Effects of prenatal maternal TRH stimulation on the postnatal ability of neonatal piglets to cope with a cold challenge

• Published in: Biology of the neonate Vol. 73; no. 6; pp. 395 - 403
• Main Authors: FINSTEN, A, DONALD, A, BATE, L. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel Karger 01.06.1998; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - drug effects; Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Age Factors; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Animals; Animals, Newborn - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cold Temperature - adverse effects; Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death; Female; Intensive care medicine; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Swine; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone - pharmacology; Thyroxine - blood; Triiodothyronine - blood; Animal model; Body temperature; Peptide hormone; Thermoregulation; Pig; Hypothalamic hormone; TSH-RH; Vertebrata; Newborn diseases; Mammalia; Newborn animal; Hormonal regulation; Artiodactyla; Hormone releasing factor; Ungulata; Adaptation; Hypothermia
• ISSN: 0006-3126; 1661-7800; 1421-9727; 1661-7819
• DOI: 10.1159/000014002

The effect of administering thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) before farrowing on the ability of their newborn piglets to withstand a cold challenge was studied. Sows received intravenous infusions of TRH (5 microg kg(-1); TRH group) or physiological saline (0.9% NaCl; control group) from day 105 of gestation until farrowing. The plasma concentrations of thyroxine and triiodothyronine increased in sows treated with TRH. There were no differences in thyroxine and triiodothyronine between pigs born to sows in the TRH group and those of the control group. The rectal temperature of piglets born to TRH-treated sows decreased less than that of piglets born to controls as a consequence of a 1-hour cold challenge. Piglets born to sows in the TRH group had higher body weights at birth, and by day 28 they were an average 600 g heavier than those born to sows in the control group. Summarizing, prenatal maternal treatment with TRH appears to increase piglets' resistance to cold as well as to have beneficial effects on birth and weaning weights.