A comparative evaluation of methods for estimating the colostrum quality in sows

Abstract

Colostrum is the main source of immunoglobulins (Ig) for neonate piglets and plays a crucial role within the health and growth of the piglet. Currently in pig farming, there are still no widespread practical methods for measuring the Ig concentration in colostrum at herd level. We evaluated sows’ colostrum IgG concentration using an optical and a digital Brix refractometer and their performance was correlated to an IgG ELISA test, and flow cytometry. Colostrum concentrations of IgG and IgA averaged 74.05 ± 21.37mg/mL and 20.2 ± 5.32mg/mL respectively. The mean value of the Brix percentages for optical refractometer was 26.32%, and for digital was 28.32%. The Brix refractometer measurements of colostrum samples presented high correlation for IgG content analyzed by ELISA (Optical = 0.74, Digital = 0.87; P <0.001). Considering the immunophenotyping, the values for IgG and IgA lymphoblasts indicated a highly significant relationship to ELISA (IgG=0.77, IgA=0.84; P<0.001). The Brix refractometer can be considered a useful tool to be included in a colostrum monitoring program to improve potentially neonatal health. In addition, we demonstrated that flow cytometry can be an important tool to analyze and characterize the immunological potential of sow colostrum.

On the influence of the source of porcine colostrum in the development of early immune ontogeny in piglets

“…Colostrum was manually collected from all functional teats, after the birth of the first piglet (D0) and before suckling. To minimize the contamination of colostrum and milk, the sows’ teats were previously scrubbed with iodine alcohol, handled wearing disposable latex gloves and samples were stored in sterile 50 mL conical tubes (TPP; Switzerland) and kept refrigerated 73 . Colostrum and samples were centrifuged for 20 min (1300xg at room temperature), and the upper fat layer was discarded.…”