Dexamethasone treatment at birth enhances neonatal growth in swine

The objective of the present study was to determine if dexamethasone (Dex; a potent synthetic glucocorticoid) treatment at birth would alter postnatal growth in neonatal pigs. Forty crossbred pigs were injected i.m. with either sterile saline (Cont; n = 10 males and 10 females) or Dex (1 mg/kg; n = 10 males and 10 females) within 1 hr of birth. All pigs remained with their respective dams until 18 d of age. Body weights were recorded weekly and on d 18. On d 17, all pigs were nonsurgically fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter and placed back with the sows. On d 18, all pigs were placed in individual pens for serial blood collection. Birth weights (1.53 +/- .04 kg) did not differ between birth treatments or sex classes (P > 0.70 and 0.89, respectively). A time by treatment effect was detected (P < 0.007) for body weight such that those pigs which received Dex at birth had the greatest body weights during the 18-d period. Average daily gain was increased (P < 0.017) by 12.2% in those pigs which received Dex at birth (.286 +/- .007) as compared to the Cont pigs (.255 +/- .01 kg/d). Serum concentration of IGF-I was influenced by both treatment (P < 0.0001) and sex class (P < 0.013). In the male pigs, Dex increased (P = 0.0041) serum concentration of IGF-1 by 47% as compared to Cont male pigs, whereas in the females, Dex increased (P < 0.011) serum concentration of IGF-1 by 34% as compared to Cont female pigs. Dex treatment reduced (P < 0.002) serum IGF-2 by 12.8%. Serum concentration of IGFBP-3 was influenced by both birth treatment (P < 0.007) and sex class (P < 0.002) such that Dex treatment increased serum IGFBP-3, and higher concentrations of IGFBP-3 were observed in boars as compared to gilts. These data suggest that the early neonatal period may be an opportune time to alter physiological factors which influence growth in swine. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.