beta-endorphin and Swine-Diseases

In this study, we investigated the expression of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in porcine salivary gland and its relationship with restraint stress in pigs. IgA was expressed in plasma cells in pig salivary gland, as confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. IgA was also detected in pig saliva itself by ELISA, and salivary IgA levels were increased by a restraint stress. Moreover, there was a circadian rhythm of IgA over the course of a day. These results are the first evidence of IgA expression related to stress in the pig saliva and may make IgA useful as a non-invasive biological marker to evaluate acute stress condition in the pigs.

Topics: alpha-Amylases; Animals; beta-Endorphin; Biomarkers; Hydrocortisone; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Restraint, Physical; Saliva; Salivary Glands; Stress, Psychological; Swine; Swine Diseases

To investigate whether the procedure used to snare and restrain pigs during collection of blood samples would alter in vitro functional capacity of leukocytes in the samples.. 8 gilts.. Catheters were surgically inserted into the jugular vein of gilts to enable blood sample collection without restraint. After collection of a control sample, gilts were restrained by use of a snare and samples were collected at 0.5, 3.5, and 6.5 minutes after start of restraint (0 minutes). At each time point, plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol concentrations as well as WBC counts were recorded, and functional capacity of leukocytes in cultures of whole blood was assessed by means of mitogen-induced proliferation and interleukin-2 activity, virus-induced interferon-alpha concentration, and phagocytosis of zymosan particles.. Concentrations of plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol were increased at 3.5 and 6.5 minutes after start of restraint. At these times, virus-induced interferon-alpha concentration was decreased, whereas proliferative response to Concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin increased in samples collected at 6.5 minutes.. It was possible to snare pigs for the purpose of collecting blood samples and restrain them without causing excessive stress that would affect immunologic variables, provided that the collection procedure was completed within a few minutes.

Topics: Animals; beta-Endorphin; Cells, Cultured; Female; Herpesvirus 1, Suid; Hydrocortisone; Interferon-alpha; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Restraint, Physical; Stress, Psychological; Swine; Swine Diseases; Time Factors

Two transport experiments were carried out with 18 pigs each. These pigs originated from three genetic lines (homozygous halothane-positive and -negative and heterozygotes). Half the pigs were unfed for 12 h before transport. All pigs were transported twice for 2 h. Before and after transport pigs were anesthetized to take blood samples from the jugular vein and biopsies from the biceps femoris. At the same time equipment to measure body temperature and heart rate were attached or detached. Plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin concentrations were measured as well as the glycogen concentration in the muscle sample. Line differences were detected with respect to body temperature (P < .04), heart rate (P < .05), and cortisol (P < .01). The withholding of feed influenced (P < .04) plasma beta-endorphin concentration. Body temperature (P < .02), heart rate (P < .001), cortisol (P < .01), and beta-endorphin (P < .001) were different before and after transport, whereas a training effect of the transport number was observed for heart rate (P < .07) and plasma beta-endorphin (P < .02). No interactions between treatments were observed. The relationship between cortisol and beta-endorphin suggests a nonconcomitant release of ACTH and beta-endorphin.

Topics: Animal Welfare; Animals; beta-Endorphin; Body Temperature; Female; Glycogen; Halothane; Heart Rate; Hydrocortisone; Malignant Hyperthermia; Muscle, Skeletal; Stress, Physiological; Swine; Swine Diseases; Transportation

Two experiments were carried out in which a total of 602 pigs were slaughtered after being held in lairage for periods ranging from less than one hour to 21 hours. In the first experiment the pigs were handled under ideal conditions and slaughtered at the University of Bristol slaughterhouse; in the second the pigs were killed at a commercial plant. Blood samples collected at exsanguination were analysed for indices of stress. There were no consistent effects of time in lairage on the levels of lactate and creatine phosphokinase. Plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels were reduced by lairage for three hours or more in the first experiment and cortisol was reduced by lairage for two hours or more in the second; beta-endorphin was not measured in the second experiment. A period of rest in lairage allowed the pigs to recover from transport and the associated handling and the recovery appeared to be complete within two to three hours.

Topics: Animals; beta-Endorphin; Creatine Kinase; Hydrocortisone; Lactates; Rest; Stress, Physiological; Swine; Swine Diseases; Time Factors; Transportation