146 Evaluation of Immune Response in Piglets during Processing

• Published in: Journal of animal science 2018-03, Vol.96 (suppl_1), p.77-78
• Main Authors: Fuentes, M D, Jones, T N, Guay, K A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky027.146

Abstract Pork producers conduct husbandry techniques (processing) such as ear notching, teeth clipping, and tail docking on piglets at three days of age to absolve problems that may occur from litter interaction. There is limited information regarding immune response in piglets due to processing and handling; therefore the study objective was to evaluate immune response in piglets before and after processing. Within three farrowing groups (sow 1, sow 2, and sow 3) large white composite breed piglets were blocked by sow and gender, and then randomly selected to undergo processing and blood collection. The sample population consisted of nine males and seven females (n=16). Blood was collected from each piglet, at three days of age, prior to processing (0hr), and then post-processing at 12hr, 24hr and 48hr, with the last blood draw taken prior to male castration. Samples were analyzed using IDEXX Procyte Dx for white blood cells and neutrophils. Animals were the experimental unit, and dependent variables were analyzed using PROC MIXED with repeated measures. White blood cell and neutrophil concentrations were similar among all piglets with the highest concentration at 48hr. Neutrophils were higher in piglets selected from sow 1 when compared to piglets selected from sow 2 (P = 0.003) and sow 3 (P = 0.001). These differences may possibly be due to the sow’s influence on litter immunity, and other environmental conditions compromising their immune system. The consistent increase in blood parameters in piglets during processing, specifically the increase in neutrophil concentrations over time, may be a reliable indicator that the piglet immune response to processing is to increase these blood parameters in reaction to the stress induced by processing. Neutrophils provide an important immune defense to invading microorganisms, by accumulating at sites of inflammation or in areas of damaged tissue. The areas of damaged tissue could be caused by the husbandry techniques used in processing such as ear notching and tail docking, techniques known to cause slight tissue damage among the ears and tail, respectively. The piglet immune defense may be to increase the level of neutrophils in response to this damaged tissue. Additionally, stress from litter separation and handling may stimulate cortisol release, resulting in a change in neutrophils and other blood parameters that were measured in this study. An improved understanding of piglet physiological responses during