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Biomedical subjects

K Karlberg

Publications and source records attributed to K Karlberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) in postpartum cows, ewes, goats and their offspring.

Determination of plasma concentrations of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) has been used for early pregnancy diagnosis in cows. However, this is complicated by the presence of PAG in plasma for an extended period postpartum. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the postpartum elimination rates of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) in sheep, goats and cows in order to gain background information applicable to the use of PAG for pregnancy diagnosis in domestic ruminants. A second objective was to investigate whether PAG are transferred to the foetus and newborn, by measuring plasma PAG concentrations in calves, lambs and goat kids before and after colostrum feeding. PAG in the blood at parturition were eliminated by a first order process in the cows and ewes, while a two-step log-linear decline occurred in the goats. Estimated postpartum half-life of plasma PAG in the cows and ewes was 9 and 4.5 days, respectively. In the goats, half-lives were 3.6 and 7.5 days in the initial fast and terminal slow phase. Basal levels were reached 80-90 days postpartum in cows. Plasma PAG concentration can be used for pregnancy diagnosis from day 28 after AI, provided that the time interval from calving to AI is >60 days. Using a heterologous antibody RIA, we found 4 ng/mL to be the appropriate cut-off. Due to the presence of PAG residues from the previous gestation, the interval from AI to pregnancy diagnosis should increase by approximately 0.5 days beyond 28 days for each day of AI closer to calving than 60. Measurements in newborn ruminants suggested that PAG enter the foetal blood in utero and that colostral PAG are transferred to the newborn. Following the peak plasma concentration observed 1 day after birth in most of the animals, PAG were rapidly eliminated in a log-linear fashion.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Reproductive performance of gilts and sows in temperate versus subarctic and arctic zones of Norway.

The reproductive performance of gilts and sows from two regions in Norway was investigated in a retrospective analysis of data from the litter recording system. In the Northern region (North; between 65 degrees N and 71 degrees N), there are extreme shifts in natural photoperiod between winter and summer. In the Southern region (South; between 59 degrees N and 60 degrees 30'N), photoperiodic changes are less dramatic. Gilts were 8 days older at first mating or insemination in the North than in the South (P<0.01). A significantly lower proportion of sows in the North were mated or inseminated within 5 days post-weaning than in the South, a difference present both among primiparous and multiparous sows (P<0.01). Overall farrowing rate in the North was lower than in the South, but litter size (total number born) among those pigs that farrowed was larger. After correction for year, month, breed and age at first service, there were still lower odds of farrowing for gilts in North than in South. Neither for primiparous nor multiparous sows were regional differences in farrowing probability significant when year, month, breed and weaning to service interval were included in the model. Gilts and primiparous sows had a lower probability of farrowing following insemination during summer or autumn months, but service month was not significantly related to the farrowing probability of multiparous sows. For gilts, litter size was positively related to age at first service. For sows, litter size was lowest at weaning to service intervals between 6 and 10 days. Total numbers of piglets born per litter were estimated to be 0.36, 0.38 and 0.55 larger in the North than in the South (differences in least square means; gilts, primiparous sows and multiparous sows, respectively) (P<0.01). Litter size was lower after service during natural long photoperiod than during the rest of the year.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

The importance of farrowing to service interval in sows served during lactation or after shorter lactation than 28 days.

In a retrospective study, based on data from the national litter recording system, farrowing rate and litter size of sows served (inseminated or mated) during the lactation period (n = 574) or after a lactation period shorter than 28 days (n = 14,219) were analysed. The results were compared with the corresponding figures for sows with lactation length between 28 and 35 days and weaning to first service interval of 4 or 5 days (reference group; n = 41,741). The farrowing rate of the reference group was 80.9% and subsequent litter size was 13.7 total piglets born. Among sows served prior to weaning, the farrowing rates and litter sizes were significantly lower for those served earlier than 22 days post-farrowing compared to those served later (P < 0.05). Shorter lactations than 28 days and service within 10 days post-weaning led to lower farrowing rates than in the reference group (P < 0.01). Significant differences were seen after different lactation lengths. After correction for weaning to service interval, preceding litter size weaned, parity, breed and the interaction between parity and breed, litter size was significantly and positively associated with the preceding lactation length. The study shows that service within the first 3 weeks post-farrowing results in reduced reproductive performance.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Oestrone sulphate measurements for the prediction of small or large litters in pigs.

Serum from 88 pregnant sows and gilts was sampled 24 and 28 days after their first insemination or mating day. The oestrone sulphate (E1S) concentration in the samples was assessed with a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit modified for use with swine serum. The first aim was to test whether it was possible to predict litters of total number <10 piglets at term. The second aim was to compare the use of day 24 or day 28 samples, or of both, in this prediction. Day 24 E1S levels were positively correlated with litter size at term (R2 = 0.26; p <0.001). E1S levels on day 28 were correlated with the levels on day 24 in the same animals but could not be used for prediction of large or small litters. The odds ratio for a small litter size was 0.16 (p <0.01). This means that odds for a litter size <10 piglets decreased by 84% when E1S levels increased by 1.0 ng/ml.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Body condition related to ketosis and reproductive performance in Norwegian dairy cows.

The relationships between body condition score (BCS) and ketosis, and between BCS and reproductive performance in 732 moderate yielding, dual-purpose cows were studied. The cows were of the breed Norwegian Cattle. Farms with tie-stall barns and a history of high ketosis incidence were chosen for the study. Sixteen assessors visited the farms monthly and the same assessor assigned a BCS to each cow once a month. A BCS of 3.5 or higher at calving was associated with increased risk for ketosis. Cows that subsequently developed ketosis had higher BCS than healthy cows before the disease was diagnosed, and they lost more body condition than did the latter after ketosis had occurred. Summer calving cows and primiparous cows showed the lowest risk of ketosis. A history of ketosis before first service decreased the likelihood of conception to that service. Loss in body condition during the postpartum period was associated with decreased likelihood of conception to first service, prolonged calving to conception intervals and increased number of artificial inseminations per conception. Reproductive performance was not associated with BCS at calving. We concluded that BCS is a useful method of monitoring relations among nutritional management, reproduction, and ketosis in moderate yielding dual-purpose cows.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1992

Calculation of restriction fragment lengths by image processing.

The image processing system, LabEye Profile, calculates the size of DNA restriction fragments according to the formula MD = f(x); x = 1/log bp. The migration distances (MD) of known fragment sizes are interpolated by the use of cubic splines. Cubic splines are also used to correct for gel distortions. A comparison to the Biotrac system, which uses the reciprocal method, gives almost identical standard deviations for calculated sizes compared to known sizes, 0.88% for LabEye Profile and 0.89% for Biotrac. The measurement error for LabEye Profile is 0.24% of the size of the fragments.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1989

The effect of active immunization of ewes against androstenedione on lambing rate and production.

Active immunization of sheep of the Dala breed against androstenedione caused a mean increase in number of lambs born (live-born and stillborn) of 0.29 (p less than 0.01). In yearlings the difference was 0.43 lambs (p less than 0.01) and in older ewes 0.23 lambs (p less than 0.1). Five of the older immunized ewes gave birth to quadruplets while none in the control group gave birth to more than 3 lambs. In older ewes there was an increase in the number of stillborn lambs. In young immunized ewes the mean ewe production, registered as total live weight of lambs in the autumn, was 11.3 kg higher than in control animals. This difference was however not significant (p less than 0.1).

Androstenedione↗
PubMed1983

The relationship between plasma levels of estradiol-17beta, progesterone and the consistency of the cervix in the sow.

The object of this investigation was to estimate the peripheral plasma levels of estradiol-17beta and progesterone and the consistency of the cervix by rectal palpation of sows before, during and after post-weaning estrus. The tonicity of the cervix increased from approximately 4 days before the onset of heat, became firmest during estrus, and became softer again during the post-estrual period. The levels of estradiol increased before the onset of heat and reached maximum levels on the day preceding heat, then decreased to baseline. The progesterone levels remained low until post-estrus, then increased rapidly. One sow which did not come in heat constantly had a soft cervix and low hormone levels. It is concluded that estrogen might be implicated in the increased tonicity of the cervix and that rectal examination of the cervix provides valuable information on ovarian function.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1981

Post weaning oestrus and luteal function in primiparous and pluriparous sows.

The ovarian activity in 33 primiparous and 52 pluriparous post weaning sows was studied by progesterone determination. The progesterone profiles revealed that 90.4 per cent of the pluriparous and 66.7 per cent of the primiparous sows had resumed ovarian activity within 10 days. Ovulation within 10 days with overt oestrus occurred in 45.5 per cent of the primiparous and in 53.8 per cent of the pluriparous sows. Ovulation without detectable heat ('silent heat') occurred in 31 per cent of all sows during the first 10 days after weaning. The ability to resume ovarian activity was better in sows weaned in the period January to June than in sows weaned from July to December. Irregularities of luteal function were seldom observed in unmated sows. In mated sows which later proved to be non-pregnant, high progesterone values were common three weeks after mating.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Factors affecting postweaning oestrus in the sow.

An investigation of the factors affecting postweaning oestrus in the sow, comprising 3019 weanings in 75 herds (Norwegian Landrace) located in the southeastern area of Norway, was carried out in 1977 and 1978. The percentage of primiparous and pluriparous sows which came into oestrus during the first 7 days of the postweaning period was 52.3% and 77.4% respectively. The ovaries of sows slaughtered because of failure to come into heat after weaning were examined, results showing that the ovaries in 46.2% of the primiparous and 78.3% of the pluriparous sows had corpora lutea ("silent heat"). Ovaries lacking luteal tissue (anoestrus) were found in 38.5% of the primiparous and 13.0% of the pluriparous sows. The time lapse between weaning and first oestrus in primiparous sows was significantly longer in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year as compared with the 1st and 2nd quarters (P less than 0.01). Postweaning oestrus occurred later in sows on a low feeding level than in sows on a high feeding level (P less than 0.01). The presence of a boar in the same room in which the sows were kept after weaning did not influence the length of the weaning to oestrus period. If herd size was increased by one sow, the time which elapsed between weaning and first oestrus decreased on average by 0.17 days (P less than 0.01).

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1980

[Pregnancy examination in the sow. A comparison of two types of ultrasound equipment and rectal examination (author's transl)].

The accuracy in using different types of ultrasound equipment (puls echo and Doppler) and rectal examination for pregnancy control in the sow was studied. The ultrasound instrument of the puls echo type had low accuracy in non pregnant sow and high frequency of uncertain diagnosis. Concerning the Doppler instrument the accuracy was lowest in pregnant sows. This instrument had low frequency of uncertain diagnosis. Of the two ultrasound instruments studied, the Doppler instrument was considered the most suitable for pregnancy examination in the sow. Rectal examination gave 100% correct diagnosis in the period 30-60 days after mating. Some sows were examined rectally 19-24 days after mating, but during this period the diagnoses were uncertain.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Induction of parturition in sows using prostaglandin F2 alpha or the analogue cloprostenol.

The induction of parturition in sows has been studied using prostaglandin F2 alpha or the analogue cloprostenol on day 112, 113 or 114 of gestation. No difference between treatments was found concerning the interval from injection to parturition, the incidence of stillborn piglets or the piglet viability during the first 48 hours. Whiel 58.3 per cent of the PGF2 alpha-treated sows demonstrated side effects, the corresponding percentage among cloprostenol-treated sows was 5.0. The dominating side effects were biting of cage bars and increased respiratory rate.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Culling of gilts with special reference to reproductive failure.

The present investigation comprised 2041 gilts (Swedish Landrase + Swedish Yorkshire) selected for breeding purposes at 10 weeks of age belonging to one large herd in Sweden. Of all selected gilts 54.5% were culled without farrowing any litter. The reproductive disturbances represented 21.7% of the cullings and together with slow growth rate, high backfat thickness and inverted teats, constituted the main reason for culling. In gilts above 9 months of age 66.9% of the cullings were caused by reproductive disturbances, anoestrus being the dominating reason. Only 2.8% of gilts born during July-September were culled because of oestrous failure, while the corresponding figure for gilts born during January-March was 9.6% (p less than 0.001). Furthermore a highly significant annual variation was found among gilts culled because of anoestrus (p less than 0.001). Among expected pregnant gilts 6.6% were culled because of failure to farrow.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of a prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) for induction of parturition in pigs with prolonged gestation.

The effect of a prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) for initiation of parturition in sows with prolonged gestation (greater than or equal to 117 days) has been studied. The length of the period from injection to farrowing varied from 15 to 48 hours in sows with plasma progesterone level higher than 10.0 nmol/l at treatment, being on average 25.7 hours. Litter size at birth and at time of weaning are presented.

Animals↗