The Influence of Sow Colostrum Trypsin Inhibitor on the Immunoglobulin Absorption in Newborn Piglets

Abstract

The influence of sow colostrum trypsin inhibitor (SCTI) on the immunoglobulin absorption from the gut of 16 newborn colostrum-deprived piglets was investigated in a paired feeding experiment. Three times at 1 h intervals the piglets were fed an experimental diet consisting of sow milk, purified swine serum immunoglobulins containing agglutinins against Bordetella bronchiseptica, and purified SGTI (diet I) or saline (diet II). The serum concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA, and antibodies for B. bronchiseptica were measured by single radial immunodiffusion and by a tube agglutination procedure and used to evaluate the immunoglobulin absorption. Four and 6 h after the first experimental meal, blood samples from the piglets given SGTI in their diet had a generally higher level of IgG, IgA and aggutinins against B. bronchiseptica than blood samples from the piglets d no SGTI. No real differences were found in the IgM levels. Although the piglets fed no SGTI all showed a considerable immunoglobulin absorption, the SCTI was found to have a statistically significant positive influence on the IgG and IgA absorption.