Growth and Behavior of Congenitally Anophthalmic Lee-Sung Pigs

Comp Med. 2019 May 1;69(3):212-220. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-CM-18-000095. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Abstract

Circadian rhythm is usually regulated by the environmental light-dark cycle. Congenitally anophthalmic miniature pigs provide a valuable model for the study of factors affecting circadian rhythms in the absence of visual exposure to the light-dark cycle. This study investigated the growth and daily behavior patterns of Lee-Sung pigs with congenital anophthalmia. Growth in 5 Lee-Sung pigs (LSP) with congenital anophthalmia (LSP-A) and 10 normally developed pigs (LSP-N) was assessed when they were 1 through 6 mo old. Behavioral studies using digital video recording were completed in 6 sexually mature LSP (3 LSP-A and 3 LSP-N). MRI showed that LSP-A lose their vision because of a lack of retinal input and optic chiasm development. LSP-N and LSP-A did not differ in body weight or size at 2, 4, and 6 mo of age. Behavior and activity pattern studies showed that both LSP-A and LSP-N were active mainly during daylight, but LSP-A spent significantly more time exploring their environment during the day (28%) and night (10%) than did LSP-N. This study revealed that growth performance was similar between LSP-A and normal pigs, but their behavior and activity patterns differed. LSP-A showed circadian rhythm abnormalities similar to those in blind humans. This study provides basic data on LSP-A as a model for studying compensatory cross-modal brain plasticity and hormone regulation in the absence of retinal input is deficient and for understanding the role of circadian rhythm regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anophthalmos / diagnostic imaging
  • Anophthalmos / physiopathology
  • Anophthalmos / veterinary*
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Blindness / physiopathology
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Motor Activity
  • Optic Chiasm / abnormalities
  • Optic Chiasm / diagnostic imaging
  • Optic Nerve / abnormalities
  • Optic Nerve / diagnostic imaging
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / congenital*
  • Swine Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Swine Diseases / physiopathology
  • Swine, Miniature / abnormalities*
  • Swine, Miniature / growth & development
  • Swine, Miniature / physiology