Recombinant porcine lactoferrin expressed in the milk of transgenic mice enhances offspring growth performance.

The European Commission has proposed a permanent ban on the use of antibiotics as an ingredient in animal feed to promote growth. Lactoferrin is a globular multifunctional protein that has been shown to play a role in iron absorption and to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, lactoferrin may serve as a nontherapeutic alternative to antibiotics in livestock husbandry.

Oral immunization using formalin-inactivated Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigens entrapped in microspheres with aqueous dispersion polymers prepared using a co-spray drying process.

Oral-vaccine microspheres based on formalin-inactivated Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 (AP-1) antigens and enteric-coated polymers were prepared using a co-spray drying process. We evaluated using this for a peroral vaccine. We measured specific-antibody titers and protection from challenge in mouse and pig models.

Influence of Age on the Electrocardiographic Waves in Taiwanese Lan-Yu Miniature Pigs.

The purpose of the study reported here was to determine baseline information of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the influence of age on cardiac function in Taiwanese Lan-Yu (TLY) miniature pigs. Non-anesthetized TLY minipigs (from birth to 6 months of age) were placed on a webbed stanchion, simulating a standing position, for acquisition of an ECG, using six limb leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF), with each as a single-channel ECG recorder. The P and T waves obtained from leads I, III, and aVL were useful in determining the subtle cardiac changes during maturation of TLY minipigs.

Reduction of human-to-pig cellular response by alteration of porcine MHC with human HLA DPW0401 exogenes.

Background: In pig-to-human discordant xenotransplantation, the xenograft can be rejected by a formidable human xenogenic T-cell response, even if the graft has gone through hyperacute rejection or delayed xenograft rejection (acute vascular rejection). We therefore examined, in this study, whether the human-to-pig cellular response could be attenuated through the generation of a transgenic pig for human HLA II.

Methods: With the technique of microinjection, we produced the HLA DPw0401 transgenic pig.