Housing Conditions and a Challenge with Lipopolysaccharide on the Day of Estrus Can Influence Gene Expression of the Corpus Luteum in Gilts.

Abstract: The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland that plays a decisive role in the reproductive physiology of gilts. Recently, it has been suggested that exogenous factors may compromise the normal functioning of the CL. In the present study, we aimed to understand to what extent an acute and systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the day of estrus could compromise gene expression of gilts' CLs housed in different welfare conditions. For this, we housed 42 gilts in three different housing systems: crates, indoor group pens, and outdoor housing. Then, we challenged six females from each group with LPS and eight with saline (SAL) on the day of estrus. After slaughtering the gilts on the fifth day after the challenge, ovaries were collected for gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR. Housing system and LPS challenge did not have a significant interaction for any genes evaluated; thus, their effects were studied separately. We identified significant (p < 0.05) downregulation of the angiogenic genes VEGF and FTL1 among LPS-challenged animals. Meanwhile, we also observed upregulation of HSD3B1 gene among LPS-challenged animals. We found that STAR and LHCGR genes were differentially expressed depending on the housing system, which indicates that the environment may affect adaptation capabilities. Our results indicate that an acute health challenge on the estrus day alters CL gene expression; however, the role of the housing system remains uncertain

Planned Fiscal Consolidations and Growth Forecast Errors -- New Panel Evidence on Fiscal Multipliers

This paper analyzes the effect of planned fiscal consolidation on GDP growth forecast errors from the years 2010-2013 using cross section analyses and fixed effects estimations. Our main findings are that fiscal multipliers have been underestimated in most instances for the year 2011 while we find little to no evidence for the years 2010 and especially the latter years 2012/13. Since the underestimation of fiscal multipliers seems to have decreased over time, it may indicate learning effects of forecasters. However, the implications for fiscal policy should be considered with caution as a false forecast of fiscal multipliers does not confirm that austerity is the wrong fiscal approach but only suggests a too optimistic assessment of fiscal multipliers for the year 2011.Diese Arbeit analysiert den Effekt geplanter fiskalischer Konsolidierungen auf den Prognosefehler des BIP-Wachstums für die Jahre 2010-2013 mittels Querschnittsanalysen und Fixed Effects Modellen. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass fiskalische Multiplikatoren im Jahr 2011 in den meisten Fällen unterschätzt wurden, während für das Jahr 2010 und speziell die späteren Jahre 2012 und 2013 wenig bis gar kein Anzeichen einer Unterschätzung zu finden ist. Die Unterschätzung fiskalischer Multiplikatoren nimmt mit der Zeit ab, was ein Zeichen für Lerneffekte bei der Prognose sein könnte. Die Implikationen für die Fiskalpolitik sollte allerdings vorsichtig betrachtet werden, da ein falscher fiskalischer Multiplikator nicht impliziert, dass Austerität das falsche haushaltspolitische Vorgehen ist. Es ist lediglich eine zu positive Einschätzung fiskalischer Multiplikatoren für das Jahr 2011 festzustellen