Effect of alpha-ketoglutarate given to pregnant sows on the development of the humerus and femur in newborns

Abstract

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) was given to pregnant sows every day starting from the 91(st) d of pregnancy to farrowing. At the same time control pregnant sows were treated in the same way with physiological saline (PhS). Newborn piglets from the experimental (AKG) and control (PhS) mothers were euthanised in 1 h after their birth, and the femora and humeri were isolated and frozen at -25 degrees C until further analyses. Using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) method, volumetric bone density of the cortical and trabecular bone compartments were estimated. Moreover, geometrical and mechanical parameters of the bones and the level of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase activity in serum were determined. It was found that the administration of AKG to pregnant sows during 24 d before parturition decreased bone density in their newborns.