Steroid hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations in the anestrous sow.
This investigation characterized serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol-17 beta (E2), progesterone (P4) and cortisol (C) in anestrous sows. Twenty-two sows that had not returned to estrus within 45 days after weaning (anestrous sows), and ten sows that had returned to estrus within seven days following weaning (cyclic sows) were nonsurgically fitted with indwelling jugular vein cannulae. Blood samples were collected at 6 h intervals for seven days and at 15 min intervals for 8 h on the fifth day after cannulation. Serum LH concentrations were determined in all samples, while C, E2 and P4 levels were quantitated in serum collected at 6 h intervals. Serum P4 concentrations in anestrous sows were consistently less than 0.5 ng/mL, and E2 levels ranged from 10 to 19 pg/mL. Concentrations of LH remained less than 1.0 ng/mL in anestrous sows, whereas a preovulatory LH surge was observed in five of ten cyclic sows. There was a circadian rhythm in mean C levels with C peaks occurring at 0600 or 2400 h and nadir levels observed at 1200 and 1800 h. Few differences in C levels were detected between anestrous and cyclic sows. It was evident that anestrous sows did not exhibit cyclic or predictable variations in steroid hormone concentrations. Unfortunately, the results of this study failed to elucidate the endocrine pathogenesis of the anestrous sow.
The effects of stress and of ACTH administration in hormone profiles, oestrus and ovulation in pigs.
Hormone concentrations and oestrous cycle patterns were studied in five chronically cannulated gilts. During oestrous cycles that were unaffected by stress, plasma oestrogen concentrations remained at basal luteal phase levels (10 to 30 pg/ml) until plasma progesterone had decreased to less than 2 ng/ml. The pre-oestrus surge of oestrogen ranged from 40 to 80 pg/ml. Plasma corticoid concentrations varied randomly and were not related to oestrogen, progesterone concentrations, or the stage of the oestrous cycle. There was, however, evidence of a positive relationship between elevated corticoid levels and observed stressful events. The stress of surgery or illness acting during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle delayed the onset of oestrus, and corticoid levels were frequently elevated on these occasions. Elevated plasma corticoid concentrations in response to ACTH treatment were associated with either a change in the timing of or a suppression of the pre-oestrus LH peak. Altering the timing of the LH peak resulted in the formation of large partially luteinized ovarian cysts, while suppressing LH interfered with follicular development and led to small ovarian cysts. These experiments suggest that stress acting via the adrenal gland may play a role in the aetiology of infertility in sows.
Impact of acetaldehyde‐ and pyruvic acid‐bound sulphur dioxide on wine lactic acid bacteria
Aims:  To investigate the impact of acetaldehyde‐ and pyruvic acid‐bound sulphur dioxide on wine lactic acid bacteria (LAB).