Measuring birth weight and umbilical cord diameter at birth to predict subsequent performance in swine

Abstract In the swine industry, pre-weaning mortality, umbilical hernia incidence and pig market weight are a few contributing factors affecting profitability and welfare on farm. Therefore, the ability to reliably predict any of these outcomes is valuable to swine operations. Mortality during the pre-weaning phase, umbilical hernia incidence and poor-quality finisher pigs can represent a multi-million dollar loss and increase in welfare concerns to the producer. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether birth weight (BW), umbilical cord diameter at birth (UCD), and the calculated umbilical diameter at birth to birth weight ratio (UCD:BW), are potential indicators of both placental efficiency and relative defect size in the abdominal musculature as well as reliable predictors of pre-weaning mortality, umbilical hernia incidence, and pig body weight at 150 d of age in a commercial facility. Mixed sex commercial piglets were followed through production. Four hundred sixty-five piglets were weighed within 1 h of birth, and the UCD was determined using digital calipers, these animals were followed through weaning. Three hundred eighty-five pigs of the 465 were followed through the post-wean phase in the nursery facility and checked for umbilical hernia incidence. Finally, of the 385 pigs, 177 pigs were assessed for umbilical hernia incidence and weighed a final time at the grower-finisher facility. All data were analyzed using PROC Logistic and PROC GLM procedures. The variables of UCD:BW and BW were significantly associated with the probability of increased pre-weaning mortality (P < 0.001). For example, piglets with a low UCD:BW, but an increased BW had the greatest survival rate. Umbilical diameter (UCD) was not significantly associated with pre-weaning mortality. Post-weaning mortality was not significantly affected by UCD:BW, BW, or UCD variables. Umbilical hernia incidence was not significantly affected by UCD:BW at the nursery phase or growing-finishing phase. Pig body weight at 150 d of age was significantly affected by UCD:BW, BW, and UCD variables (P < 0.001). For example, piglets that had a larger UCD weighed more at 150 d of age. In conclusion, measuring the calculated UCD:BW has the potential to be a novel tool for future research looking into the impacts of umbilical measurements as it relates to placental function, fetal development, piglet survivability and impacts on future performance of the animal.

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INTRAUTERINE GROWTH IN ACTIVE TISSUE MASS OF THE HUMAN FETUS, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE UNDERGROWN BABY

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.38.1.48 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 48-62

Author(s):

John C. Sinclair ◽

William A. Silverman

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Cell Size ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

In Utero ◽

Tissue Mass ◽

Intrauterine Growth

Oxygen consumption of babies born after various lengths of gestation, measured between 2 to 10 days of post-natal life under resting, thermoneutral conditions, has been used as an index of intrauterine growth in "active tissue mass." A curve was constructed describing the median increase in oxygen consumption with increasing gestational age in babies who had experienced usual rates of growth in utero. Babies who have grown normally in utero exhibit, with increasing birth weight and with increasing gestational age, an increase in oxygen consumption per kilogram birth weight. This phenomenon is proposed to result from changes in fetal body composition with increasing maturity whereby the cell mass constitutes an increasing percentage of total body weight as length of gestation increases. Babies who have been undergrown in utero consume, as a group, more oxygen per kilogram body weight than do normally grown babies of similar birth weight; the degree of hypermetabolism is correlated with the degree of undergrowth. Undergrown babies, as a group, do not have a higher oxygen consumption per kilogram than normally grown babies of similar gestational age, although there is a tendency for those most undergrown to be hypermetabolic even for duration of gestation. The relative hypermetabolism of undergrown neonates is proposed to depend on a dual etiology: a cell mass/body weight ratio characteristic of maturity rather than size, and, in the most undergrown subjects, an increased cell number/cell mass ratio as would occur with reduction in cell size. A model is developed which relates observations by others of changes in organ size and cell size, in malnutrition, to the present metabolic measurements. Additional observations include external dimension—oxygen consumption relationship, colon—skin temperature gradients, and acid-base parameters, in babies either normally grown or undergrown in utero. Further study is needed of increments in oxygen consumption during the neonatal period in these two kinds of babies.

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Gross Placental Structure in a Low-Risk Population of Singleton, Term, First-Born Infants

Pediatric and Developmental Pathology ◽

10.2350/08-02-0413.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 200-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

David A. Coall ◽

Adrian K. Charles ◽

Carolyn M. Salafia

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Surface Area ◽

Umbilical Cord ◽

Growth And Development ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Low Risk ◽

Placental Weight ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Umbilical Cord Insertion ◽

Placental Structure

Suboptimal fetal growth has been associated with an increased risk of adult disease, which may be exacerbated by an increased placental weight–to–fetal weight ratio. Placental weight is a summary measure of placental growth and development throughout pregnancy. However, measures of placental structure, including the chorionic disk surface area and thickness and eccentricity of the umbilical cord insertion, have been shown to account for additional variance in birth weight beyond that explained by placental weight. Little is known of the variability of these placental parameters in low-risk populations; their association with maternal, pregnancy, and neonatal characteristics; and the agreement between manual and digital measures. This study used manual and digital image analysis techniques to examine gross placental anatomy in 513 low-risk, singleton, term, first-born infants. Parametric methods compared groups and examined relationships among variables. Maternal birth weight, prepregnancy weight, and body mass index were associated with increased placental and birth weight (all P < 0.005), but only maternal birth weight was associated with increased placental surface area ( P < 0.0005) and thickness ( P = 0.005). Smoking during pregnancy reduced birth weight and increased the eccentricity of umbilical cord insertion ( P = 0.012 and 0.034, respectively). The variability in these placental parameters was consistently lower than that reported in the literature, and correlations between digital and manual measurements were reasonable ( r = .87–.71). Detailed analyses of gross placental structure can provide biologically relevant information regarding placental growth and development and, potentially, their consequences.

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Energy supplementation of silage for ewes in late pregnancy

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100011181 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 29-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

W. Sheehan ◽

M. J. Lawlor

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Important Determinant ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

The Other ◽

Subsequent Performance ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Medium Quality ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Energy Supplementation

SUMMARY1. Four groups of 20 ewes were individually fed in late pregnancy on: (1) silage ad libitum, (2) silage ad libitum and 12 kg rolled barley, (3) silage ad libitum and 23 kg rolled barley, (4) pelleted milled dried grass ad libitum. The concentrate was offered on a rising plane over the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. After parturition the ewes and lambs were put on spring pasture.2. The intake of silage by twin-bearing ewes fell slightly but nonsignificantly during week 16 of pregnancy but thereafter remained steady up to lambing. There was no other decline in intake on any of the treatments. Barley, however, significantly depressed silage intake when the quantity was increased above 282 g per day.3. Single-bearing ewes, except those on treatment 1, gained in net body weight during late pregnancy. Twin-bearing ewes on treatment 4 gained in net body weight while those on the other treatments lost weight.4. Birth weights of single lambs from ewes on treatment 1 were significantly lower than those from treatment 3. This was the only significant difference in birth weight or subsequent growth rates of single lambs. Birth weights of twin lambs on treatment 1 were significantly lower than those on the other treatments.5. The birth weight of twin lambs appeared to be an important determinant of subsequent performance, and may thus be a valuable criterion of the adequacy of the ewe's diet in late pregnancy.6. With medium-quality autumn silages, 12 kg of barley given during late pregnancy is sufficient to ensure good reproductive performance in ewes.

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MO019MATERNAL UNDERNUTRITION AMELIORATES CYST GROWTH IN ADPKD MODEL MICE*

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfab081.001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Junpei Yoshikawa ◽

Nishio Saori ◽

Fumihiko Hattanda ◽

Daigo Nakazawa ◽

Tatsuya Atsumi

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Food Restriction ◽

Mapk Pathway ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Mtor Pathway ◽

Nutrient Restriction ◽

Body Weight Ratio ◽

Maternal Undernutrition ◽

Ad Libitum

Abstract Background and Aims Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by the progressive development of kidney and liver cysts. The major factors predicting disease progression in ADPKD are total kidney volume, genotype, age, sex. Recently, several studies have suggested that dietary intervention might be a potential treatment to prevent ADPKD progression. On the other hand, it has been reported that low-birth weight infants because of maternal global nutrient restriction are at increased risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease. However, little has been reported on relationship between maternal undernutrition and cyst formation in ADPKD. Therefore the purpose of this study is to clarify whether maternal undernutrition is associated with progression in ADPKD. Method We used Pkd1 conditional knockout mice (Pkd1flox/flox･Mx1-Cre mice). The offspring of dams given food ad libitum (control(CON)) and those subjected to nutrient restriction throughout pregnancy (food restriction (FR)) were examined. In FR, nutrient-restricted mothers were given about half amount of food by control mice during pregnancy. After delivery, food for children was given ad libitum. Mice were injected with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid for 6 consecutive days from postnatal day 5 (P5) to P10 to inactivate Pkd1. We analyzed the phenotype of cystic kidneys by kidney/body weight ratio (2KW/BW), and cystic index (CI) which was defined as the percentage of areas occupied by cysts at P20, 35, 56. We carried out a series of analyses by kidney/body weight ratio, liver /body weight ratio or cystic index (CI) which was defined as the percentage of areas occupied by cysts. Elastica-Masson staining was performed for analyzing tissue fibrosis. The fibrotic index (FI) was expressed as the (fibrotic area/ total non-cystic area) ×100 (%). For evaluation of glomerular hypertrophy, glomerular area was measured in PAS-stained kidney sections using Image J software. The assay of renal function was performed by using UN-ML kit. We also performed western blotting of signaling pathway of proliferation by using whole kidneys. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. Two-tailed Student’s t-test was performed for comparing two groups. Results Food restriction of pregnant dams reduced birth weight. (FR 1.26±0.16 g vs CON 1.55±0.11g). However, FR showed rapid gain weight. There was no significant difference after P20. There were no difference between two groups in 2KW/BW, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, CI of kidney and liver until P35. At P56, 2KW/BW was significantly greater in FR (4.59±0.52%) than in CON mice (2.91±0.98%; p＜0.01). CI of both kidney and liver was significantly higher in FR than in CON (Kidney : FR58.1±2.04% vs CON46.3±3.04%; p＜0.05) (Liver : FR11.1±1.41% vs CON 4.89±0.61%; p＜0.001). BUN levels elevated in FR (FR 58.1±5.76mg/dL vs CON 46.3±5.11mg/dL; p＜0.05) .FR showed glomerular sclerosis with PAS staining. Mean Glomerular volume was significantly increased in FR compared with CON (P35: FR 5625±419μm2 vs CON 3255±433μm2; p＜0.001, P56: FR 5780±1195μm2 vs CON 3756±266μm2; p＜0.001) . FR group showed significantly greater fibrosis in kidney (P35: FI 15.3±2.04% vs CON 11.1±1.41%; p＜0.01,P56: FI 42.1±3.2% vs CON 30.8±3.89%; p＜0.001). In western blotting analysis, MAPK pathway and mTOR pathway were suppressed in FR compared with CON at P20. In contrast, MAPK pathway and mTOR pathway were upregulated in FR compared with CON at P56. Conclusion Maternal undernutrition accelerates disease progression via kidney fibrosis, MAPK and mTOR pathway.

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Differences in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Three Racial Groups

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000621 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 172-178

Author(s):

Brooke A. Ammerman ◽

Martha K. Fahlgren ◽

Kristen M. Sorgi ◽

Michael S. McCloskey

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempts ◽

Health Concern ◽

Future Research ◽

Racial Groups ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Final Sample ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Assessment Procedures ◽

Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

Abstract. Background: Despite being a major public health concern, it is unclear how suicidal thoughts and behaviors differentially impact separate racial groups. Aims: The aim of the current study was to examine the occurrence of nonlethal suicide events, in addition to suicide attempt characteristics and factors contributing to suicide attempts. Method: A final sample of 7,094 undergraduates from a large northeastern university, identifying as members of three racial groups (White [67.30%], Black [17.30%], and Asian [15.40%]), completed online questionnaires. Results: White participants reported increased likelihood of endorsing lifetime suicidal ideation and plan, whereas Black participants reported decreased likelihood of these events; no differences were found in rates of lifetime suicide attempts. Black participants' suicidal behavior may involve greater ambivalence of intent. A higher proportion of Asian participants endorsed interpersonal factors as contributing to their suicide attempts, whereas a greater percentage of White participants reported internal contributing factors. Limitations: Findings are limited by the sample size and assessment of lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Conclusion: The findings present a more nuanced look at attitudes and actions related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors that may inform future research and risk assessment procedures.

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Suicide after Deployment in UN Peacekeeping Missions—A Danish Pilot Study

Crisis ◽

10.1027//0227-5910.23.2.55 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 55-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Hansen-Schwartz ◽

G. Jessen ◽

K. Andersen ◽

H.O. Jørgensen

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Un Peacekeeping ◽

Peacekeeping Missions

Summary: This pilot study looks at the frequency of suicide among Danish soldiers who took part in the UN mandated forces (UNMF) during the 1990's. In a contingent of nearly 4000 Danish UN soldiers four suicides were documented, two of whom committed suicide less than one month before deployment and two who committed suicide within a year after discharge from mission. Contributing factors, prevention strategies, and implications for future research are discussed.

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Healthy Body Weight may Modify Effect of Abnormal Birth Weight on Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents

Obesity ◽

10.1002/oby.22391 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 462-469

Author(s):

Bin Dong ◽

Yan-Hui Dong ◽

Zhao-Geng Yang ◽

Xi-Jie Wang ◽

Zhi-Yong Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Healthy Body Weight ◽

Modify Effect ◽

Healthy Body

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Some consequences of body size

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.1984.247.4.h495 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 247 (4) ◽

pp. H495-H507 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

L. E. Ford

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Body Weight ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Single Species ◽

Hill Climbing ◽

Proper Size ◽

Higher Power ◽

Metabolic Indices

The question of the proper size denominator for metabolic indices is addressed. Metabolic rate among different species is proportional to the 3/4 power of body weight, not surface area. Muscle power also varies with the 3/4 power of weight, suggesting that metabolic rate is determined mainly by muscle power. Power-to-weight ratio, specific metabolic rate, and a number of metabolic periods, including heart rate, all vary inversely with the 1/4 power of body weight. Thus the relative times required for physiological and pathological processes in different species may be estimated from the average resting heart rate for the species. There are not many small humans among athletic record holders in events involving acceleration and hill climbing, as would be expected if they had higher power-to-weight ratios. Thus the relationship between size and metabolic rate in different species should not be applied within the single species of humans. Evidence is reviewed showing that basal metabolic rate in humans is determined mainly by lean body mass.

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Creatine Alleviates Doxorubicin-Induced Liver Damage by Inhibiting Liver Fibrosis, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Cellular Senescence

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13010041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 41

Author(s):

Nouf Aljobaily ◽

Michael J. Viereckl ◽

David S. Hydock ◽

Hend Aljobaily ◽

Tsung-Yen Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Dna Methylation ◽

Body Weight ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Liver Damage ◽

Cellular Senescence ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Body Weight Ratio ◽

Chromosomal Stability

Background: Treatment with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX) may lead to toxicities that affect non-cancer cells including the liver. Supplementing the diet with creatine (Cr) has been suggested as a potential intervention to minimize DOX-induced side effects, but its effect in alleviating DOX-induced hepatoxicity is currently unknown. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effects of Cr supplementation on DOX-induced liver damage. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet supplemented with 2% Cr for four weeks, 4% Cr for one week followed by 2% Cr for three more weeks, or control diet for four weeks. Animals then received either a bolus i.p. injection of DOX (15 mg/kg) or saline as a placebo. Animals were then sacrificed five days-post injection and markers of hepatoxicity were analyzed using the liver-to-body weight ratio, aspartate transaminase (AST)-to- alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipemia, and T-Bilirubin. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Picro-Sirius Red staining, and immunofluorescence staining for CD45, 8-OHdG, and β-galactosidase were performed to evaluate liver morphology, fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence, respectively. The mRNA levels for biomarkers of liver fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence-related genes were measured in liver tissues. Chromosomal stability was evaluated using global DNA methylation ELISA. Results: The ALT/AST ratio and liver to body weight ratio tended to increase in the DOX group, and Cr supplementation tended to attenuate this increase. Furthermore, elevated levels of liver fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence were observed with DOX treatment, and Cr supplementation prior to DOX treatment ameliorated this hepatoxicity. Moreover, DOX treatment resulted in chromosomal instability (i.e., altered DNA methylation profile), and Cr supplementation showed a tendency to restore chromosomal stability with DOX treatment. Conclusion: The data suggest that Cr protected against DOX-induced hepatotoxicity by attenuating fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and senescence.

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Genomic prediction for growth using a low-density SNP panel in dromedary camels

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87296-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Morteza Bitaraf Sani ◽

Javad Zare Harofte ◽

Mohammad Hossein Banabazi ◽

Saeid Esmaeilkhanian ◽

Ali Shafei Naderi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Sample Size ◽

Genetic Improvement ◽

Growth Traits ◽

P Value ◽

Dromedary Camels ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome ◽

Daily Gain

AbstractFor thousands of years, camels have produced meat, milk, and fiber in harsh desert conditions. For a sustainable development to provide protein resources from desert areas, it is necessary to pay attention to genetic improvement in camel breeding. By using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method we produced over 14,500 genome wide markers to conduct a genome- wide association study (GWAS) for investigating the birth weight, daily gain, and body weight of 96 dromedaries in the Iranian central desert. A total of 99 SNPs were associated with birth weight, daily gain, and body weight (p-value < 0.002). Genomic breeding values (GEBVs) were estimated with the BGLR package using (i) all 14,522 SNPs and (ii) the 99 SNPs by GWAS. Twenty-eight SNPs were associated with birth weight, daily gain, and body weight (p-value < 0.001). Annotation of the genomic region (s) within ± 100 kb of the associated SNPs facilitated prediction of 36 candidate genes. The accuracy of GEBVs was more than 0.65 based on all 14,522 SNPs, but the regression coefficients for birth weight, daily gain, and body weight were 0.39, 0.20, and 0.23, respectively. Because of low sample size, the GEBVs were predicted using the associated SNPs from GWAS. The accuracy of GEBVs based on the 99 associated SNPs was 0.62, 0.82, and 0.57 for birth weight, daily gain, and body weight. This report is the first GWAS using GBS on dromedary camels and identifies markers associated with growth traits that could help to plan breeding program to genetic improvement. Further researches using larger sample size and collaboration of the camel farmers and more profound understanding will permit verification of the associated SNPs identified in this project. The preliminary results of study show that genomic selection could be the appropriate way to genetic improvement of body weight in dromedary camels, which is challenging due to a long generation interval, seasonal reproduction, and lack of records and pedigrees.

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