Ellegaard_Minipigs_Newsletter_52

The variability was higher in the females, but the number is too
low to take a general conclusion.
Clinical Chemistry and Haematology
In the BI research pharmacokinetics group clinical chemistry is
generally performed at the end of a study to test for compound
related effects in particular on liver and kidney parameters (Table
1). Clinical chemistry data shown (Konelab analyser, Thermo)
were obtained from 15 healthy intact female (11 historic and
4 actual) and 4 castrated male Göttingen Minipigs at age of 6
to 20 month. The measured values were within the range of
historic BI and published data. Data where drug related effects
were assumed were excluded from this analysis. No relevant
differences between intact female and castrated male Göttingen
were observed. Complete blood counts were done at the age
of 16 to 3522 month in context of a routine exam (ADVIA 2120i,
Siemens). Data for the 4 intact female and 4 castrated male
Göttingen 30 Minipigs are shown in Table 2. Relevant differences
on the haematological parameters were not observed.
25
W eight (kg)
Urine volume
The renally 20 excreted amount of an administered drug can be
Conclusion
Housing, study performance and training of the mixed group of
4 intact female and 4 castrated male Göttingen Minipigs turned
out to be very uncomplicated and showed no sex differences.
Moreover, the impression was that the presence of the 4 castrated
Göttingen Minipigs had a beneficial effect on the group
stability leading to an overall reduced stress level, compared to
female only groups. We consider this relevant for animal welfare.
Further, this could also have a positive impact on quality
of data and operating efficiency, such as time savings for study
procedures, regrouping and veterinary care of fighting wounds.
Handling and behavior during the PK studies was the same for
the intact females and castrated male animals. Typical behavior
of intact male Minipigs as increasing aversion towards the procedures
was not observed. Observed differences in behavior
were small and rather related to the individual temperament of
an animal. The collected back-ground data on growth, clinical
chemistry, hematology and urine volume revealed no relevant
differences between the intact females and castrated males.
The tusk growth in the castrated male pigs was delayed for
approximately one year. Since the castrated males are easier
to handle compared to age matched intact males the safety at
work is still improved compared to intact male Minipigs. However,
tusk growth must be considered depending on the intended
used to calculate the renal clearance of a drug. Therefore, the
15
urine is collected during the period the animals stay in the metabolism
cages – usually 24 to maximally 48 hours. At the end procedures. Overall the use of mixed groups of intact female and
10
of sampling the urine volume is noted, and the respective drug castrated male Göttingen Minipigs can be recommended in the
concentration is measured to determine the excreted amount castrated of mdescribed ale pharmaceutical industry setting.
5
drug. Although the drinking water is offered in a rack making intact it fem ale
difficult to spill, it cannot be excluded that the collected volume Acknowledgements
0
is solely urine, for instance in the case of Micky (Figure 4). In We would like to thank the colleagues in the animal house for
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
some cases, no or only low volumes of urine were collected in dedicated care and training, as well as performing the daily
the 24-hour period. In these cases, usually Age (month) the urine is retained behavioural observations. We would also like to thank the
in the bladder until the Minipigs are put back in the transport colleagues who conducted and supported the PK studies in an
carts for transport to the housing area. This behavior was excellent way. Further we would like to thank Henrik Duelund
mostly observed with 2 of the 4 female pigs, but our historic Pedersen and Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs for the supply of the
observations show that this is not a general problem associated minipigs and for supporting this collaboration with BI.
with female animals.
24 h urine volume/BW
(m L/kg)
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
*
***
10% percentile
overall m ean
90% percentile
Figure 4: Urine volumes collected
from Göttingen Minipigs of 6 to
18 months of age during 24 hours
of housing in metabolism cages.
Urine volumes are corrected for
bodyweight. Red, intact female;
blue castrated male Göttingen
Minipigs.
0
M o tte
M a th ild e
W ilm a
W o lk e
M a x
M ic k y
W illi
W h is k y
9