title: Short- and long-term influence of perinatal dexamethasone treatment on swine growth.
abstract: The objective was to evaluate the effects of perinatal dexamethasone (Dex) treatment on postnatal growth in pigs. Experiment 1: 42 piglets were assigned according to birth weight and sex to receive either Dex (1 mg/kg body weight) or sterile saline (Control; equivalent volume) i.m. within 1h of birth. Body weights were recorded weekly and at sacrifice (day 18). Birth weights (1.43 +/- 0.05 kg) did not differ between treatment groups (P > 0.19). At day 18, Dex pigs were heavier than Control pigs (5.46 +/- 0.24 and 4.45 +/- 0.26 kg, respectively). Serum IGF-1 was 17.3% higher in Dex pigs (P < 0.04) compared to Controls. For serum GH, there was a treatment x sex interaction (P < 0.04) with GH being 51% lower in Dex males compared to Control males, and no differences in females. Experiment 2: 71 pigs were assigned according to birth weight and sex to receive either Dex (2 mg/kg body weight) or sterile saline (Control; equivalent volume) i.m. within 1 h of birth. Body weights were recorded weekly until weaning (day 21) and then every 14th day until market weight. Birth weights (1.53 +/- 0.03 kg) did not differ (P > 0.35) between treatment groups or sexes. Dexamethasone increased growth from birth to market weight by 4.15%. Carcass weights were not different (P > 0.34) between Dex (89.9 +/- 1.17 kg) and Control pigs (88.6 +/- 1.36 kg). Overall, Dex enhanced growth in pigs from birth to market weight with minimal effects on carcass and meat quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Seaman-Bridges
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Safranski
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D001724:Birth Weight; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000235:genetics; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000235:genetics; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000235:genetics; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development*; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1