Stimulation of litter size using an immunestimulant in commercial swine

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Prenatal mortality (embryonic death) is a major economic concern for commercial pork producers in North America. Approximately 30 to 40% of normal conceptuses are lost between gestation days 15 to 50 in two well defined waves of fetal loss. Long term efforts employing genetic selection strategies specifically targeted to increasing uterine capacity or placental efficiency failed to significantly improve litter size in commercial swine. Similarly, vitamin supplements or improved balanced diet had minimal effects on litter size improvement. Our previous work provides concrete evidence that fetal arrest and subsequent death is associated with the inability of maternal lymphocytes to promote adequate blood vessel development to support growth all conceptuses. This makes maternal lymphocytes an attractive therapeutic target. We have completed a successful proof of principal trial addressing this hypothesis, using a specifically formulated prototype compound from Bioniche Life Sciences Inc for animal usage. The current application is targeted at evaluating this low cost compund developed from the platform technology of the successful human biologic that increased litter size by 3 piglets and greatly reduced runting. Aim 1 of this proposal is to compare effects of systemic administration versus intra-uterine infusion of MpRNC on maternal/fetal blood vessel development and litter size outcomes. Aim 2 is focused on Effects of MpRNC on overall postnatal health and reproductive performance of piglets born to MpRNC treated sows versus control. Aim 3 is focused on to evaluate safety and toxicity of intra-uterine infusion of MpRNC (Bioniche Life Sciences, Inc.) at the time of insemination in sows and to establish whether adverse immune response will be generated in treated dams during pregnancy and in piglets born to treated dams. The current research proposal holds the promise of a safe, easy to administer immune stimulant for pigs that specifically targets mothers blood supply, which will stimulate fetal survival during the critical time of early pregnancy. Data generated in these studies will be critical to develop a fertility enhancement application for MpRNC not just for pigs but for other domestic animals.