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
                                            Safranski, Tristaitem
                                            Carroll, Jeffery

                                                         - *Jeff Carroll*item
                                            BERG, E - UNIV OF MISSOURIitem
                                            Salfen, Brent
  Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2003
                                    Publication  Date: 6/21/2003
                                    Citation: STRAUCH, T.A., CARROLL, J.A., BERG, E.L., SALFEN, B.E. EFFECTS OF RALGRO IMPLANTATION TO GESTATING SOWS ON SOW AND PIGLET PERFORMANCE AND COMPONENTS OF THE SOMATOTROPHIC AXIS. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE SUPPLEMENT. 2003. V. 81(SUPPL.1):ABSTRACT p. 94.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Objectives were to determine effects of an estrogenic compound (Ralgro; R) on maternal and neonatal piglet performance and components of the somatotrophic axis. On d 60 of gestation, sows were divided into two groups: R (n=7) and control (C; n=4). Treated sows were administered 36 mg R subcutaneously in the ear, and C sows were administered a sham implant. Sow blood samples were collected on d 60 and 80 of gestation and at parturition. Piglet blood samples and BW were collected within 12 hrs of birth. Thereafter, piglet body weights (BWs) were collected on d 7 and 14 of age. Serum was collected from blood samples and stored at minus 80 degrees C until analyzed for serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and growth hormone (GH). Data were analyzed using ANOVA with treatment and pig sex as main effects. There were no differences (P > 0.38) in serum concentrations of IGF-I or GH between C and R sows; however, there was a trend (P < 0.10) for increased serum concentrations of IGF-II in R sows from d 60 of gestation to parturition. There was no difference in litter size (P < 0.14), number born alive (P < 0.33), or piglet survival to weaning (P < 0.21); however, there was a trend (P < 0.11) for greater total litter weight in C sows (19.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 15.4 +/- 1.2 kg; C vs. R). There was no difference (P > 0.47) in piglet BW at birth (1.4 +/- 0.04 kg), but there was a treatment effect (P < 0.002) on average daily gain (ADG) to 7 d of age, with increased ADG in R pigs (0.194 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.162 +/- 0.01 kg/d; R vs. C). There was a tendency (P < 0.07) for increased ADG in R pigs to 14 d of age (0.254 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.231 +/- 0.01 kg/d; R vs. C). Treatment affected piglet serum concentrations of IGF-I (P < 0.006; 52.8 +/- 3.7 vs. 38.4 +/- 3.8 ng/mL; R vs. C) and IGF-II (P < 0.0004; 83.2 +/- 1.5 vs. 74.6 +/- 1.8 ng/mL; R vs. C) at birth; but had no effect (P < 0.18) on serum concentrations of GH (14.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 17.2 +/- 1.9 ng/mL; R vs. C). These data indicate that in utero Ralgro treatment increases circulating concentrations of somatotrophic hormones, and improves piglet ADG during the first 14 d of life.


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