Climatic factors associated with reproductive performance in English Berkshire pigs and crossbred pigs between Landrace and Large White raised in a subtropical climate region of Japan.

Our objective was to characterize Berkshire female pigs associated with climatic factors by examining the interactions between two pig groups (pure English Berkshire females and crossbred females between Landrace and Large White) for reproductive performance in a humid subtropical zone. We analyzed 63,227 first-service records of 11,992 females in 12 herds. Climate data were obtained from four weather stations located close to the herds. Mean daily maximum temperatures (Tmax) and daily average relative humidity (ARH) for different time periods around servicing and farrowing of each female were coordinated with that female's reproductive performance data. Multilevel mixed-effects models were applied to the data. There were two-way interactions between the pig groups and either Tmax or ARH for weaning-to-first-mating interval (WMI) and number of total pigs born (TPB; P < 0.05). The WMI in Berkshire sows increased by 0.64 days as Tmax increased from 20 to 30 °C (P < 0.05), whereas in crossbred sows it only increased by 0.09 days over the same Tmax range. In contrast, WMI in Berkshire sows only increased by 0.01 days as ARH increased from 60 to 80 % (P < 0.05), whereas in crossbred sows it increased by 0.32 days. In Berkshire females, TPB decreased by 0.3 pigs as Tmax increased from 20 to 30 °C (P < 0.05), whereas that in crossbred females decreased by 0.4 pigs (P < 0.05). Therefore, we recommend producers apply advanced cooling systems for Berkshire females.

Lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations associated with dog body condition score; effect of recommended fasting duration on sample concentrations in Japanese private clinics.

The objectives of this study were to survey clinics' guidance about recommended fasting duration (FD) prior to lipoprotein analysis, and to characterize lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in obese and overweight dogs categorized on the basis of the 5-point body condition score (BCS) scale. A dataset was created from lipoprotein analysis medical records of 1,538 dogs from 75 breeds in 354 clinics from 2012 to 2013. A phone survey was conducted to obtain the clinics' FD. Two-level linear mixed-effects models were applied to the data. Over 50% of the clinics said they recommended fasting for 12 hr or more. Dogs in clinics with FD 12 hr or more had lower chylomicron triglyceride concentrations than those in clinics with FD less than 8 hr (P=0.05). Mean (± SEM) BCS at sampling was 3.7 ± 0.02. Obese and overweight dogs had higher very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations than ideal dogs (P<0.05), but no such difference was found for low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (P≥0.07). Across all BCS, as dog age rose from 0 to 8 years old, HDL cholesterol concentrations decreased by 13.5 mg/dl, whereas VLDL triglyceride concentrations increased by 81.7 mg/dl (P<0.05). In conclusion, FD of 8 hr or less may affect lipoprotein lipid concentrations. Obese and overweight dogs were characterized as having high VLDL and HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

Lifetime reproductive performance and survival of English Berkshire female pigs raised in commercial herds in subtropical Japan.

The objective of the present study was to compare lifetime reproductive performance and survival probability of English Berkshire female pigs and crossbred females in a subtropical region of Japan. We analyzed records of 20,417 females entered into the 12 herds in Southern Japan from 2003 to 2007. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were conducted to compare the lifetime reproductive performance of the Berkshire and crossbred females. Multilevel mixed-effects models were conducted to compare the lifetime reproductive performance of the Berkshire and crossbred females. Also, a multilevel proportional hazard model was used to examine the survival probabilities for the two breeds. Berkshire gilts were 39.8 days older at first-mating than crossbred gilts (P = 0.05). The pigs born alive (PBA) in Berkshire and crossbred gilts increased from 5.8 to 6.9 pigs and from 10.7 to 11.1 pigs, respectively, as age at first-mating increased from 220 to 310 days old (P < 0.05). More Berkshire gilts were culled for reproductive failure than crossbred gilts (7.5 vs. 3.8 %; P < 0.05). Also, Berkshire females had 2.7 lower parity at removal, 224.4 days lower reproductive herd-life, and 4.2 pigs fewer average lifetime PBA than crossbred females (P < 0.05) and tended to have a lower survival probability (P = 0.05). In summary, Berkshire females had later puberty, were more sensitive to age at first-mating for increasing PBA, and had lower fertility and a lower survival probability than crossbred females in commercial herds.

Dog age and breeds associated with high plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

The objectives of this study were to set specific dog breed and sex standards for total cholesterol (T-Cho) and total triglyceride (T-TG) concentrations in dogs and to quantify the associations between dog age and concentrations of both lipids for different breeds. Increased age was associated with higher T-Cho and T-TG concentrations in all five breed groups (P<0.05); T-Cho concentrations increased by 62.5 mg/dl between 9 and 16 years of age, and T-TG concentrations increased by 4.8 mg/dl per year of age (P<0.05). Miniature Schnauzers had the highest T-Cho concentrations of the studied breeds, while Miniature Dachshunds had the lowest concentrations (P<0.05). Veterinarians should consider dog age and breed when they use the lipid concentrations for diagnostic purposes.

Novel phenolic glycosides, adenophorasides A-E, from Adenophora roots.

Five novel phenolic glycosides, adenophorasides A (1), B (2), C (3), D (4), and E (5), were isolated from commercial Adenophora roots, together with vanilloloside (6), 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol 7-O-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (7), and lobetyolin (8). The structures of the new compounds (1-5) were characterized as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (1), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-beta-D: -glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-alpha-L: -rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (3), 4-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile 4-O-beta-D: -glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (4), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol 4-O-beta-D: -glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (5), respectively, by means of spectroscopic and chemical analyses.