All animal work was done in accordance with NEOMED IACUC approval, protocol #17-04-071. Two Yorkshire/Landrace cross pregnant sows were used to obtain neonatal pigs at 114 days of gestation, one day prior to term (Shoup Farms, Wooster, Ohio). The two groups of experimental pigs and all subsequent data collection were done at different times, approximately 6 months apart. Delivering pigs by Cesarean section provides consistency and is relevant to studies using preterm infant pigs at an age where induction for vaginal delivery will not be possible. With the ultimate goal of comparing term infant pigs with preterm infant pigs in future studies, all animals for the study were be delivered by C-section. Although much of the postnatal infant care and design followed previous studies [13 , 32 (link), 38 ], the procedures involving C-section described below established a new protocol for this lab, and are described here for the first time.
The sow was sedated with Telazol (10ml IM), placed on a surgical table, and anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane. Standard aseptic procedures were followed during the C-section. The right mid abdominal flank was shaved and a sterile surgical field was prepared using betadine followed by isopropyl alcohol 70%. The site of the incision was injected with lidocaine (15 ml, SC), sterile drapes were placed, and a 12 cm incision was made to expose the uterus. The neonatal pigs were removed individually by making an incision in the uterus. After the umbilical cord was clamped and cut the pigs were wrapped in a warm towel, fluid in the airways was allowed to drain with additional fluid removed by aspiration. The newborn pigs were placed in a warmed incubator (38–39° C). Pigs with slowed breathing had the chest rubbed and were paired with strong breathers to encourage spontaneous ventilation. Body temperature was maintained between 38 to 40° C. After delivery of the entire litter, the mother was euthanized. We largely followed the protocols previously developed and validated [60 , 63 (link)]. Within two hours, the neonatal pigs were fed infant pig formula Solustart Pig Milk Replacement, Land o’ Lakes, Arden Mills, MN) from a bottle fitted with a specially designed nipple. Subsequent care followed validated and standard care for infant pigs, which supports normal growth and development [24 , 26 (link), 65 (link), 67 (link)]. This formula is standard for infant pigs, both in research and agricultural settings, and promotes normal growth [36 (link)].
The sow was sedated with Telazol (10ml IM), placed on a surgical table, and anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane. Standard aseptic procedures were followed during the C-section. The right mid abdominal flank was shaved and a sterile surgical field was prepared using betadine followed by isopropyl alcohol 70%. The site of the incision was injected with lidocaine (15 ml, SC), sterile drapes were placed, and a 12 cm incision was made to expose the uterus. The neonatal pigs were removed individually by making an incision in the uterus. After the umbilical cord was clamped and cut the pigs were wrapped in a warm towel, fluid in the airways was allowed to drain with additional fluid removed by aspiration. The newborn pigs were placed in a warmed incubator (38–39° C). Pigs with slowed breathing had the chest rubbed and were paired with strong breathers to encourage spontaneous ventilation. Body temperature was maintained between 38 to 40° C. After delivery of the entire litter, the mother was euthanized. We largely followed the protocols previously developed and validated [60 , 63 (link)]. Within two hours, the neonatal pigs were fed infant pig formula Solustart Pig Milk Replacement, Land o’ Lakes, Arden Mills, MN) from a bottle fitted with a specially designed nipple. Subsequent care followed validated and standard care for infant pigs, which supports normal growth and development [24 , 26 (link), 65 (link), 67 (link)]. This formula is standard for infant pigs, both in research and agricultural settings, and promotes normal growth [36 (link)].
