Effect of breast feeding time on physiological, immunological andmicrobial parameters of weaned piglets in an intensive breeding farm

GARCÍA G; DOGI C; ASHWORTH G; BERARDO D; GODOY G.; CAVAGLIERI L.; DE MORENO DE LEBLANC A.; GRECO C.

VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016 vol. 176 p. 44 - 49

0165-2427

The aim of this work was to study the long-lasting consequences of different weaning age on physiological,immunological and microbiological parameters of weaned piglets. Piglets were weaned at 14 days (14W)or 21 days (21W). Blood samples were taken for IgG and cortisol determination on preweaning day andat 4; 20 and 40 post-weaning days. Three animals of each group were sacrificed. Small intestines formorphometric studies and secretory-IgA determination in fluid were taken. The cecum was obtained forenterobacteria, lactobacilli and total anaerobes enumeration. A significant decrease in piglet?s plasmaIgG concentrations was observed immediately after weaning and no differences were found between14W and 21W. An increase in intestinal S-IgA was observed according to piglet?s age. This increase wassignificantly higher in piglets 14W compared to piglets 21W. Animals from 14W group showed a decreasein villus length and in the number of goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Other parameterswere not affected by the weaning age. A short-term increase in cortisol was observed after weaning inboth experimental groups. Enterobacteria decreased significantly after weaning in both groups, reachingvalues of weaning after 40 days. Lactobacilli counts decreased in both groups after weaning; however theircounts were always higher than those obtained for enterobacteria. No differences were observed between14W and 21W with regards to counts of anaerobes. The shortening of breast feeding time would favor anearly synthesis of intestinal S-IgA after weaning. The changes observed in the microbiota could decreasepostweaning enteric infections. However, early weaning induced negative effects on the cells of gutinnate immunity and villi atrophy. This work provides knowledge about advantages and disadvantages atdifferent weaning and long-lasting consequences on pig health. It is critical that swine producers becomeaware of the biological impacts of weaning age, so as to be able to decide the appropriate managementstrategies according to their facilities and rearing environment.