Antibody response and serum protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in pigs from sows fed different protein sequences during gestation and lactation.

Abstract

Antibody response and serum protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in pigs from sows fed various crude protein sequences during gestation and lactation were studied over three consecutive parities at two locations. Each sow was placed on one of the following dietary crude protein sequences during gestation/lactation: (1) 14%/14%, (2) 12%/16% or (3) 9%/18%. Pig weights were recorded and blood samples taken at 1, 28, 42 and 49 days of age. Generally, body weight gain did not differ between pigs from sows fed different protein sequences. Sow protein sequence had no apparent influence on the pigs' ability to respond to a Salmonella H antigen (1.8 x 10(10) organisms/ml) intraperitoneally injected at 28 days of age when titers were determined 14 and 21 days later. Serum protein concentrations of progeny at 1, 28 and 49 days of age were not influenced by sow protein sequence, although pigs from sows given higher protein levels during lactation tended to have higher (P less than .10) concentrations at weaning (28 days). Serum IgG, IgA and IgM concentrations were not different for pigs from sows on different protein sequences. However, during the first parity at one of the locations, serum IgG and IgA concentrations were elevated (P less than .01) in pigs in all groups, possibly because of transmissible gastroenteritis which interfered with the pig antibody response. Sow protein sequence had no effect on antibody response or serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and pigs from first-litter gilts had a reduced ability to respond to a Salmonella H antigen.