U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            STRAUCH, TRISTA - UNIV OF MISSOURIitem
                                            Carroll, Jeffery

                                                         - *Jeff Carroll*item
                                            BERG, ERIKA - UNIV OF MISSOURIitem
                                            Salfen, Brent
  Submitted to: Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2004
                                    Publication  Date: 2/22/2004
                                    Citation: Strauch, T.A., Carroll, J.A., Berg, E.L., Salfen, B.E. 2004. Zeranol administration to gestating sows alters sow blood serum IGF-1 concentrations and improves piglet performance. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances. 3(5): 270-277.Interpretive Summary: A study was conducted to determine the effects administration of the growth implant Ralgro to sows during gestation on subsequent performance of the sows and piglets.  Sows were implanted with Ralgro, an estrogenic compound commonly administered to cattle, at day 60 of gestation, and sows were farrowed at approximately 115 days of gestation.  Blood and milk samples were collected from sows, and blood samples were collected from piglets.  Analysis of serum from the blood of both sows and piglets at parturition/birth revealed increases in an important growth factor (insulin-like growth factor-I).  Accordingly, piglet average daily gain and body weight at weaning was greater for piglets whose sows were treated with Ralgro during gestation.  This study provides a potential method to enhance growth performance in young pigs with a relatively simple administration of a growth promotant to the sow.  This information will be of interest to individuals working in the area of swine productivity, including scientists, extension personnel, and swine producers.
                                Technical Abstract: Objectives were to determine the effects of an estrogenic compound (Ralgro; R) on sow and piglet performance, and components of the somatotrophic axis.  Treated sows were administered 36 mg R subcutaneously in the ear on d 60 of gestation, and control (C) sows were administered a sham implant.  There was no difference (P > 0.38) in serum growth hormone (GH) between C and R sows, but there was a trend for increased (P < 0.12) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in R sows.  There was no difference (P < 0.14) in litter size, number born alive, or piglet survival to weaning; however, there was a trend (P < 0.11) for a greater total litter weight in C sows.  There was no difference (P > 0.47) in piglet weight at birth, but there was a treatment effect (P < 0.002) on average daily gain (ADG) to 7 d of age, with increased ADG in R piglets, and the increased ADG continued until weaning (P < 0.02).  Treatment did not affect piglet serum concentrations of GH at birth (P > 0.18) or weaning (P > 0.64), and increased (P < 0.0006) serum concentrations of IGF-I in R pigs at birth, but not weaning (P > 0.31).  Hypothalamic mRNA expression of growth hormone releasing hormone tended (P < 0.07) to be greater in R pigs.  These data indicate that R implantation in gestating sows increases circulating concentrations of IGF-I, and improves pre-weaning ADG of pigs exposed to R in utero.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov