scholarly journals High laboratory mouse pre-weaning mortality associated with litter overlap, advanced mother age, small and large litters

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Munhoz Morello ◽  
Jan Hultgren ◽  
Sara Capas-Peneda ◽  
Marc Whiltshire ◽  
Aurelie Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Laboratory Mouse ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Persistent Problem ◽  
Large Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Pup Mortality ◽  
Older Siblings

AbstractHigh and variable pre-weaning mortality is a persistent problem among the main mouse strains used in biomedical research. If a modest 15% mortality rate is assumed across all mouse strains used in the EU, approximately 1 million more pups must be produced yearly to compensate for those which die. A few environmental and social factors have been identified as affecting pup mortality, but optimizing these factors does not cease the problem. This study is the first large study to mine data records from 219,975 pups from two breeding facilities to determine the major risk factors associated with mouse pre-weaning mortality. It was hypothesized that litter overlap (i.e. the presence of older siblings in the cage when new pups are born), a recurrent social configuration in trio-housed mice, is associated with increased newborn mortality, along with high mother age, large litter size, as well as a high number and age of older siblings in the cage. The estimated probability of pup death was two to seven percentage points higher in cages with compared to those without litter overlap. Litter overlap was associated with an increase in percentage of litter losses of 19% and 103%, respectively, in the two breeding facilities. Increased number and age of older siblings, high mother age, small litter size (less than four pups born) and large litter size (over 11 pups born) were associated with increased probability of pup death. Results suggest that common social cage configurations at breeding facilities are dangerous for the survivability of young mouse pups. The underlying mechanisms and strategies to avoid these situations should be further investigated.

scholarly journals Differences in gene expression and variable splicing events of ovaries between large and small litter size in Chinese Xiang pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueqin Ran ◽  
Fengbin Hu ◽  
Ning Mao ◽  
Yiqi Ruan ◽  
Fanli Yi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Hub Genes ◽  
Steroid Biosynthesis ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Large Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Capability

Abstract Background Although lots of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes present roles in litter size of some breeds, the information might not make it clear for the huge diversity of reproductive capability in pig breeds. To elucidate the inherent mechanisms of heterogeneity of reproductive capability in litter size of Xiang pig, we performed transcriptome analysis for the expression profile in ovaries using RNA-seq method. Results We identified 1,419 up-regulated and 1,376 down-regulated genes in Xiang pigs with large litter size. Among them, 1,010 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were differently spliced between two groups with large or small litter sizes. Based on GO and KEGG analysis, numerous members of genes were gathered in ovarian steroidogenesis, steroid biosynthesis, oocyte maturation and reproduction processes. Conclusions Combined with gene biological function, twelve genes were found out that might be related with the reproductive capability of Xiang pig, of which, eleven genes were recognized as hub genes. These genes may play a role in promoting litter size by elevating steroid and peptide hormones supply through the ovary and facilitating the processes of ovulation and in vivo fertilization.

scholarly journals Low fertility in vivo resulting from female factors causes small litter size in 129 inbred mice

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Hino ◽  
Kanako Oda ◽  
Kenji Nakamura ◽  
Yutaka Toyoda ◽  
Minesuke Yokoyama
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Inbred Mice ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size

scholarly journals Convergences in the diversification of bats

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brock Fenton
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Duty Cycle ◽  
Adaptive Function ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Echolocation Calls ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
High Duty Cycle ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Nasal Emission

Abstract Twenty-five characters or suites of characters from bats are considered in light of changes in bat classification. The characters include some associated with flower-visiting (two), echolocation (12), roosting (six), reproduction (two) and three are of unknown adaptive function. In both the 1998 and 2006 classifications of bats into suborders (Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera versus Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera, respectively), some convergences between suborders are the same (e.g., foliage roosting, tent building), but others associated with echolocation differ substantially. In the 1998 phylogeny convergences associated with echolocation (high duty cycle echolocation, nasal emission of echolocation calls) occurred among the Microchiroptera. In the 2006 phylogeny, they occur between Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera. While some traits apparently arose independently in two suborders (e.g., foliage-roosting, tent building, low intensity echolocation calls, noseleafs, nasal emission of echolocation calls, high duty cycle echolocation behaviour), others appear to have been ancestral (roosting in narrow spaces, laryngeal echolocation, stylohyal-tympanic contact, oral emission of echolocation calls, and small litter size). A narrow profile through the chest is typical of bats reflecting the thoracic skeleton. This feature suggests that the ancestors of bats spent the day in small crevices. Features associated with laryngeal echolocation appear to be ancestral, suggesting that echolocation evolved early in bats but was subsequently lost in one yinpterochiropteran lineage.

The presence of teh cervical and thoracic thymus lobes in marsupials

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Neck Muscles ◽  
Cervical Region ◽  
Thoracic Cavity ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Marsupial Species

Thymus lobes, in 93 marsupial species studied, were found in two different topographical locations: the thoracic cavity (thoracic thymus), the ventral cervical region, superficial to hyoid, sternomastoid, and depressor neck muscles and just beneath the skin (superficial cervical thymus), or in both places. All polyprotodont species examined (42 examples from Didelphidae, Dasyuridae, Thylacinidae, Notoryctidae, Peramelidae, and Caenolestidae) had two to four lobed thoracic thymus and no superficial cervical thymus. Species examined from the diprotodont Burramyidae, Petauridae, Phalangeridae, Phascolarctidae, and Tarsipedidae (17 species) and Macropodidae (32 species) had both a thoracic thymus with two to four lobes, and a pair of superficial cervical thymus lobes. Both of the two genera in the diprotodont Vombatidae, Lasiovhinus and Vombatus, had a cervical thymus; no thoracic thymus was seen in the latter but the former had specimens with and without it. The presence of superficial cervical thymus lobes in only the superfamily Phalangeroidea is discussed with particular reference to herbivorous diet, small litter size, and immunological development of pouch young.

scholarly journals Effects of litter size and subsequent gold-thioglucose-induced obesity on adipose tissue weight, distribution and cellularity in male and female mice: an age study

1988 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Roberts ◽  
Frances M. Whittington ◽  
Michael Enser
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Newborn Mice ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Gold Thioglucose ◽  
Large Litter

1. Over- or undernutrition of newborn mice was caused by suckling in litters consisting initially of four or eighteen pups. After weaning mice were fed ad lib. At 13 weeks of age some mice from large litters received gold thioglucose (GTG: 600 mg/kg intraperitoneally) to induce hyperphagia, and mice were killed at 13, 19·5, 26, 39 and 52 weeks.2. Total carcass lipid and the size and number of adipocytes in the inguinal subcutaneous, genital, perirenal and mesenteric depots were determined.3. Mice, both male and female, raised in small litters were heavier and had more carcass fat at all ages than mice raised in large litters. After GTG-treatment mice from large litters were heavier and fatter than mice raised in small litters.4. Fat distribution between the depots was related to carcass lipid content and not to treatment. The order of depot development was subcutaneous, parametrial, perirenal and mesenteric in females and epididymal, subcutaneous, perirenal and mesenteric in males. At 13 weeks the depots in males were more developed than those in females.5. Litter size had no effect on adipocyte volume in female mice at 13 weeks but by 52 weeks small-litter mice had larger cells in all depots and more cells in the parametrial and perirenal depots.6. Male mice from small litters had bigger cells at 13 weeks in all depots compared with males from large litters but by 52 weeks no significant differences remained. Greater numbers of cells were present only in the perirenal and mesenteric depots of small-litter males at some ages.7. Depots of GTG-treated large-litter female mice had larger cells than those of small-litter females, while a similar number of cells was found by 52 weeks in all but the perirenal depot, which had significantly more cells.8. GTG treatment of male mice from large litters also caused bigger cells than in small-litter mice, and an increased depot cell number at earlier ages in all but the epididymal depot. By 52 weeks cell numbers were similar in depots from small-litter and GTG-treated large-litter mice, except for the epididymal depot from the latter which had fewer cells.9. Increases in cell numbers with age in different depots occurred independently of existing cell mean volume and even of tissue growth, suggesting the presence of an in-built chronology, at least in older mice.10. We suppose that the differences in response to the level of preweaning nutrition in males and females result from a greater effect on the hypothalamic appetite centre in the latter. Whereas the cellular changes in large-litter males occur in the late-developing depots and are reversed naturally with time, those in the large-litter females are more extensive and require induction of hyperphagia for reversal.

Embryonic Loss in Sows with Repeated Propensity for Small Litter Size

2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Geisert ◽  
S Sasakia ◽  
AC Clutter
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Embryonic Loss

INDUCTION OF WHELPING IN CANINE HIGH RISK PREGNANCIES WITH SMALL LITTER SIZE USING PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR BLOCKER AND PGE1

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 042
Author(s):  
S. Raheema ◽  
C. Jayakumar ◽  
M.O. Kurien ◽  
Amritha Aravind ◽  
Laiju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Progesterone Receptor ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Receptor Blocker ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size

scholarly journals Changes in Ovary Transcriptome and Alternative splicing at estrus from Xiang pigs with Large and Small Litter Size

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuping Zhang ◽  
Liangting Tang ◽  
Xueqin Ran ◽  
Ning Mao ◽  
Yiqi Ruan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Differentially Expressed Genes ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size

AbstractBackground/AimsLitter size is one of the most important reproductive traits in pig breeding, which is affected by multiple genes and the environment. Ovaries are the most important reproductive organs and have a profound impact on the reproduction efficiency. Therefore, genetic differences in the ovaries may contribute to the observed differences in litter size. Although QTLs and candidate genes have been reported to affect the litter size in many pig breeds, however, the findings cannot elucidate the marked differences of the reproductive traits between breeds. The aim of present work is to elucidate the mechanisms of the differences for the reproductive traits and identify candidate genes associated with litter size in Xiang pig breed.MethodsThe changes in ovary transcriptome and alternative splicing were investigated at estrus between Xiang pigs with large and small litter size by RNA-seq technology. The RNA-seq results were confirmed by RT-qPCR method.ResultsWe detected 16,219 - 16,285 expressed genes and 12 types of alternative splicing (AS) events in Xiang pig samples. A total of 762 differentially expressed genes were identified by XL (Xiang pig group with larger litter size) vs XS (Xiang pig group with small litter size) sample comparisons. A total of 34 genes were upregulated and 728 genes were downregulated in XL ovary samples compared with the XS samples. Alternative splicing (AS) rates in XL samples were slightly lower than that observed in XS samples. Most of differentially expressed genes were differentially regulated on AS level. Eleven candidate genes were potentially identified to be related to Xiang pig fecundity and litter size, which may be closely related to the gonad development, oocyte maturation or embryo quality.ConclusionThe significant changes in the expression of the protein-coding genes and the level of alternative splicing in estrus ovarian transcriptome between XL and XS groups probably are the molecular mechanisms of phenotypic variation in litter size.

scholarly journals Serum progesterone and oestrone sulphate concetrations for monitoring fertility in Sows

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
A. STEFANAKIS (Α. ΣΤΕΦΑΝΑΚΗΣ) ◽  
C. M. BOSCOS (Κ. Μ. ΜΠΟΣΚΟΣ) ◽  
C. ALEXOPOULOS (Κ. ΑΛΕΞΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) ◽  
S. C. KYRIAKIS (Σ.Κ. ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗΣ) ◽  
E. KRAMBOVITIS (Η. ΚΡΑΜΠΟΒΙΤΗΣ)
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Sulphate Concentration ◽  
Oestrone Sulphate ◽  
Small Litter Size ◽  
Optimal Productivity

Blood samples were taken from 161 sows the days 19-21 (serum progesterone assessments), from 306 sows on days 24-30 (serum oestrone sulphate assessments) and from 150 sows on day 20 (serum progesterone assessments) and on days 26-29 (serum oestrone sulphate assessments) after service. Actual farrowing or abortion and signs of return to oestrus were used as criteria for pregnancy and non-pregnancy, respectively. Litter size was also recorded at each farrowing. The results showed that the overall accuracy of progesterone and oestrone sulphate for predicting pregnant sows was 90.7% and 97.2%, respectively. The highest accuracy of oestrone sulphate (100%) was noticed on days 27 and 28 after service. The overrall accuracy of the combination of both progesterone and oestrone sulphate assessments to detect pregnant sows was 97% and to detect non-pregnant sows was 100%. Significant correlation coefficients between serum oestrone sulphate concentration and litter size were found on days 24,26,27, 28,29 and 30, but the highest correlation coefficient was noticed on day 28 after service (r=0.51, Ρ, 0.001). Moreover, it was also found that mean litter size was significantly higher (P <0.05). in sows with serum oestrone sulphate concentrations > 1 ng/ml compared with concentrations < 1 ng/ml from day 26 up to day 30 after service. It is concluded that serum progesterone assessment helps in the determination of the non-pregnant sows early enough for problems related to failure of fertilization to be promptly dealt with. Serum oestrone sulphate concentration on day 28 after service can be used as an indicator of conception, as a predictor of small litter size and also can help in the estimation of embryonic mortality. The combination of these two assessments, in addition to their value in pregnancy diagnosis, can be useful in identifying concurrent reproductive problems in units with sub-optimal productivity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document