HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Morris, G. L. Articles by Simon, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Morris, G. L. Articles by Simon, J.

Perinatal Piglets Under Sublethal Concentrations of Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801

Abstract

Perinatal exposure to atmospheric carbon monoxide at sublethal concentrations affected neonatal piglets negatively. Low total hemoglobin concentration and oxyhemoglobin saturation ratio were present at birth in piglets farrowed by gilts that had been exposed to carbon monoxide at 250 ppm from gestation d 109 on, but stillbirth rate was only 4.8%. Carboxyhemoglobin saturation ratio increased from .0 to 19.8 and 22.4% as carbon monoxide concentration rose from background (<5 ppm) to 200 and 250 ppm. Carbon monoxide affected neonatal piglets' behavior. Piglets exposed to atmospheric carbon monoxide at 250 ppm perinatally took longer to nurse for the first time than did counterparts under background or 200-ppm concentrations. Those under carbon monoxide at 250 ppm had compromised performance in behavior tests that measured a piglet's ability to orient itself in, maneuver in and investigate its environment, respectively.

¹ Anim. Sci. Dept. Address reprint requests to: 126 Anim. Sci. Lab., 1207 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801.

² Present address: Provimi Veal, Inc., Watertown, WI 53094.

³ Vet. Pathobiol. Dept.