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THE KANGAROO ISLAND STRAIN OF PIG IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Author(s) -
McIntosh G. H.,
Pointon A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1981.tb00505.x
Subject(s) - strain (injury) , creatinine , zoology , white blood cell , biology , white (mutation) , veterinary medicine , urea , physiology , anatomy , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , biochemistry , gene
SUMMARY The feral pig from Kangaroo Island, South Australia, has descended from British breeds released onto the Island by early explorers approximately 180 years ago. It has developed into a smaller pig than the modern commercial equivalent, with distinctive and reproducible physical characteristics and a physiology which appears to bestow on it some advantages in terms of fitness and vigour. It has adapted easily to laboratory and intensive piggery conditions where it has reproduced satisfactorily. It has a higher erythrocyte count and PCV than the equivalent Large White and a lower white blood cell count. Plasma Na, K and glucose were significantly higher and HCO 3 urea and creatinine lower in the Kangaroo Island strain. It represents a useful strain of pig for biomedical research, approaching in size the miniature pigs used overseas. A useful approach to routine bleeding of pigs is described.