the grow-finish period on live performance and carcass characteristics of market gilts managed with immunological suppression of ovarian function and estrus (Improvest®; IMP) compared with market gilts not managed with Improvest (CON). The 104-d study began when 1,008 gilts (11 wk old; average starting weight of 30.8 kg) were allocated by weight to 48 pens with 21 gilts/pen. Half of the pens were randomly selected to be managed with Improvest while the other half of the pens were not managed with Improvest. Three dietary programs differing in their NE were formulated over five dietary phases (according to standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements) to provide an average of 2,218 kcal/kg (low NE), 2,343 kcal/kg (medium NE), or 2,468 kcal/kg (high NE). The experiment was designed as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Improvest management and NE. For the overall study period, there were no significant interactions (P ≥ 0.20) for average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), or Gain:Feed (G:F). There were also no significant interactions between Improvest management and NE (P ≥ 0.30) for carcass characteristics. However, IMP gilts consumed more feed (6.8% greater ADFI; P < 0.01), grew faster (5.0% greater ADG; P < 0.01), were less efficient (1.8% lower G:F; P < 0.01), heavier (3.5 kg hot carcass weight; P < 0.01), and fatter (1.9 mm greater backfat thickness and 1.26% less predicted lean carcass yield; P < 0.01). No difference (P = 0.21) in carcass dressing percentage between IMP and CON gilts was reported. For the overall study period, gilts fed low NE and medium NE diets consumed more feed compared with gilts fed high NE diets (6.8% more ADFI for low NE and 5.7% more for medium NE; P < 0.01), and gilts fed low NE diets grew 2.5% slower (P < 0.01) than gilts fed medium NE diets, while gilts fed high NE diets were intermediate and not different from the other NE treatments. This resulted in gilts fed Low NE diets being the least efficient (3.8% lower G:F than medium NE and 7.1% lower G:F than High NE; P < 0.01). Overall, these data indicate that typical Improvest response levels were sustained at each of the NE treatments evaluated in this study as there were no significant interactions for Improvest management and NE; however, consideration should still be provided to the known production impacts of low NE diets.

The effects of dietary net energy on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics of male market pigs managed with immunological castration (Improvest).

The objective was to determine the effects of dietary net energy (NE) during the grow-finish period on live performance and carcass characteristics of intact male pigs managed with immunological castration (Improvest) compared with physically castrated (PC) male pigs. The 101-d study began when 1,008 pigs (504 intact male pigs and 504 PC male pigs; 10 wk old) were allocated by weight to 48 pens with 21 intact males or 21 PC males per pen. Three dietary NE treatments were fed to pigs using five dietary phases (dietary programs were formulated according to standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements of Improvest males or PC males) to provide an average of 2,212 kcal/kg (low NE), 2,337 kcal/kg (medium NE), or 2,462 kcal/kg (high NE). The experiment was designed and analyzed as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Improvest management and NE. For the overall study period, there were no significant interactions between Improvest management and NE (P ≥ 0.19) for average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), or gain:feed (G:F). There were also no significant interactions between Improvest management and NE (P ≥ 0.06) for carcass characteristics. Improvest males consumed less feed (5.3% lower ADFI; P < 0.01), grew faster (5.1% greater ADG; P < 0.01), and were more efficient (11.2% greater G:F; P < 0.01) compared with PC males. Hot carcass weight (HCW) did not differ (P = 0.16) between Improvest males and PC males (attributed to 1.6 percentage unit lower dressing percentage for Improvest males; P < 0.01); however, Improvest males were leaner (0.9 mm less backfat and 0.65% greater predicted lean yield; P < 0.01) compared with PC males. For the overall study period, pigs fed low NE and medium NE diets consumed 7.5% and 4.6% more feed (P < 0.01) than pigs fed high NE diets, respectively, and pigs fed low NE diets grew 1.7% slower (P < 0.02) than pigs fed medium NE and high NE diets. This resulted in pigs fed low NE diets having 4.4% lower G:F compared with pigs fed medium NE and 8.6% lower G:F compared with pigs fed high NE diets (P < 0.01). Pigs fed low NE had 3.0 kg lighter (P < 0.01) HCW compared with medium NE, while high NE had intermediate HCW that did not differ from the other two treatments. Overall, typical Improvest response levels for live performance and carcass characteristics when compared with PC males were achieved for each of the NE treatments evaluated in this study.

A summary review of carcass cutability data comparing primal value of immunologically and physically castrated barrows.

The objectives were to 1) assess cutability, quality, and value of carcasses from immunologically castrated (IC) barrows compared with carcasses from physically castrated (PC) barrows and 2) evaluate the effect of hot carcass weight (HCW) on cutability and value of IC barrows summarizing U.S. data. Lean cutting yield (LCY) was defined as: LCY = [(whole ham + trimmed loin + Boston butt + picnic + spareribs)/chilled side wt] x 100. Carcass cutting yield (CCY) was determined using the following equation: CCY = [(lean cutting yield components + natural fall belly)/chilled side wt] x 100. To evaluate the effects of HCW of IC barrows on carcass cutting yields, IC barrows were grouped by HCW: light ( < 90.9 kg), average (90.9-97.7 kg), or heavy ( > 97.7 kg). Differences in the value of the carcass components for IC and PC barrow carcasses were calculated using a 5 yr average of meat prices from the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service and the carcass cutting yield estimates generated from this summary. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with fixed effects of Improvest treatment or HCW group. Study was included as a random effect. This review allowed for a summarization of the treatment averages of 851 IC and PC barrow carcasses. Lean cutting yield of IC barrows was 1.41 units greater (P < 0.0001) than PC barrows (70.97 vs. 69.56%). Similarly, CCY of IC barrows was 1.29 units greater (P < 0.001) compared with PC barrows (87.27 vs. 85.98%). As HCW of IC barrows increased, both CCY and LCY declined (P < 0.01), with light IC barrow carcasses having a 1.43 unit advantage in CCY compared with heavy IC barrow carcasses (P < 0.01). Natural fall bellies of PC barrows comprised a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of side weight than those from IC barrows (15.81 vs. 15.50%). A reduction in belly primal value was confirmed by a 3.43 unit reduction in the commercial bacon slicing yields of IC barrows. However, belly yield and slicing yield differences were minimized when IC barrows were marketed at a heavier weight. Using carcass cutout estimates determined in the summary as the foundation for value calculations, lean cuts of IC barrow carcasses were worth $2.66 to $3.80 more than PC barrow carcasses. Therefore, after adjustment for the reduction in belly primal value, the primal value of an IC barrow carcass was $2.08 to $3.13 greater than a PC barrow carcass.

The amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) of type I collagen is a clinically valid indicator of bone turnover and extent of metastatic spread in osseous metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy control for the treatment of bone metastases in breast cancer is difficult and usually initiated later and with longer time between treatment cycles than the restaging of visceral or soft tissue metastases. The amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) of type I collagen as a biochemical indicator of bone turnover might facilitate early and valid disease surveillance. The utility of total PINP was investigated in metastatic breast cancer patients, with or without bone metastases (for monitoring of therapy). The results were compared to the established markers, osteocalcin and beta-carboxyterminal telopeptide (CTX) or crosslaps concentration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Baseline serum samples of 51 patients with metastastic breast cancer under chemotherapy were investigated. In total, 38 patients had been diagnosed with bone metastases while 13 had no evidence of metastastic spread to the bone. All the patients with bone spread received bisphosphonates in addition to systemic chemotherapy and/or antibody therapy or hormonal treatment. Osteocalcin, CTX and PINP levels were measured on an Elecsys 2010 analyzer (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay--ECLIA). The normal cut-off values were: osteocalcin < 41.3 pg/ml, CTX < 1008 pg/ml and PINP < 95 ng/ml. Based on overall treatment outcome, the patients were grouped as responders (CR/PR), with stable disease (SD) or displaying primary progression (PD). RESULTS: The baseline levels of PINP were significantly higher in patients with bone metastases (median: 92.8 ng/ml) than in those without (median: 63.2 ng/ml, p = 0.044). Patients with more than seven bone metastases had significantly higher PINP levels (median: 149.7 ng/ml) than those with fewer than seven (median: 67.6 ng/ml, p = 0.04). Significant differences were also found for osteocalcin and CTX, at p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively, although the median levels remained under the normal cut-off levels. In terms of response assessment of bone spread, the PINP concentrations decreased in responders from 194.3 ng/ml to 100.4 ng/ml (p = 0.23). In patients with SD, PINP remained at the same level of approximately 70 ng/ml (p = 0.16), but increased in patients with PD from 83.4 ng/ml to 176.5 ng/ml (p = 0.14). These trends rather than statistical difference were probably due to the limited patient cohort. No differences were found for the serum concentrations of PINP, CTX and osteocalcin between post- and pre-menopausal women. CONCLUSION: The PINP levels of the osseous metastatic breast cancer patients were elevated at baseline in comparison to those without bone involvement; the levels correlated to the number of bone metastases but were independent of the menopausal status. Thus, the levels of PINP under therapy might correlate with the response to therapy. Osteocalcin and CTX did not show similar sensitivity for the surveillance of bone metastases.

Perspectives of immunotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.

Further improvements in the treatment of breast cancer can be expected with a better understanding of its pathophysiology and through biologically-oriented therapeutic interventions, as well as better identification of patient populations likely to benefit from specific therapies. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is the first biological modifier, showing significant activity in patients with advanced breast cancer who exhibit HER-2/neu gene amplification and/or protein overexpression. Trastuzumab is approved for use in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy. Combinations of a taxane, a platinum salt and trastuzumab are feasible and active and have proven an increased survival advantage. This is in addition to the benefit that has been shown for Herceptin in combination with monochemotherapy alone. Several groups have demonstated the ratio of serum HER-2/neu levels prior to initiation of Herceptin treatment to levels at the time of re-staging examination to be significantly higher in patients with a significant benefit from therapy as compared to patients with progressive disease. As a result of the survival improvements in the metastatic setting, Herceptin was quickly entered into development trials for adjuvant treatment. The significant cardiac toxicity that has been observed with trastuzumab/anthracycline combinations has led to two main strategies for integrating trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting: either the addition of trastuzumab to mostly anthracycline-based programs in a sequential approach, or the biologically-oriented strategy based on synergism between trastuzumab and chemotherapy agents including platinum compounds. Last but not least, the most important prerequisite for the optimal efficacy of Herceptin-based therapy remains a very strict selection of those patients with tumours that have HER-2/neu over-expression.

Operative Hysteroscopy: Results, Security Aspects, In Vitro Simulation Training (Hysterotrainer)

To date, hysteroscopy has become an integral part of the overall gynecologic surgical concept. In 156 women results of intrauterine hysteroscopic surgery are demonstrated to be at least comparable to those of conventional procedures. Moreover, a meta analysis of the literature (n = 10,000) as well as our own experience (n = 200) supports the view that complication rates may be minimized by a well-structured training program which includes the recently developed in vitro simulation trainer, the HysteroTrainer.

[The bipolar needle electrode in surgical laparoscopy. Initial technical experimental and clinical results]. / Die bipolare Nadelelektrode in der operativen Laparoskopie. Erste experimentell-technische und klinische Ergebnisse.

To date the tremendous spread of operative laparoscopic procedures associated with monopolar high-frequency techniques has lead to an increase in complications caused by monopolar leakage currents. Experimental-surgical measurements on minipigs have shown no significant leakage currents in clinical relevant power range during laparoscopic application of a bipolar needle electrode as compared to monopolar electrodes. Practicability and safety of the bipolar electrode was proven in 100 operative laparoscopies for organ preserving or reconstructive surgery. In summary, with the new laparoscopic bipolar needle electrode a secure surgical instrument is available, with which finest tissue handling and minimal thermal damage feasible.

[Thermal preparation techniques in gynecologic endoscopy--technical, experimental and clinical results (n=2000)]. / Thermische Präparationstechniken in der gynäkologischen Endoskopie--technische, experimentelle und klinische Ergebnisse (n = 2000).

A comparative study on thermal, mainly laser and high frequency electrosurgical techniques, was conducted. Indications, handling and morphometric results were correlated. Morphometrical findings suggest that minimal thermal tissue damage is associated by a decrease in the hemostatic effect. Additional bipolar coagulation is necessary when using the carbon dioxide laser or high frequency electrodes. As thermal tissue lesion is concerned, the two techniques differ only slightly, by fractions of millimeters. Concerning clinical handling and practicability at our department, as well as in the centers participating at the European Consensus Study on Lasers in Gynaecology, high frequency electrosurgery has proven the method of choice for endoscopic ablative procedures. The carbon dioxide laser (at laparoscopy) and the Nd:YAG contact laser (at hysteroscopy) are preferentially employed for reconstructive surgery (e.g. the carbon dioxide laser for treatment of distal tubal pathology or endometriosis, the Nd:YAG contact laser for hysteroscopic synechiolysis).

[Palliative laser therapy in gynecologic oncology]. / Palliative Lasertherapie in der gynäkologischen Onkologie.

Local recurrences of carcinomas of the breast and genitals are a severe psychic and physical strain on the patients. Continuous confrontation with an often visible and generally painful tumour manifestation is an indication for palliative treatment, if other oncological therapies can no longer be employed. In these cases, the possibility of laser use represents a new therapeutic approach. In a pilot study at the University of Heidelberg, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a palliative laser therapy was performed on 45 patients with locally recurrent carcinomas of the breast (n = 29) and genitals (n = 16). Carbon dioxide and Nd:YAG lasers were utilized for tumour resection, vaporisation and coagulation. This new concept, the combined application of both wavelengths has been proved to be most efficient.

Laser palliation of locoregional recurrences of breast cancer.

The paper reports on the use of carbon dioxide and Nd:YAG lasers for palliation of locoregional breast cancer recurrences. On the basis of three case reports, pros and cons of laser assisted treatment of loco-regionally recurrent breast cancer are discussed. A carbon dioxide--Nd:YAG combination therapy is proposed as the method best suited. The preliminary results indicate that laser palliation of local relapse and soft tissue metastases might enlarge the therapeutic spectrum.

Laser surgery in gynecological oncology. Part I: Experimental results. Relapse and metastatic behaviour of the Lewis lung carcinoma subsequent to CO2 laser surgery of the primary tumor. An experimental model to compare the effectiveness of various CO2 laser application techniques.

The influence of various CO2 laser surgical techniques on tumor behaviour was examined in an experimental model on C56BL/6 mice (n = 106) with Lewis Lung carcinomas and compared with that of scalpel excised tumors. Comparisons were made between the healing procedure, the local recurrence rate, metastatic behaviour and the survival rate (n = 86) of mice after laser surgical excision of tumors, using the superpulsed and continuous wave techniques, with and without additional vaporisation of the wound, as well as after general vaporisation only.

Estrous and litter traits in gilts altered by altrenogest, flushing and pubertal status.

Influences of estrous synchronization with altrenogest and flushing on reproductive traits in gilts were evaluated in three experiments on two farms. Crossbred gilts were fed altrenogest or altrenogest and an additional 1.55 kg ground sorghum grain for at least 10 d before breeding (flushing), or served as controls. Additional grain for the flushing treatment was provided to gilts from the eighth day of altrenogest treatment until they were detected in estrus. The combination of altrenogest and flushing (on Farm A) increased (P less than .05) litter size when compared with gilts treated only with altrenogest and controls that received neither altrenogest nor flushing. This response was entirely among gilts inseminated at their pubertal estrus. For pubertal gilts fed altrenogest and the flushing treatment, litter traits were similar to other treated or control gilts inseminated at a postpubertal estrus. No treatment effects on litter size were detected for gilts inseminated at a postpubertal estrus. Gilts on Farm B responded differently, with larger litter sizes (P = .08) for those treated with altrenogest and flushing plus altrenogest than for control gilts. Reasons for farm differences might be unidentified genetic or management factors or different seasons of the year when gilts were treated on Farm B (summer) vs Farm A (fall, winter and spring). Our results indicate a marked potential for increasing litter size in gilts mated at their pubertal estrus because their unstimulated ovulation rate (no altrenogest or flushing) did not challenge adequately the biological capacity of their uteri.

Isoprinosine and levamisole immunomodulation in artificially reared neonatal pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the capability of isoprinosine (ISO) and levamisole (LEV) to augment delayed-type hypersensitivity and lymphocyte blastogenic reactions in artificially reared pigs. Sow-reared pigs (n = 15) were kept with their dams; artificially reared pigs (n = 15) were removed from sows within 2 days after parturition and reared artificially for 21 days. Isoprinosine was administered orally (75 mg/kg/day) from days 0 to 10. Levamisole (2 mg) was injected subcutaneously on days 5 and 10. Control pigs were given distilled water orally from days 0 to 10 and injected subcutaneously with 0.15M NaCl on days 5 and 10. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen were evaluated at week 2. The phytohemagglutinin skin-test responses were evaluated in all pigs at weeks 1 and 3 of the trial. Hematologic values, body weight, and mortality were evaluated each week. The skin-test responses and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses were lower (P less than 0.05) in artificially reared controls when compared with responses in sow-reared pigs. However, ISO and LEV enhanced (P less than 0.05) the responses in the artificially reared pigs to values comparable with those of the sow-reared controls. Body weight was greater (P less than 0.01) in sow-reared pigs than in artificially reared pigs; drug treatment did not influence weight gain. These data indicated that immunopotentiation of the cellular immune responsiveness of artificially reared pigs may be possible with ISO or LEV.

The effect of sarcoptic mange on growth performance, leukocytes and lymphocyte proliferative responses in pigs.

The effects of a single artificial infestation with sarcoptic mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis DeGeer) on weight gain and lymphocyte blastogenic responses were studied in untreated and fenvalerate-treated pigs. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency were monitored for 5 weeks in 32 infested and 16 uninfested pigs. Total and differential leukocyte counts were determined and lymphocyte proliferative responses, using a mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis assay, were evaluated in 24 pigs. Sarcoptic mite infestation or treatment for sarcoptic mange did not affect total or differential leukocyte counts (P greater than 0.10). Differences were not observed in weight gain or lymphocyte blastogenic responses between infested and uninfested pigs.

Decreased mononuclear cell response to mitogens in artificially reared neonatal pigs.

The influence of two rearing methods for neonatal pigs on mononuclear cell responses to mitogens was studied. Littermate pigs were reared artificially or on the sow. Artificially reared pigs displayed a leukocytosis (P less than 0.05) characterized by an increase (P less than 0.05) in mature and immature neutrophils. Skin-test responses to intradermal injections of phytohemagglutinin were less (P less than 0.05) in artificially reared pigs than in sow-reared controls. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogenic stimulation were approximately 50% lower (P less than 0.05) in artificially reared pigs than in sow-reared pigs. These data suggest that artificial rearing lowers in vivo and in vitro lymphocyte responses in neonatal pigs.

Body growth and testicular characteristics of boars fed a synthetic progestogen, altrenogest.

A synthetic progestogen (altrenogest) was fed to 24 Yorkshire X Duroc boars to determine effects on body growth, serum testosterone, and testicular characteristics. Boars from six litters (blocks) were allotted randomly to one of four treatment groups at 12 wk of age. Treatment groups were: controls, altrenogest fed for 3 wk, altrenogest fed for 6 wk and altrenogest fed for 9 wk. Treatment began at 15 wk of age at a daily dose of 20 mg X boar-1. Although there were no differences among treatment groups for gain and feed intake, boars fed altrenogest for 6 and 9 wk tended to consume more feed and were less (P less than .05) efficient than boars fed altrenogest for 3 wk or controls. Boars fed altrenogest for 3, 6 and 9 wk maintained lower (P less than .05) peripheral serum testosterone concentrations than controls from 15 to 24 wk of age. However, serum testosterone increased after altrenogest withdrawal in the 3- and 6-wk treatment groups but did not reach control concentrations by 24 wk. Boars fed altrenogest for 9 wk maintained serum testosterone below 1 ng/ml during the treatment period. Despite lower concentrations of serum testosterone in altrenogest-treated boars, backfat thickness was similar to controls, perhaps suggesting a slight anabolic effect of altrenogest on nutrient partitioning. Testicular weights and volumes at 24 wk decreased (P less than .001) linearly with increased duration of altrenogest feeding. Serum testosterone and estradiol in testicular venous effluent at castration were lower (P less than .01) in altrenogest-treated boars than in controls. These data demonstrate that feeding altrenogest inhibits both testicular growth and steroidogenesis of boars without altering body growth or backfat thickness.

Immunologic reactions of pigs regrouped at or near weaning.

Using 64 pigs, 2 experiments (32 pigs each) were conducted to evaluate the effects of regrouping nonlittermate pigs at weaning or 2 weeks after weaning on mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, intradermal reactions to phytohemagglutinin, and primary antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes. Plasma cortisol concentrations were determined in all pigs and behavior of regrouped pigs was monitored. Compared with control values, plasma cortisol concentrations were higher in nonlittermate pigs regrouped at weaning (P less than 0.001) or 2 weeks after weaning (P less than 0.01). However, regrouping pigs at weaning or 2 weeks after weaning did not influence lymphocyte blastogenesis, phytohemagglutinin skin-test responses, or antibody titers to sheep erythrocytes. Plasma cortisol concentrations were not related to agonistic behavior in regrouped pigs or to lymphocyte blastogenic or phytohemagglutinin skin-test responses; however, higher plasma cortisol concentrations were related (P less than 0.05) to lower sheep erythrocyte antibody titers. These data indicate that regrouping nonlittermate pigs at weaning or 2 weeks after weaning is an acute stressor that does not detrimentally affect mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, intradermal reactions to phytohemagglutinin, or primary antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes.

Altrenogest and fat for summer breeding of primiparous sows.

Delaying the onset of estrus after weaning and adding fat to the postweaning diet were studied for their effects on estrus and fertility in 232 crossbred primiparous sows on a commercial swine farm. Sows were assigned randomly to the following treatments after weaning in June, July, August, or September, 1983: 1) altrenogest (20 mg/d) was fed for 7 d after weaning (n = 76), 2) altrenogest was fed for 7 d plus .53 kg dried animal and vegetable fat product (.45 kg actual fat/d) for 14 d after weaning (n = 78), or 3) no treatment (controls, n = 78). While a similar proportion of sows came into heat after weaning (lactation length = 4 wk), sows fed altrenogest (14.4 +/- .2 d) returned to estrus about 9 d later (P less than .01) than controls (5.6 +/- .2 d). Serum progesterone concentration was assayed in blood samples collected from a subgroup (74%) of the cows not observed in estrus by 3 wk after weaning to determine possible causes of anestrus. If serum progesterone (greater than 5 ng/ml) was elevated, we assumed that sows had ovulated without expressing estrus (behavioral anestrus) or ovulated with undetected estrus (less overt estrus or error in estrous detection), whereas low progesterone (less than or equal to 5 ng/ml) indicated that sows were anovulatory. About 53% of the sows not observed in estrus across all treatments had luteal function, probably resulting from post-weaning ovulation. Incidence of anovulation without estrus was 47%. Farrowing rate was higher (P less than .05) for sows fed only altrenogest (64%) compared with controls (46%), but similar to fat supplemented, altrenogest-treated sows (52%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Deoxynivalenol-contaminated wheat in swine diets.

Two studies were conducted using Fusarium graminearum-infected (scabby) wheat containing 6.8 ppm deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly called vomitoxin, substituted for normal wheat in starter pig diets to give varying levels of DON. After 3 wk on experimental treatments, one-half of the pigs in trial one were sacrificed to evaluate the effects of DON on heart, kidney, spleen and liver. Analyses for DON residues in these tissues were also performed. The remaining 16 pigs were placed on a conventional diet for 4 wk to evaluate effects of DON on subsequent animal performance. A different sample of scabby wheat containing 4.9 ppm of DON was substituted for sorghum grain in growing-finishing pig diets to give varying concentrations of DON. At the end of the 42-d feeding period, eight pigs were slaughtered to evaluate the effects of DON on selected tissues. Results of the three trials suggest that feed intake was reduced when DON concentrations in the swine diets neared or exceeded 1 ppm. No apparent signs of disease, including vomiting, were observed in experimental animals. Histological evaluation revealed no significant lesions or abnormalities related to DON ingestion in tissues examined. Traces of DON (8 to 28 ppb, wet weight) were found in kidney, liver, spleen and heart of starter pigs consuming the diets containing DON up to time of slaughter. No DON was found in tissues of growing-finishing pigs that were withdrawn from feed about 12 h before slaughter.

Serum ferritin and total iron-binding capacity to estimate iron storage in pigs.

The inability to accurately determine storage iron in baby pigs limits the development of new treatment programs. In pigs treated neonatally with iron dextran, serum ferritin had increased dramatically at ten days of age and then returned to near preinjection levels by 50 days of age. In contrast, serum ferritin in untreated pigs declined until they were offered creep feed at 21 days of age. When serum ferritin, serum iron, serum total iron-binding capacity, erythrocyte number, packed cell volume, and blood hemoglobin were measured in three-week-old pigs, serum ferritin combined with serum total iron-binding capacity correlated significantly with the total nonheme iron in the liver and spleen. The nonheme iron (in mg) could be predicted (r2 = 0.71) by the following expression: 8.7 + 0.6 (ferritin in ng/ml).