The effect of colostrum feeding on the ontogeny of serum cytokines and immune cells in suckling piglets fed sow/gilt colostrum and milk replacer was studied. After farrowing, the born piglets were randomized into six groups: GG and SS: piglets were kept with their dam; GS: piglets were changed from gilts to sow; SG: piglets were changed from sow to gilt; GMR and SMR: piglets from gilt or sow were isolated from the dams and were bottle-fed commercial formula milk replacer. The piglets remained in the groups during the first 24 hours of life and were later returned to their respective mothers. Overall, piglets suckling sow (SS and GS) had a higher concentration of serum immunoglobulins at 24 hours, and also was associated with a rise in plasma cytokines concentration and also the greater ability of B and T cells from lymphatic organs and blood mononuclear cells to respond to mitogens. We suggest a bias towards Th1-, Th2-, Th17-cell polarizing and cytokines in the suckling period, which may be influenced by maternal immunological factors in colostrum, like parity of dam. All findings suggest a possible role of sow parity that may contribute to exerting a modulating action on immune response development.

The effects on the ontogeny of serum cytokines and immune cells caused by feeding suckling piglets with sow/gilt colostrum and milk replacer was assessed in the present study. After farrowing, the piglets born were randomized into six groups: GG and SS (n = 10/group): piglets were kept with their dam; GS (n = 10): piglets were changed from gilts to sows; SG (n = 10): piglets were changed from sows to gilts; GMR (n = 6) and SMR (n = 8): piglets from either gilts or sows were isolated from the dams and were bottle-fed ad libitum with commercial formula milk replacer. The piglets remained in the groups during the first 24 h of life and were later returned to their respective mothers. Serum immunoglobulin concentration and lymphocyte proliferation from the blood, spleen, thymus, and mesenteric lymph node of the piglets were assessed at 24 h and at 28 days of age. Serum cytokine concentrations were measured through a cytokine multiplex assay at 24 h. Overall, piglets suckling on sows (SS and GS) had a higher concentration of serum immunoglobulin at 24 h, which was also associated with a rise in plasma cytokine concentration and greater ability of B and T cells from lymphatic organs and blood mononuclear cells to respond to mitogens. We suggest a bias towards Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-cell polarizing and cytokines during the suckling period, which may be influenced by maternal immunological factors in the colostrum, such as dam parity. All findings suggest sow parity having a possible role, which may contribute to exerting a modulating action on immune response development.

O processo de oxidação é uma das principais reações de deterioração de alimentos. A oxidação tem grande influência no valor nutricional e na qualidade de produtos que são utilizados na nutrição animal, principalmente quando se fala em óleos utilizados na ração. A utilização de lipídeos tem o objetivo de possibilitar melhor desempenho e saúde ao animal, fornecendo-lhe mais energia. Esta revisão tem por objetivo abordar, de maneira geral, a importância dos lipídeos, como ocorre sua oxidação, o uso de antioxidantes e as implicações dos lipídeos para a nutrição e saúde de animais de produção. Os lipídeos são substâncias que possuem alto valor nutritivo e energético. Porém, quando a questão é nutrição, o uso de lipídeos oxidados altera as propriedades organolépticas da ração, como presença de odor, sabor e alteração da viscosidade do óleo, sendo característico o ranço. Ademais, pode levar ao desenvolvimento de alterações fisiológicas indesejadas e prejuízos nutricionais, além de formar substâncias tóxicas que possuem grande influência na ocorrência de doenças.