The Evolution of the Hemogram and Certain Biochemical Parameters from Blood and Milk of Sows During the first Week Post-Partum

Abstract

Through hematological, biochemical and milk cell population investigations performed on blood and milk samples the developments in health and lactation in a group of 15 sows with piglets was monitored. According to the obtained results the investigated physiological parameters were characterized by wide variations, with the mean falling within the reference values for onset of lactation in sow and minor irregularities, with no pathological connotation. Erythrocyte indices showed significant oscillations, but with normal mean values for hematocrit (35.74%), associated with slight decreases in mean concentration of hemoglobin (8.20 g/dl), total number of red blood cells (5.78 T/l) and mean erythrocyte constants maintaining within the physiological limits. The evolution of the leukocyte subpopulation showed normal values for total number of leukocytes (6.9 to 14.9 G/l), except for two cases with leukocytosis, while revealing also an individual tendency towards neutrophilia (40-41%), lymphocytosis (50-51 %) and eosinophilia (16%) and a general tendency towards monocitosis (16-27%). Protein and energy index profile revealed normal proteins value (7.9 g/dl), albumins (5.74 g/dl) and globulins (1.97 g/dl). Glicemia showed a decreasing trends around a mean value of 81 9 mg/dl. GGT levels (31 to 49.5 IU) varied between physiological limits and alkaline phosphatase increased slightly around a mean of 215.2 IU. Blood ion levels showed normal values for magnesium (1.63 mg/dl), calcium (from 9.5 to 11.0 mg/dl) and phosphorus (6.78 to 9.14 mg/dl) for five sows, other two showing hypercalcemia (37.2 to 39.2 mg/dl) associated with an increased phosphorus level (23.21 to 23.83 mg/dl). Physico-chemical examination of milk has reported values normal for the opening period of sow lactation regarding protein content (7.97%) and to a lesser degree regarding solids (13.67%) and fat (8.18 %), the density having a value of 1.043 and a freezing point of 0.28 °C. The milk cell population was characterized by a near majority proportion of macrophages (40.87%), with lymphocytes (31.0%) and PMN leukocytes (15.8%) an important ratio falling to epithelial cells (12.33%).