muramidase and Birth-Weight

While there are many reports in the literature describing the attributes of specific applications of transgenic animals for agriculture, there are relatively few studies focusing on the fitness of the transgenic animals themselves. This work was designed to gather information on genetically modified food animals to determine if the presence of a transgene can impact general animal production traits. More specifically, we used a line of transgenic dairy goats expressing human lysozyme in their mammary gland to evaluate the reproductive fitness and growth and development of these animals compared to their non-transgenic counterparts and the impact of consuming a transgenic food product, lysozyme-containing milk. In males, none of the parameters of semen quality, including semen volume and concentration, total sperm per ejaculate, sperm morphology, viability and motility, were significantly different between transgenic bucks and non-transgenic full-sib controls. Likewise, transgenic females of this line did not significantly differ in the reproductive traits of gestation length and litter size compared to their non-transgenic counterparts. To evaluate growth, transgenic and non-transgenic kid goats received colostrum and milk from either transgenic or non-transgenic does from birth until weaning. Neither the presence of the transgene nor the consumption of milk from transgenic animals significantly affected birth weight, weaning weight, overall gain and post-wean gain. These results indicate that the analyzed reproductive and growth traits were not regularly or substantially impacted by the presence or expression of the transgene. The evaluation of these general parameters is an important aspect of defining the safety of applying transgenic technology to animal agriculture.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Animals, Newborn; Birth Weight; Female; Goats; Humans; Male; Muramidase; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Weight Gain

During the last few years, advances in the care of low-birth-weight and preterm neonates has stimulated research on the best dietetic program to improve survival and to reduce handicap incidence. At present, fortification of human milk with artificial formulas is the most usual dietetic solution. As yet, however, little is known about the composition of milk from mothers giving birth prematurely. The aim of this study was the quantification of different proteins in human milk during the lactation period. By use of an electrophoretic method, lactoferrin (LF), alpha-lactalbumin, beta-casein, and lysozyme concentrations were measured in milk from mothers delivering normally (TM) or prematurely (PM). LF concentration in milk from TM presented higher values in the very first days and a fast decrease to d 10. After d 10, the concentration reached a plateau. In milk from PM, the LF concentration in the first days was lower than for TM. Similar profiles of alpha-lactalbumin, beta-casein, and lysozyme concentrations were found in milk from TM and PM. A general higher variability in PM samples was observed both between different mothers and for the same woman during the lactation period. Lactation profiles for four human milk proteins are described here. No significant difference was observed (apart from LF in the very first days) between preterm and term milk samples, confirming the unsuitability of unfortified breast milk for preterm neonates.

Topics: Birth Weight; Caseins; Colostrum; Diet; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Lactalbumin; Lactation; Lactoferrin; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Time Factors

Lysozyme levels were determined in serum and umbilical cord blood of 352 newborns and prematures. Levels in premature babies were found to be significantly lower than those of matures at the first day of life. A correlation was seen between the serum lysozyme and the birth weight of 219 mature newborns. In 14 premature babies with clinical signs of sepsis the concentrations of serum lysozyme were particularly decreased in cases of septicemia caused by gram-negative organisms. Serum levels of lysozyme in cord blood were significantly lower in 38 newborns with predisposition to septicemia (above all premature rupture of membranes greater than 24 hr.) comparing with healthy infants. The decreased serum levels of lysozyme in newborns with septicemia and the remarkable susceptibility of infections in male newborns are discussed.

Topics: Birth Weight; Female; Fetal Blood; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Infant, Premature; Male; Muramidase; Pregnancy; Sepsis; Sex Factors

Tear lysozyme concentration was measured in term, preterm, and small-for-dates infants using a modification of the lysoplate technique. The lysozyme concentration was greater in the term infant than in preterm and small-for-dates infants. The values were found to increase with birthweight and gestation to a term value which is similar to that described in adults. There was no relationship between the lysozyme concentration and the rate of tear production.

Topics: Birth Weight; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Muramidase; Tears

Topics: Birth Weight; Female; Humans; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Pregnancy

Topics: Birth Weight; Female; Granulocytes; Hematopoiesis; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes; Muramidase

Topics: Animals; Birth Weight; Breast Feeding; Egg White; Feces; Food, Fortified; Gestational Age; Goats; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Immunoassay; Immunodiffusion; Infant Food; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Lactulose; Milk; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Rabbits

Topics: Birth Weight; Female; Gestational Age; Hematopoiesis; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Infections; Male; Muramidase; Phagocytosis

Topics: Birth Weight; Complement System Proteins; Female; Humans; Immunity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Leukocytes; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Properdin