Effect of early weaning on piglet´s humoral and cellular immunity in an indoor pig farm

GARCÍA G.; RODRIGUEZ N.; ASHWORTH G.; BERARDO D.; GRECO C.

Viña del Mar

Congreso; IX Congreso latinoamericano de inmunología; 2009

Weaning and production system may influence the acquisition of immunological competence. The aim was to evaluate the effects of weaning at 14 day of age, shortening in a week weaning age, on the immune response in the post-weaning. Piglets hybrids Large White x Landrace, reared in a indoor production system, coming from vaccinated (Group V) and non vaccinated mothers (group NV), five per litter, were used. Blood samples were taken before and after weaning (12 and 21 days of age). To asses humoral response, total serum IgG was measured. To asses cellular response: total white blood cells (WBC), percentage of lymphocytes, and Con-A proliferation Index, were determined. An increase of WBC at post-weaning (P