Glen W. Almond, DVM, MSc, PhD

Professor, Pig Health & Production

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 1980, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada

MSc in Reproductive Physiology, 1983, Ontario Veterinary College

PhD in Reproductive Physiology,1988, North Carolina State University

Phone: 919.513.6370
Fax: 919.513.6383
Email: glen_almond@ncsu.edu

Mission Statement

Improve pig health and production through research, education and service.

Research Areas

Program: Our research program, with a strong commitment to graduate students, maintains a balance between basic science and applied or clinical investigations.

Basic research: Understanding the control of corpus luteum (CL) function in the pig.

After luteinization, the porcine CL remains in a relative autonomous state until luteolysis. Some of our previous studies examined the physiological roles of tumor necrosis factor-a and prostaglandin-E prior to and after the initiation of luteolysis. Our current research is examining the significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in porcine CL. We utilize RT-PCR and additional genomic methodologies to characterize the expression of the factors and their receptors. We anticipate that future studies will determine the respective signal transduction pathways and re-visit the influence of the cytokines and the immune system on CL function.
Our clinical research depends on collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Animal Science and on cooperation by pork producers and allied industries.

Major objectives of the clinical studies:

• Evaluate water delivery systems in commercial pig farms, with an emphasis on minimizing wastewater and maintaining pig health and performance.
• Characterize the interactions between disease, nutrition and growth in grow/finish pigs.
• Examine the efficacy of needle-less injection systems for pigs. The research is designed to reduce the routine use of hypodermic needles in pigs.

Selected Publications

Basic Research

Feng SM, Almond GW: PGE receptor characteristics on porcine luteal cells during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Prost & other Lipid Med 57(1): 13-22, 1999.

Feng S-M, Almond GW: Identification and distribution of prostaglandin E receptors on porcine luteal cells. Biol Reprod 54:1366-1374, 1996.

Richards RG, Almond GW: Identification and distribution of tumor necrosis factor-a receptors in pig corpora lutea. Biol Reprod 51:1285-1291, 1994.

Richards RG, Almond GW: Tumor necrosis factor-a differentially alters progesterone and prostaglandin-F2a production by porcine luteal cells. J Endocrinology 143:75-83. 1994.

Clinical Studies

Hevener W, Routh PA, Almond GW: Effects of immune challenge on concentrations of serum insulin-like growth factor-I and growth performance in pigs. Can Vet J 40: 782-786, 1999.

Hevener W, Almond GW, Armstrong JD, Richards RG: Effects of acute endotoxemia on serum somatotropin and insulin-like growth factor I concentrations in prepubertal gilts. Am J Vet Res 58:1010-1013, 1997.

Almond GW, Stevens JB: Urinalysis techniques for swine practitioners. Compend Cont Ed Pract Vet 17:121-129, 1995.

Almond GW, Richards RG: Evaluating porcine reproductive failure by use of slaughter checks. Compend Contin Ed Pract Vet 14:542-547, 1992.