According to the present level of knowledge and a given essentiality of this ultratrace element, V deficiency in flora, fauna and man need not be reckoned with in practice. It seems that there is no danger of a V overload via foodstuffs in Central Europe. However, the V emissions due to burning V-rich fossile fuels must be taken into consideration internationally.

The concentration of epinephrine, norepinephrine and lactate were measured in blood collected from pigs at slaughter after electric stunning with 220 V and compared with pH values (pH 45 ) and conductivity (LF 45 ) in Longissimus dorsi muscle 45 minutes after slaughter. In group 1 [Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)] the concentration of norepinephrine was significant higher than in group 2 [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace]) (66.2 ± 3.6 vs. 54.7 ± 3.9 ng/ml). Also, the level of lactate was significant higher in group 1 than in group 2(10.8 ± 0.5 vs. 9.1 ± 0.6 mmoles/l). However, no differences between the two groups were found in the concentrations of epinephrine (46.5 ± 2.5 vs. 46.8 ± 1.4 ng(ml), in pH 45 (6.68 ± 0.06 vs. 6.68 ± 0.09) and in LF 45 values (3.20 ± 0.06 vs. 3.21 ± 0.10 mS/cm). A correlation between the levels of epinephrine or norepinephrine and pH 45 or LF 45 was not detected.

The purpose of this study was to show the behaviour of the plasma level of catecholamines in stress-susceptible pigs during an acute stress and to gain new insights in the role of catecholamines in the initiation of malignant hyperthermia. Therefore, a halothane challenge test was performed in stress-susceptible growing pigs, and the changes of haematocrit, hormones and metabolites were monitored during the handling before the test, during halothane exposure and thereafter. Already in connection with the handling before the test, haematocrit values and plasma levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucose, lactate and potassium increased significantly. However, the plasma concentration of cortisol and free glycerol increased gradually and the level of nonesterified fatty acids did not show any changes. While the levels of catecholamines and potassium decreased already during halothane exposure, haematocrit values and concentrations of glucose and lactate continued to increase. The present results indicate that the catecholamines are not involved in the initiation of malignant hyperthermia.

The aim of the experiments was to evaluate the effect of an acute stressor (snare restraint for 5 min) on hormonal and metabolic parameters in pigs and to look for parameters which reflect best the stress intensity. The snare restraint resulted in an increase in plasma level of epinephrine from 88 +/- 12 to 2264 +/- 470 pg/ml and in plasma level of norepinephrine from 206 +/- 14 to 7727 +/- 1969 pg/ml within a minute. In contrast, the cortisol level showed a delayed increase from 30.8 +/- 4.9 to 101.8 +/- 12.0 nmol/l. The inhibitory effect of catecholamines on insulin secretion resulted in a delayed increase of plasma level of insulin from 0.14 +/- 0.01 to 0.29 +/- 0.04 nmol/l. Moreover, there was a significant increase in haematocrit and in plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, free glycerol and ascorbic acid. A biphasic pattern in plasma level of potassium was observed. The present results suggest that besides the level of lactate the plasma concentration of catecholamines reflects best the individual degree of excitement and the time of physical strain.

Insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine and fenoterol were administered to hens br a continuous infusion for 30 minutes sia indwelling catheters after an overnight fast. A saline infusion served as control experiment. The infusion of glucagon brought about a significant rise in plasma level of glucose, lactate and glycerol and a significant decrease in plasma level of potassium. On the other hand, a significant drop in plasma level of glucose, potassium and inorganic phosphorus mas registrated during the insulin infusion. No evidence for an antilipolytic effect of insulin was obtained. The infusion of epinephrine and norepinephrine triggered a significant rise in plasma level of glucose, lactate and glycerol. However, the infusion of fenoterol brought about only a significant hyperglycaemic effect. The infusion of norepinephrine caused a short increase in plasma concentration of potassium during the first 5 minutes, followed by a sharp decrease. An infusion of epinephrine and fenoterol resulted in a significant drop in plasma level of potassium. Beyond it, the infusion of epinephine and fenoterol brought about a significant decrease in plasma level of inorganic phosphorus.

The concentration of epinephrine, norepinephrine and lactate were measured in blood collected from pigs at slaughter after electric stunning with 220 V and compared with pH values (pH(45)) and conductivity (LF(45)) in Longissimus dorsi muscle 45 minutes after slaughter. In group 1 [Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)] the concentration of norepinephrine was significant higher than in group 2 [Duroc x (Large White x Landrace]) (66.2 +/- 3.6 vs. 54.7 +/- 3.9 ng/ml). Also, the level of lactate was significant higher in group 1 than in group 2 (10.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 9.1 +/- 0.6 mmoles/1). However, no differences between the two groups were found in the concentration of epinephrine (46.5 +/- 2.5 vs. 46.8 +/- 1.4 ng(ml), in pH(45) (6.68 +/- 0.06 vs. 6.68 +/- 0.09) and in LF(45) values (3.20 +/- 0.06 vs. 3.21 +/- 0.10 mS/cm). A correlation between the levels of epinephrine or norepinephrine and pH(45) or LF(45) was not detected.

The halothane test was performed under different conditions in 10 halothane-sensitive growing pigs (Landrace, line 01). Haematological and metabolic changes in blood were monitored during the handling of the pigs before the test, during the exposure to halothane and thereafter. Already in connection with the catching and fixation of the pigs, the levels of haemoglobin in blood, and of glucose, lactate and potassium in plasma increased significantly. However, the concentration of glycerol was not raised before the occurrence of the malignant hyperthermia. While the level of potassium decreased already from the beginning of the halothane exposure until the development of symptoms, the values of haemoglobin, glucose and lactate continued to increased. The level of the free fatty acids did not show any changes during the experimental period. An infusion of phentolamine reduced the increase of haemoglobin and potassium and an infusion of propranolol reduced the increase of haemoglobin and glycerol significantly, without any effect on the result of the halothane test. By an anaesthesia, starting 30 minutes before the exposure to halothane, the development of the typical halothane reaction was obviated for at least 10 minutes. Observed metabolic changes during a simultaneous epinephrine administration were exclusively due to its adrenergic effects.

The halothane test was performed under different conditions in 10 halothane-sensitive growing pigs (Landrace, line 01). Haematological and metabolic changes in blood were monitored during the handling of the pigs before the test, during the exposure to halothane and thereafter. Already in connection with the catching and fixation of the pigs, the levels of haemoglobin in blood, and of glucose, lactate and potassium in plasma increased significantly. However, the concentration of glycerol was not raised before the occurrence of the malignant hyperthermia. While the level of potassium decreased already from the beginning of the halothane exposure until the development of symptoms, the values of haemoglobin, glucose and lactate continued to increase. The level of the free fatty acids did not show any changes during the experimental period. An infusion of phentolamine reduced the increase of haemoglobin and potassium and an infusion of propranolol reduced the increase of haemoglobin and glycerol significantly, without any effect on the result of the halothane test. By an anaesthesia, starting 30 minutes before the exposure to halothane, the development of the typical halothane reaction was obviated for at least 10 minutes. Observed metabolic changes during a simultaneous epinephrine administration were exclusively due to its adrenergic effects.