Orozco-Gregorio Héctor, Mota-Rojas Daniel, Bonilla-Jaime Herlinda, Trujillo-Ortega María E, Becerril-Herrera Marcelino, Hernández-González Rafael, Villanueva-García Dina
Department of Animal Production and Agriculture, Área de Investigación: Ecodesarrollo de la Producción Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco, CP 04960, México DF.
Am J Vet Res. 2010 Oct;71(10):1214-9. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.10.1214.
To determine effects of 2 doses of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia.
180 neonatal pigs.
Neonatal pigs were assigned to 2 groups (groups P and F) on the basis of results for a vitality scale (passed or failed, respectively). Within each group, there were 3 subgroups of 30 pigs each. Within each group, the 3 subgroups received a placebo that consisted of an empty gelatin capsule, a gelatin capsule that contained 20 mg of caffeine, and a gelatin capsule that contained 35 mg of caffeine, respectively; all capsules were administered orally (0 hours). Blood samples were collected immediately before and 24 hours after capsule administration.
Pigs in groups P and F that received 20 or 35 mg of caffeine had significant increases in triglyceride concentrations. All pigs in groups P and F had a significant decrease in lactate concentrations, although the placebo-treated pigs in group F had larger decreases than did the group F pigs treated with 20 or 35 mg of caffeine. Glucose concentrations increased significantly in group F pigs treated with 20 or 35 mg of caffeine (30% and 50%, respectively), whereas glucose concentrations remained unchanged in group P pigs. In pigs treated with 35 mg of caffeine, the final weight obtained for group F was approximately 8% lower than that obtained for group P.
Administering caffeine immediately after birth to neonatal pigs with severe oxygen restriction resulted in significant improvements in metabolic variables.
