PSVI-38 Impact of PRRSV infection during gestation on the protein levels in the blood of piglets

Abstract

Abstract Costs and productivity losses associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) outbreaks impact the swine industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal immune activation (MIA) from a PRRSV challenge during gestation on the piglet serum concentrations of albumin and globulin, indicators of inflammation or organ damage. Eighteen pregnant Camborough gilts were inoculated with either PRRSV or saline on gestational day 76. After farrowing 106 piglets remained with the gilts until postnatal day (PD) 21. One group of piglets was weaned and group-housed while another group remained with the gilts until PD22. At PD 60, a group of weaned piglets was fasted for one day while the rest was fed to meet nutritional requirements. Serum concentrations of globulin and albumin were measured on PD 22 and 61 and were analyzed using a linear mixed model including the fixed effects of gilt challenge, piglet treatment and sex and the random effect of gilt. On PD 22, albumin was higher in weaned relative to suckled piglets from saline-treated gilts (P < 0.0305). Globulin was higher in weaned relative to suckled piglets (P < 0.0014) and in piglets from PRRSV-treated relative to saline-treated gilts (P < 0.0201). The albumin/globulin ratio was higher in weaned piglets from saline relative to PRRSV-treated gilts (P < 0.0367). On PD 61, albumin was higher in fasted relative to fed piglets (P < 0.0072). Globulin was higher in males relative to females from PRRSV-treated gilts (P < 0.0326), and the albumin/globulin ratio was higher in fasted relative to fed piglets (P < 0.0043). Our results indicate a positive correlation between serum protein concentrations and MIA, weaning or fasting stress that may be indicative of inflammation, organ dysfunction or nutritional imbalance. This study is supported by USDA NIFA AFRI, grant number 2018-67015-27413.