Abstract
The effect of pregnancy and lactation on the cell-mediated immune response of first litter gilts was assessed using the response of circulating lymphocytes to in vitro mitogen stimulation and the cytotoxic activity of the circulating natural killer (NK) cells. Groups of gilts were sampled during the first, second and third trimester of gestation, weekly during lactation, at weaning and estrus following weaning of the piglets. No significant differences were found in the response of the cells from any of the groups to phytohemagglutinin A or concanavalin A stimulation. The natural killer cell activity, measured as cytotoxicity, decreased during gestation reaching a low point during the second and third week of lactation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
