Intra-abdominal Abscesses in Two Göttingen Minipigs.

Minipigs are valued alternatives to dogs and non-human primates in non-clinical safety and toxicity studies, and Göttingen minipigs are bred specifically for experimental purposes. They are bred under barrier conditions and monitored regularly for many pathogens and opportunistic agents, and spontaneous disease is rare when compared to what is seen in production pigs. Knowledge of spontaneous background lesions is important when toxicological pathologists evaluate microscopic findings in pre-clinical toxicity studies to avoid interference with study data interpretation.

Spatial discrimination and visual discrimination: two methods evaluating learning and memory in juvenile Göttingen minipigs.

Two methods investigating learning and memory in juvenile Göttingen minipigs were evaluated for potential use in preclinical toxicity testing. Twelve minipigs were tested using a spatial hole-board discrimination test including a learning phase and two memory phases. Five minipigs were tested in a visual discrimination test.

Welfare of the minipig with special reference to use in regulatory toxicology studies.

This paper reviews the animal welfare challenges associated with the use of minipigs in toxicology testing, and compares these to published knowledge on the other widely used non-rodent species (dogs and non-human primates). Welfare challenges arise from housing and management of populations under laboratory conditions, and from the procedures carried out for product evaluation. Welfare assessment requires a multidisciplinary approach: cardiovascular parameters, adrenocortical hormones and behaviour are well known parameters.

Gender-associated differences in metabolic syndrome-related parameters in Göttingen minipigs.

Gender-associated differences in pathophysiology and treatment of disease are an evolving area in human medicine that should be addressed in animal models. The aim of this study was to characterize gender differences in metabolic parameters of Göttingen minipigs and to determine which gender has the metabolic profile that is most appropriate as a model for human metabolic syndrome. Blood samples were collected from fasted, lean male and female Göttingen minipigs at 8 wk and 8 mo of age.

The postnatal development of neocortical neurons and glial cells in the Göttingen minipig and the domestic pig brain.

The first mathematically unbiased estimates of neocortical cell numbers are presented from the developing pig brain, including a full description of tissue processing and optimal sampling for application of the stereological optical fractionator method in this species. The postnatal development of neocortical neurons and glial cells from the experimental Göttingen minipig was compared with the postnatal development of neocortical neurons in the domestic pig. A significant postnatal development was observed in the Göttingen minipig brain for both neuronal (28%; P=0.