The objective was to determine the effects of floor temperature (20 or 30 C), supplemental heat (heat lamp or light bulb) and drying at birth on piglet survival to day 5. Rectal and infrared skin temperatures were taken on 326 piglets for the first 8 hr postpartum. Blood samples were obtained at birth, day 2 and day 5 and analyzed for thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and cortisol by radioimmunoassay. Weight of each pig was recorded at birth and on days 1, 2, and 5. Survival rates were monitored daily. It was postulated that piglets not dried at birth might have increased heat conservation because of vasoconstriction, which may increase the thermostability and survival of the neonate. Supplemental heat was the only treatment that increased rectal temperature after 3 hr postpartum. Skin temperature at 1/2 and 1 hr was increased by drying, and supplemental heat resulted in elevated skin temperatures from 5 to 8 hr postpartum. Plasma cortisol concentrations were elevated at 2 days of age among pigs not given supplemental heat, but no differences were detected at 5 days of age. Plasma T4 concentrations at 5 days of age were lower among male pigs, pigs on the 30 C floor and pigs given supplemental heat. No significant treatment effects were noted in T3 values at day 5. Pig weights and survival rate at 5 days of age were influenced by the interaction of floor temperature and drying pigs at birth. Pigs dried at birth and kept on the 20 C floor were heavier than those on the 30 C floor, whereas those not dried and kept on the 20 C floor weighed less than those on the 30 C floor. The rate of survival was significantly lower among pigs dried at birth and kept on the 20 C floor than among those not dried and on the 30 C floor (80.9 vs 97.2%), while drying had no effect on survival rate among pigs on the 30 C floor (94.5 vs 93.1%).

A hypocoagulable TEG tracing, particularly a decreased G value and MA, is associated with an increased mortality in crotaline snake envenomation. G and MA also demonstrate a significant increase over treatment time.

No abstract

An in vitro method was used to estimate rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation in fast (broiler) and slow (White Leghorn) growing birds. Four birds/strain were sacrificed at weekly intervals for 8 wk and biweekly thereafter to wk 14. The extensor digitalis communis, a muscle containing both red and white type fibers and the extensor carpi ulnaris, a white fiber-type muscle, were removed from the right wing and incubated in a Krebs-Ringer solution that contained either 14C-tyrosine for determination of rates of protein synthesis or cycloheximide for determination of rates of protein degradation. The contralateral muscles were removed and muscle weight, length and volume recorded. Proximate analysis was conducted on the carcass and inedible portions of the birds to determine protein, fat and moisture content. Nucleic acid concentrations were measured in the wing muscles. Broilers grew more rapidly than Leghorns, with a twofold difference in body weight by wk 3 and a threefold difference by wk 8. The greater total protein deposition, with more of this protein deposited in the carcass portion than the inedible portion. White muscle had a greater growth rate than the mixed fiber type muscle. Concentrations of RNA and DNA were similar between strains.