Newborn calves are often deficient in iron and progressive reduction in blood iron concentration occurs over the first weeks of life. Some reports indicate the importance of interactions among iron and components of the insulin-like growth factor system. The aim of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between serum iron and insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations in neonatal calves. Blood samples were collected from 16 female Holstein-Friesian calves on day 10 of age. Erythrogram determination and measurements of serum iron, total protein, albumin, total iron binding capacity and serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations were performed. Haematological values were measured using an automatic analyzer, biochemical properties were determined spectrophotometrically, insulin-like growth factor-I concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Calves were divided into 2 groups according to iron concentrations; the first group of iron-deficient calves (n = 8, Fe < 10 μmol/l) and the second group of calves with optimal iron concentration (n = 8, Fe > 18 μmol/l). Blood indicators in all calves from the first group followed a pattern typically observed in anaemic calves. Insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the first group compared to the second group. However, insulin-like growth factor-I very strongly correlated with iron in calves from the second group compared to iron-deficient calves (r = 0.624; P < 0.01 and r = 0.478; P > 0.05, respectively). Based on our results, iron seems to have an important relationship to secretion of insulin-like growth factor-I in 10-day-old calves. This is the first report about such relationship in this age group of animals. Calf, haematology, IGF-I, iron deficiency
Piglets that nurse anterior mammary glands grow faster than those suckling posterior mammary glands. The underlying mechanisms are not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a difference in composition in colostrum and milk secreted by anterior and posterior mammary glands. Seven healthy sows were used. The first three pairs of mammary glands were defined as anterior mammary glands (AMG) and the rest as posterior mammary glands (PMG). Additionally, the total of 87 born piglets from 7 litters derived from the sows involved in the experiment was analyzed. Piglets from each litter that nursed AMG were defined as AMG group while the rest of piglets from the litter were defined as PMG group. Colostrum and milk were collected at days 1, 2, 3 and 7 after parturition. Samples taken from anterior and posterior mammary glands were pooled, respectively. Results showed that total protein, IGF-I and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in the colostrum of anterior than posterior glands and IGF-I concentration remained significantly higher in milk of anterior compared to posterior glands. There were no significant differences in fat, dry matter and lactose among anterior and posterior glands during all examined periods. Additionally, blood samples from nursing sows were obtained at days 1 and 7 after parturition. Results showed that concentrations of Ca, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin and insulin significantly increased from day 1 to day 7 of parturition while concentrations of P, BUN, CK and IGF-I did not significantly change during this period. Initial body weight of pigs nursing the anterior gland was higher but not significantly that those suckling posterior glands. Pigs that nursed anterior glands gained 538 weight faster then those which suckled posterior glands resulting with significantly higher body weigh of piglets nursing anterior compared to posterior glands at day 8 of neonatal life (p < 0.05). Therefore, it may be concluded that the priority of anterior glands milk secretion in total protein and grow stimulating factors may have an impact on increased body weight gain of nursing pigs.
The aim of our study was to investigate if the thyroid axis of newborn calves is affected by prenatal application of propylthyouracil (PTU). The study included 20 late pregnant Holstein cows. One group (n=10) was treated with PTU (4 mg/kg of BW daily) from day 20 before expected calving until the day of calving. The other group (n=10) was non-treated. Placental samples of dams were obtained for measuring mRNA expression of iodothyronine deiodinases type I (D1), type II (D2) and type III (D3). After parturition calves were separated from the dams and included in the study. Blood samples were taken daily from each calf starting on the day of birth until day 7 of age. Blood T 3, T 4 and TSH concentrations were measured. PCR analysis of the placental tissue revealed an abundance of all three types of placental deiodinases in non-treated cows, and a signifi cant elevation of mRNA levels for all three types of deiodinases after PTU treatment. Calves that originated from dams treated with PTU had signifi cantly lower T 3 and T 4 and signifi cantly higher TSH concentrations compared to non-treated calves during the fi rst 2 days of life. Starting from day 4 until day 6 of life the opposite effect was observed meaning that calves prenatally exposed to PTU had signifi cantly higher T 3 and T 4 and slightly lower TSH. Our study, for the fi rst time, provides information related to iodothyronine deiodinases mRNA expression in bovine placenta, and confi rm that PTU treatment of pregnant dams provokes depression of thyroid function in newborns during the fi rst days of life.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different percentage of seminal plasma proteins with different molecular weight on sperm motility and fertility parameters (farrowing rate (FR), number of live-born pigs (PBA) per litter and percentage of unsuccessful insemination). A total of 50 sperm-rich ejaculate fractions were collected (one per boar) using the gloved hand method. The quality parameters of the semen samples were first evaluated at the farm. Further assessment of sperm quality was performed on a CASA -computer assisted semen analysis by two competent operators. Seminal plasma protein fractions were obtained by AOAC -Association of Official Analytical Chemists as a chemical method. The assessment of reproductive performance was carried out based on collected data of three parameters in selected 9696 sows: FR, PBA per litter and percentage of unsuccessful insemination. Protein fractions were divided in to three groups (10 -20kDa, 21 -30kDa and 31 -40kDa) Proteins with 10 -20kDa did not have significant effect and correlation with analyzed parameters. Significant differences were recorded in farrowing rate between samples with up to 80 % compared to samples with 10% of proteins with 21 -30kDa. Significant differences were recorded in unsuccessful insemination between samples with different percentage of proteins with 31 -40kDa. Results of this study have shown the effect of different percentage of certain fraction of seminal plasma proteins on boar ejaculates fertility potential.
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