Publications by authors named "R Swanson"
Demands for animal products are projected to increase in the future, and animal production is key to agricultural sustainability and food security; consequently, enhancing ruminant livestock production efficiencies in sustainable ways is a major goal for the livestock industry. Developmental programming is the concept that various stressors, including compromised maternal nutrition during critical developmental windows will result in both short- and long-term changes in the offspring. Ruminant models of developmental programming indicate that compromised maternal nutrition, including global under and over-nutrition, macronutrients, and specific micronutrients, including amino acids (Met and Arg), vitamins (folate, B, and choline), and minerals (sulfur, cobalt, and selenium) can alter offspring outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe neuroendocrine hormone melatonin is associated with circadian rhythms and has antioxidant and vasodilative properties. In cattle, melatonin rescues fetal growth during maternal nutrient restriction in a seasonally dependent manner, but melatonin research in swine is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary melatonin supplementation during mid to late gestation on circadian rhythm and muscle growth and development of the longissimus dorsi in utero and postnatally.
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- Systems consolidation during sleep involves the interaction between hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) and neocortical UP/DOWN states, though the exact coupling mechanisms are still unclear.
- Research using mouse models shows that there is a precise bidirectional relationship between hippocampal activity and neocortical states, particularly in deep sleep where the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) plays a significant role.
- The study proposes a model where the hippocampus and RSC interact as weakly coupled, excitable systems that can influence each other, suggesting RSC may help transmit SWRs to neocortex areas by triggering DOWN states.
Article Synopsis
- Psychotherapy incorporating equine interaction (PIE) is being explored as a potential enhancement to traditional treatments for substance use disorder (SUD) by addressing stress through interaction with horses.
- This study measured cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in SUD patients undergoing either PIE or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) over two weeks.
- Results showed no significant differences in cortisol levels between the two therapy groups, suggesting that short-term interventions might not effectively reduce stress levels, indicating a need for more research on the best therapeutic practices and durations.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates the effects of seminal plasma uterine priming at estrus on various reproductive and developmental outcomes in cattle, focusing on the uterus of the dam and her offspring.
- - Cows were treated with either seminal plasma or a control, and various measurements including uterine biopsies, embryo size, and calf growth were taken at distinct stages of gestation and post-birth.
- - Results showed changes in uterine gene expression, with notable differences in embryo size and calf heart girth, but no significant effects on birth weight or liver gene expression in the offspring at 30 days.