Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine how selected hematological and immunological parameters are affected when growing pigs are transferred from the rearing unit to the finishing house. Blood was collected from 64 healthy growing pigs one week before and one week after they were transferred to the finishing house. The following tests were performed: complete blood count with machine differential, immunoglobulin levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) level and cortisol level. Pigs were divided into two groups. Group A contained those pigs with a normal white blood cell (WBC) count, and Group B those with an elevated WBC count. Throughout the experiment, body weight and indoor microclimate conditions were also monitored. After transfer, the neutrophil count increased, while the lymphocyte count decreased. Hematocrit (HCT0, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) also decreased. CRP level and cortisol level increased. Red blood cell (RBC) count was higher and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was lower in Group B. CPR level and immunoglobulin G (IgG) level were also higher. On the other hand, average daily gain (ADG) was higher in Group A. Although the presence of subclinical infections cannot be ruled out, the changes observed were probably caused by other stressogenic factors such as transport, adaptation to a new maintenance system, and worse sanitary conditions. Those with elevated WBC counts before transport were most susceptible to adaptive stress. Key words: Pig, transfer, immunity, C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, immunoglobulin, stress.
Highlights
Recent changes in animal turnover on pig farms, have produced conditions that promote the growth of pathogenic microorganisms where pigs are kept, as well as select for more virulent mutant microbial strains (Kołacz et al, 2009)
HCT, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and HGB decreased after transfer
Volatile organic compounds and dust were much higher in the finishing house than in the rearing facility, which had an adverse effect on the health of the pigs
Summary
Recent changes in animal turnover on pig farms (a new system of feeding and breeding conditions, management and especially genetic progress), have produced conditions that promote the growth of pathogenic microorganisms where pigs are kept, as well as select for more virulent mutant microbial strains (Kołacz et al, 2009). In addition to the peri-weaning period, transfer to the finishing house is of key importance. At this time, the pigs are subjected to intense stress induced by adaptation to the new feeding strategy and management conditions, as well as by the establishment and nature of the dominance hierarchy in the new herd. Sub-optimal management practices add to the stress the animals experience when adapting to a new location. This stress can reduce the integrity of the immune response, which increases the incidence of microbial diseases in the herd (Ekkel et al, 1996)
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