A Clinical and Endocrine Study on the Effect of Orally Administered Bacterial Endotoxin in Adult Pigs and Goats

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Endotoxin of Gram‐negative bacteria was orally administered in 5 female pigs and 8 male goats. Two of the gilts were pregnant. A solution of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Enterobacter agglomerans was mixed into the feed ration of the pigs (40 mg/animal), and given by gastric tube into the rumen of the goats (1–20 mg/animal). Jugular venous blood was collected and clinical signs, rectal temperature and WBC counts were recorded for 12–24 hours. Plasma concentrations of the major plasma metabolite of PGF2α 15‐keto‐13,14‐dihydro‐PGF2α were determined in both species, progesterone concentration only in pigs. The pigs showed slight to severe signs of endotoxemia. Increases in rectal temperature and levels of the PGF2α metabolite occurred in 3 gilts. Progesterone level and the total WBC counts remained unchanged. Differential counts followed irregular patterns mostly within the normal range. The goats showed slight signs of discomfort. Temperature increased in one animal. No other parameters were altered after the intake of LPS. The observations in pigs indicate that endotoxin either penetrated the intestinal barrier causing systemic endotoxemia or induced inflammatory reactions in the intestine activating inflammatory mediators.

This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit: