ARS | Publication request: Effect of maternal stress on the stress hormone and growth response of pigs to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge

Submitted to: Joint Meeting of the ADSA, AMSA, ASAS and PSA
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 14, 2007
Publication Date: July 7, 2007
Citation: Williams, P., Carroll, J.A., Dailey, J.W., Welsh, T., Laurenz, J. 2007. Effect of maternal stress on the stress hormone and growth response of pigs to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 85(Suppl. 1):87. Abstract No. M266.

Technical Abstract: This study assessed the effect of maternal stress on the stress hormone and growth response of the progeny following an endotoxin challenge. Sows were assigned to one of two treatments (n = 10 per treatment) and subjected to either a daily 5-min restraint stress (stressed; S) from d 84 to d 112 of gestation or managed per current industry standards (non-stressed; NS). All sows were then managed similarly through farrowing and lactation. At weaning (20.0 ± 0.3 d), pigs from S and NS sows (n = 40 per treatment balanced for litter and gender) were selected, transferred to a climate controlled facility where they were placed into individual pens, and allowed ad libitum access to feed and water. Pigs were allowed to acclimate for 14 d before LPS challenge. On d 14, pigs were weighed and non-surgically fitted with jugular catheters. On d 15, pigs were infused i.v. with LPS (25 ug/kg BW) and blood samples collected every 30 min for 1 h prior to and 6 h following LPS challenge. Serum was analyzed for cortisol (CS), norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E). Weekly weights were taken and average daily gain (ADG) prior to and following LPS challenge calculated. Baseline (pre-LPS) CS, E, and NE were not affected (P > 0.05) by maternal treatment. Consistent with previous reports, CS, E, and NE increased (P < 0.01) in a time-dependent manner following LPS with peak values at 3, 1, and 0.5 h post-infusion. Although not affecting the temporal pattern, S pigs had a decreased (P < 0.01) CS response and tended (P = 0.07) to have a greater E response following LPS. Furthermore, there was a tendency (P = 0.08) for S pigs to have greater NE than NS pigs post-LPS. Maternal treatment did not affect (P > 0.40) ADG prior to or following LPS challenge. However, there was a positive relationship between ADG prior to the LPS challenge and peak NE following LPS (r = 0.29; P<0.01) and a negative relationship between peak E and ADG following LPS (r = -0.23; P<0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that maternal stress alters the stress hormone response of the progeny to an endotoxin challenge.