Influence of estrus synchronization of prepubertal gilts on embryo quality.

Synchronization and superovulation are commonly used to obtain large numbers of embryos for experimental and practical purposes. This study compared the number, quality, and in vitro development of embryos recovered from gilts following single or double estrus synchronization and superovulation. Prepubertal gilts from the single synchronization group were injected with 1500 I.U. PMSG and 1000 I.U. hCG 72 h later. The double synchronized group of gilts was treated with 750 I.U. PMSG and 500 I.U. hCG 72 h later. After 17 days, 1500 I.U. PMSG followed by 1000 I.U. hCG was administered. Five days after insemination embryos were recovered and cultured for 6 days. Both single and double hormonal stimulation schedules resulted in recovery of elevated numbers of embryos (28.4 and 23.4 vs. 11.3; p<0.01 and p

Response of Piglets to Oral Administration of Lactic Acid Bacteria.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of orally administered Streptococcus faecium M74, Lactobacillus casei spp., Streptococcus thermophilus spp., and Lactobacillus bulgaricus spp. on growth, development of digestive organs, intestinal microflora, and local mucosal immunity of piglets. Mixed-sex piglets were used in the experiments. Bottle feeding of S. faecium M74 plus L. casei spp. increased weight gain in piglets of different litters, but not in piglets of the same litter. The S. thermophilus spp. plus L. bulgaricus spp. cultures improved only weight gain for 12 to 21 days of age. There was no significant effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) administration on plasma glucose, urea, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins, albumin, and globulins. The number of lactobacilli was higher and the enterococci and coliforms lower in the groups fed LAB than in the control group. The ratio of lactobacilli to coliforms increased in the intestinal contents of the LAB groups. The pH values of the gut contents were not affected by treatments. Although a significant effect on the size of the digestive organs was not found, the liver weight was smaller and the intestinal length shorter in the treated than in the control group. There were no significant differences in the level of interleukin-2 in the tissues of the jejunum and ileum. However, in the group given S. faecium M74 plus L. casei spp. the interleukin-2 concentration in the ileal tissues increased from 3.74 (control) to 7.43 ng/g. The histological structure of the ileal epithelium of the group of piglets given S .faecium M74 plus L. casei spp., showed an increase in the phagocytic activity of the cells. Some differences in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the location of the implanted microvilli were observed in the group given S. thermophilus spp. plus L. bulgaricus spp.