18 TOTAL PARENTERAL NUTRITION DURING NEONATAL CARE OF THE FIRST BITRANSGENIC FEMALE BOVINE CLONE

Abstract

This work describes the treatment with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) of a 37-day cloned calf after suffering ruminal acidosis by ingestion of milk. Cells for SCNT were obtained by using a bicistronic vector for human lysozyme and lactoferrin. We obtained 7 embryos and 2 pregnancies. Only one fetus was born alive weighing 47 kg and it was presented to the neonatal unit of INTA showing a deep depression, diarrhoea, dehydration (10%), hyperthermia and inability to stand (Table 1). A 20-cm-length 20-Ga-diameter catheter (Arrow) was placed in the jugular vein. Blood samples from catheter and brachial artery showed leukocytosis, hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis (Table 1). Esophageal tube was placed to remove 5 L of ruminal content and for the administration of 2 L of a solution of sodium bicarbonate (40 g L^–1 of water). Saline (NaCl, 9 g L^–1), sodium bicarbonate (8.4 g/100 mL) and 10% dextrose were administered IV until dehydration; blood pH and glucose were corrected. Ceftriaxone 1 g IM/12 h (Acantex, Roche) to prevent bacterial translocation, 1.175 mg of flunixin meglumine (PharmaVet) as anti-endotoxic dose and 80 mg of ranitidine IV/12h (Vetanco) to prevent laminitis were also administered. Two litres of bovine plasma were administered during the first 2 days and, after this, we began with a TPN regimen due to lack of sucking reflex and animal anorexia. Kabiven (Fresenius Kabi AV) was administered at 1 g of lipids/kg/24 h by a regimen of 18 drops min^–1 to prevent hyperlipidemia at the recommended dose for humans. For this reason, we also administered dextrose 25% 12.5 drops min^–1 and amino acids 11.5% 504 mL (Rivero), to reach a dose of 10 g/kg/24 h and 2 g/kg/24 h, respectively. Saline (NaCl, 9 g L^–1) and vitamin complex (Rivial Paediatrics, Rivero) was also administered to cover water and vitamin requirements. The TPN therapy lasted 24 days during which the animal regularized its metabolic functions, reversed signs of ruminal acidosis and learned to eat a balanced ration and hay. To our knowledge, no information is available on such a long period of TPN in bovine neonates. This work shows that TPN can increase the survival chances of high risk animals and thus the final efficiency of cloning and transgenesis.

Table 1.  Clinical and haematological responses to 24-day total parenteral nutrition in a 37-day cloned female calf

The authors thank Fresenius Kavi and Rivero Laboratories for their support.