THE STATE OF INNATE IMMUNITY IN NORMOTROPHIC PIGLETS IN THE EARLY POSTNATAL PERIOD

Abstract

The article presents the dynamics of changes in the performance of hematological, biochemical, humoral and cellular components of nonspecific immunity in normotrophic piglets from its birth to weaning from sows. The age-related changes in the performance in all the components of nonspecific immunity in piglets, connected with the adaptation of the organism to the new existence conditions and the activation of the duties of their organs and systems, have been established. In the hematological component, the changes were manifested by a higher content of white blood cells and lymphocytes in piglets, starting from the daily age and in the following terms of cultivation, relative to such before intake of colostrum. For the biochemical state of piglets before intake of colostrum, the most definitive were low total protein, but high albuminous and high nitrogen oxide, essential to the adaptation of animals to new existence conditions, Hypoglobulinemia. In piglets, starting from the daily age, the total protein, globulins, and especially gamma globulins, promoting the humoral defense, are increased, and the albuminous is decreased. The humoral performance of non-specific defense for piglets before colostrum intake is characterized by a low activity of the complement system, which increases up to 14 days-age, followed by its thereafter decrease. Serum bactericidal activity is decreased on the 22nd, and lysozyme activity - on the 26th day of age. From the daily age and in the days following, neutrophil phagocytic activity; stimulated NBT test, and phagocyte reserve number exceeded like that before intake of colostrum. Absorbtivity of neutrophils and spontaneous NBT test increased only in daily age piglets. The lowest level of nonspecific immune defense in piglets during the last week of the suckling period, manifested by a decrease of the bactericidal activity, of lysozyme activity, and of complementary activity of blood serum, of monocytes, and of gamma-globulins, is due to a decrease in sow productivity.