Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the results of active non-specific immuno-modulation in form of feeding food additive based on beta-glucan to pregnant sows and consecutive specific immuno-modulation by vaccination of their sucklings. Experimental sows were fed feedstuff with preparation on basis of beta-glucan at a 5% concentration from day 14 before parturition until the weaning of piglets; control sows were fed standard feedstuff only. Sucklings were vaccinated with a single dose of 2 ml of oral vaccine Enterisol® Ileitis one week before weaning. Collection of biological material was done 3 × in sows and 5 × in sucklings. Post-vaccination examination of blood serum for antibodies against L. intracellularis in sucklings in experimental and control groups was negative, probably due to insufficiently long period of rejection of antibiotics-medicated feedstuff and by chlorinated water. With the exception of immunological profile, no essential changes were recorded in the dynamics of other indices of examined profiles in groups of sows in relation to immune-modulation. In groups of sucklings from sows fed beta-glucan supplemented feedstuff significant changes were determined for various indices compared with sucklings from sows fed standard foodstuff. This is the first similar study in pig herds in Slovakia.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to compare the results of active non-specific immuno-modulation in form of feeding food additive based on beta-glucan to pregnant sows and consecutive specific immuno-modulation by vaccination of their sucklings
Detectable trans-colostral antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis in 100% of positive sows in sampling 0 were mostly detected in groups of piglets from sows fed standard foodstuff (C = 100% positive, D = 67% positive) and persisted even in sampling 1 at lower percentage (C = 66% positive or D = 44% doubtful), whereas in the experimental groups positivity was proved only in group B in sampling 0 (B = 22% positive and A = 22% doubtful)
Except for the immunology profile, no significant changes were recorded in the dynamics of other indices of the examined profiles in the groups of sows in relation to immunemodulation, whereas in the experimental groups of sucklings (A, B) significant changes were recorded for various indices compared to control sucklings (C, D)
Summary
The aim of this study was to compare the results of active non-specific immuno-modulation in form of feeding food additive based on beta-glucan to pregnant sows and consecutive specific immuno-modulation by vaccination of their sucklings. In groups of sucklings from sows fed beta-glucan supplemented feedstuff significant changes were determined for various indices compared with sucklings from sows fed standard foodstuff This is the first similar study in pig herds in Slovakia. The causal agent of the disease is compulsory intra-cellular bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis belonging to the Desulfovibrionaceae family which propagates in the cells of intestinal epithelium It causes significant economic losses by low conversion of feedstuff and by high costs for drugs; there are losses caused by fallen stock (Podmanický et al 1999). It was expected that after immune-modulation of sows and high trans-colostral transfer of immunoglobulines, the piglets would produce higher amounts of specific antibodies after oral vaccination with Enterisol® Ileitis vaccine against Lawsonia intracellularis. Jana Soročinová Clinic for Swine University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
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