Lack of Effect of Metyrapone and Exogenous Cortisol on Early Porcine Conceptus Development

In many species, including swine, fetal plasma glucocorticoids such as cortisol increase as term approaches and are responsible for final maturational changes in numerous tissues (e.g. Silver, 1990; Sangild et al. 1993, 1994; Fowden et al. 1995). On the contrary, excessive exposure to glucocorticoids during gestationmay cause intra-uterine growth retardation, developmental abnormalities or death, or lead to increased incidence of certain diseases during adult life (Blackburn et al. 1965; Reinisch et al. 1978; Seckl et al. 2000). Hence, one might speculate that a closely regulated glucocorticoid exposure is necessary throughout gestation to ensure appropriate development and survival (Klemcke et al. 1999). We have previously demonstrated in pregnant and cyclic pigs that intra-uterine cortisol increases 4- to 6.7-fold between days 10 and 19 of pregnancy (Klemcke et al. 1998). At this time (days 10–19) in conceptus (embryo plus associated extra-embryonic membranes) development, the blastocyst is undergoing quite dramatic changes (Marrable, 1971; Anderson, 1978; Anderson et al. 1993). Part of this development involves the allantois, which rapidly expands between days 18 and 30 owing to water accumulation (Bazer et al. 1981) that might in part result from Na+,K+-ATPase-generated water movement (Macknight & Leaf, 1977). Corticosteroids are known to regulate Na+,K+-ATPase in various tissues (e.g. Verrey et al. 1996)

Lack of Effect of Metyrapone and Exogenous Cortisol on Early Porcine Conceptus Development

In many species, including swine, fetal plasma glucocorticoids such as cortisol increase as term approaches and are responsible for final maturational changes in numerous tissues (e.g. Silver, 1990; Sangild et al. 1993, 1994; Fowden et al. 1995). On the contrary, excessive exposure to glucocorticoids during gestationmay cause intra-uterine growth retardation, developmental abnormalities or death, or lead to increased incidence of certain diseases during adult life (Blackburn et al. 1965; Reinisch et al. 1978; Seckl et al. 2000). Hence, one might speculate that a closely regulated glucocorticoid exposure is necessary throughout gestation to ensure appropriate development and survival (Klemcke et al. 1999). We have previously demonstrated in pregnant and cyclic pigs that intra-uterine cortisol increases 4- to 6.7-fold between days 10 and 19 of pregnancy (Klemcke et al. 1998). At this time (days 10–19) in conceptus (embryo plus associated extra-embryonic membranes) development, the blastocyst is undergoing quite dramatic changes (Marrable, 1971; Anderson, 1978; Anderson et al. 1993). Part of this development involves the allantois, which rapidly expands between days 18 and 30 owing to water accumulation (Bazer et al. 1981) that might in part result from Na+,K+-ATPase-generated water movement (Macknight & Leaf, 1977). Corticosteroids are known to regulate Na+,K+-ATPase in various tissues (e.g. Verrey et al. 1996)

Haemostatics in surgery and our experience in the enucleoresection of renal cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>30 patients, with T1 renal cell carcinomas (RCC) who underwent open enucleoresection of the tumour, were randomized to the use of a topical haemostatic agent (Floseal) or to an infrared-sapphire coagulator (ISC), to compare their efficacy in achieving haemostasis. Methods: Successful intra-operative haemostasis, intra- and post-operative bleeding, operative time, hospital discharge were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Statistically higher rates of successful haemostasis and shorter time-to-haemostasis (8,1 vs 12,9 min) were observed in the FloSeal group (p < 0.001 both). Patients operative time was not different between Group 1 vs 2 (58.7 ± 12 vs 62.4 ± 15; p > 0.05). The average blood loss during surgery was less (60 +/- 25.5 mL) for the FloSeal group than for the ISC group (85 +/- 40.5 mL) (p < 0.05). Postoperative blood loss was 25 +/- 5 mL and 40 +/- 45 mL for Floseal and ISC respectively, (p < 0.05). Length of the postoperative hospital discharge was 2.5 +/- 1.2 days for FloSeal group and 3.5 +/- 1.3 for the Group 2 (p < 0.05). No major immediate or delayed complications were observed in either Groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The use of Floseal and ISC offer a safe and efficacy haemostasis in the enucleoresection of RCC. Moreover, our results show a less intra-operative and post-operative blood loss as well as a shorter time to haemostasis of Floseal in respect to ISC.</p

Erythropoietin mRNA expression in pig embryos

To address whether altered erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis might be involved in prenatal pig mortality, studies were conducted to measure porcine embryonic EPO mRNA expression during early gestation (days 24–40). Three pig models differing in embryonic survival from days 24–40 were investigated: intact white crossbred gilts (INT), white crossbred gilts that were unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized before puberty and whose pregnant uterus constituted a crowded environment (UHO), and prolific, intact Meishan gilts (ME). A partial cDNA for porcine EPO, developed via reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction procedures was used to generate a 32P-labeled probe for use in Northern analyses. In an initial study, embryonic liver EPO mRNA was greatest on day 24, decreased by day 30 (P \u3c 0.01), and was barely detectable by day 40. EPO mRNA expression was not influenced by pig model. Placental EPO mRNA expression was detectable in only 4 of 53 placentae examined. In a second study at day 35 of gestation, embryonic liver EPO mRNA expression was measured in the same three pig models and in two embryos of divergent weights from each gilt. Meishan embryos had lower (P \u3c0.01) plasma immunoassayable EPO concentrations (P = 0.04) and higher survival rates (87 ± 2.7%) at day 35 than did white crossbred embryos (75±5%). Liver EPO mRNA expression did not differ among animal models, nor did plasma EPOor tissue EPO mRNA expression differ between large and small embryos. There was no apparent relationship between embryonic development, measured as embryonic and placental size, and plasma EPO concentrations or liver EPO mRNA expression. These results indicate that at the gestational ages examined, the embryonic liver is one source of plasma erythropoietin and suggest that at the ages sampled, EPO is not a limiting factor in embryonic development

Porcine Erythropoietin Receptor: Molecular Cloning and Expression in Embryonic and Fetal Liver

The full coding sequence for porcine erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) was elucidated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (rtPCR) and 39 and 59 rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) procedures. Total RNA collected from Day 30 fetal liver was used as starting material. A 1843 bp sequence was obtained from which could be inferred a 509 amino acid protein which was 79–85% identical to the amino acid sequence of erythropoietin receptor from other species. Total RNA samples collected from white crossbred intact, white crossbred UHO and Meishan gilts on Days 24, 30 and 40 of gestation were subjected to Northern blotting using porcine EPOR cDNA as probe. Results indicated that (1) a major and two minor forms of mRNA are present, (2) fetal liver mRNA concentrations for EPOR are low on Day 24 of gestation and increase dramatically by Day 30 and (3) mRNA concentrations for EPOR tended to be decreased by intrauterine crowding

The effects of birth weight on basal cardiovascular function in pigs at 3 months of age

In man, epidemiological studies have shown that low birth weight (BW) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. In this study, the long-term consequences of variations in natural BW on basal cardiovascular function were investigated in pigs at 3 months of postnatal age. Low (&lt; 1.41 kg; n = 20) and high (&gt; 1.52 kg; n = 20) BW Large White piglets were selected from a total of 12 litters for study at 3 months of age. Basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded for ~30 min using standard recording equipment and basal arterial blood samples were taken for hormone analyses. Concentrations of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were also measured in kidney, lung and plasma. Basal MAP, but not HR, in 3-month-old pigs was significantly inversely related to BW and positively related to the ratio of head length to BW. Postnatal growth rate of low BW pigs was slower than that of high BW pigs such that low BW piglets remained significantly smaller at 3 months of age. There were no differences in basal plasma adrenaline or cortisol concentrations between low and high BW pigs. However, basal plasma noradrenaline concentrations were significantly elevated in low BW compared to high BW pigs. Renal and pulmonary ACE levels were significantly reduced in low BW compared to high BW pigs. These data show that basal MAP in 3-month-old pigs is negatively associated with BW and positively correlated to disproportionate size at birth. This effect was associated with an increase in basal plasma noradrenaline concentrations. <br/

Prolonged Suppression of Plasma LH Levels in Male Rats after a Single Injection of an LH‐RH Agonist in Poly(DL‐Lactide‐Co‐Glycolide) Microcapsules

The authors have examined the effects of a subcutaneous injection of the LH‐RH agonist D‐Trp6‐LH‐RH formulated in biodegradable poly(DL‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) microcapsules on plasma levels of D‐Trp6LH‐RH, LH, and PRL in adult, gonadectomized male rats. Immunoreactive D‐Trp6‐LH‐RH was detectable in the plasma of these animals at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after injection. LH concentrations were greatly reduced 1 week after administering the D‐Trp6‐LH‐RH microcapsule, continued to decrease during the following week, and remained suppressed until the end of the study, 6 weeks after the injection. Plasma PRL levels appeared elevated 1 to 2 weeks after the injection and suppressed thereafter, but these effects were significant only in animals rendered hyperprolactinemic by transplantation of an isologous pituitary under the renal capsule. These results demonstrate that an LH‐RH agonist formulated in biodegradable microcapsules and administered as a subcutaneous injection can exert marked biologic effects in rats for at least 6 weeks. These findings also suggest that prolonged exposure to an LH‐RH agonist may first produce stimulation, followed by an inhibition of PRL release from both in situ and ectopic pituitaries