For analysis of offspring haematology, body weight was used as a covariate in the statistical model. in blood and tissues of offspring at birth. Cry1Ab protein presence was assessed in sows’ blood during gestation and lactation and in tissues of offspring at birth. Blood monocyte count and percentage were higher (pests, as it expresses the Cry1Ab protein [5]. This protein is produced in all herb tissues as a result of introduction of the bacterial transgene into the maize genome [6]. While the bacterial Cry1Ab protein has been extensively used as an organic insecticide [7], its expression in transgenic maize THZ1 could potentially alter its structure which may render it allergenic or otherwise harmful upon ingestion [8]. Worries are expressed by consumers regarding the safety of transgenic compounds following long-term consumption [9], [10]. As pregnancy-related hormonal changes may result in Rabbit Polyclonal to ARG2 immunosuppression [11], [12], the immune system of pregnant females may respond differently to dietary antigens. Maize is a major component of animal feed and the safety of feeding GM maize to breeding livestock is also of paramount importance. Having been marketed in the US since 1996 and produced in market penetration since then [1] with no evidence to suggest harmful effects, Bt MON810 maize has a relatively long history of safe use [13]. Furthermore, numerous controlled studies have investigated the effects of dietary Bt maize in different animal species [14]. However, while several studies have investigated effects over multiple generations in rodents and ruminants [15], multi-generational studies in THZ1 pigs are notably lacking from the literature. It is well known that this digestive physiology of pigs is very similar to that of humans [16]C[18]. Therefore, studies in pigs may provide some insight into the expected effects of trans-generational Bt maize consumption in humans, although the limitations of any animal model must always be taken into account. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of feeding Bt MON810 maize to nulliparous sows during pregnancy and lactation on maternal and offspring immune function and to assess the presence of transgenic material in the blood of sows as well as in the blood and tissues of offspring at birth. Methods Ethical approval The pig study complied with European Union Council Directives 91/630/EEC (outlines minimum standards for the protection of pigs) and 98/58/EC (concerns the protection of animals kept for farming purposes) and was approved by, and a license obtained from, the Irish Department of Health THZ1 and Children (license number B100/4147). Ethical approval was obtained from Teagasc and Waterford Institute of Technology ethics committees. Maize and diets Seeds derived from GM Bt MON810 and non-GM parent line control maize (PR34N44 and PR34N43, respectively; Pioneer Hi-Bred, Sevilla, Spain) were grown simultaneously side by side in 2007 in Valtierra, Navarra, Spain by impartial tillage farmers. The Bt and non-Bt control maize were purchased by the authors from the tillage farmers for use in this animal study. Diets were manufactured as previously described by Walsh et al. [19]. All diets were formulated to meet or exceed the National Research Council requirements for pigs of given weights [20]. The Bt and non-Bt control maize, as well as the whole diets, were sampled in accordance with THZ1 international guidelines [21] and tested for chemical, carbohydrate and amino acid composition as well as for presence of pesticide contaminants, the transgene, and mycotoxins, as previously described by Walsh et al. [19]. Animals and experimental design Twenty four sows (Large White Landrace) were purchased from Hermitage AI (Kilkenny, Ireland) as weanling pigs (28 days aged) and raised to 165 kg on diets free of GM ingredients. On THZ1 the day of insemination, sows were blocked by body weight and insemination date and randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: 1) non-Bt control parent line maize diet (Pioneer PR34N43) or 2) Bt maize diet (Pioneer PR34N44 event MON810). Sows were fed experimental diets from insemination throughout gestation and lactation until weaning at 28 days post-farrowing (143 days in total). Diets used in this animal study are presented in Table 1. Table 1 Composition of diets fed to sows during gestation and lactation (fresh weight basis, %). access to water from one drinker per pen (Arato, K?ln, Germany). Supplementary feed was not offered to suckling piglets. A vaccine to prevent neonatal enterotoxicosis in piglets (Porcoli Diluvac Forte?; Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health) was administered to all sows on days 74 and 99 of gestation. Zerofen? (4% powder, Chanelle Animal Health Limited, Liverpool, UK).