Humoral and cellular immune responses of piglets after castration at different ages

Lessard, Martin; Taylor, Allison; Braithwaite, L.; Weary, Daniel M.

doi:10.4141/a02-011

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…This age effect and a tendency for a treatment effect indicated that handling piglets 3 d after birth had a greater impact on serum IgG concentration as measured on d 5 after birth. It is possible that stress caused by processing procedures contributed to decreasing IgG in piglet blood at an age when colostrum-derived IgG is naturally decreasing (Martin et al, 2005) and the immune system of the piglets is not sufficiently developed to respond to antigenic stimulations (Lessard et al, 2002). Our results corroborate those previously reported in tilapia showing decreased plasma immuno-globulins (IgM) 1 to 5 d after a stressor (Chen et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Effect of age on the behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to tail docking and ear notching1

Torrey

Devillers

Lessard

et al. 2009

Journal of Animal Science

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Neonatal piglets are often subject to potentially painful processing procedures such as tail docking and ear notching during the first few days after birth. However, these procedures may influence the development of suckling behavior and passive transfer of immunoglobulins, especially if done within the first day postpartum. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of processing piglets during the first 24 h versus at 3 d of age on suckling and pain-related behavior, the passive transfer of immunoglobulins, and growth. Six piglets per litter from 20 litters (n = 120 piglets) were used in a 3 x 2 complete block design. Piglets were weighed at birth and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (balanced by birth weight): control (unmanipulated), sham processed (manually manipulated), and processed (tail docked and ear notched) at 1 of 2 ages (1 or 3 d of age). Vocalizations were recorded during the procedures, and piglets were observed after the procedures for pain-related behavior. Suckling behavior was observed for 6 h on each of d 1 to 4. Colostrum samples were collected after the birth of all piglets (before first suck), and blood samples were collected on d 5 to examine concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) and IGF-I. Body weights were measured at birth and on d 5 and 14. During the procedures, processed piglets, regardless of age, vocalized at a greater frequency (P < 0.001) and produced more high frequency calls (P = 0.016) than sham-processed piglets. All piglets on d 1 produced more high frequency calls than all piglets on d 3 (P = 0.047). Immediately after the procedures, sham-processed and processed piglets spent less time lying and more time standing than control piglets (P < 0.001), whereas processed piglets jammed their tail between their legs more than sham-processed or control piglets (P < 0.001). Lying, standing and tail posture were not influenced by age, nor were there age by treatment interactions. Piglets on d 1 trembled more than piglets on d 3 (P < 0.001), and this tended to be exacerbated by processing (P = 0.076). There was no effect of treatment or age of treatment on suckling behavior. Processed piglets had decreased IgG serum concentrations compared with sham-processed and control piglets (P = 0.029), although there was no interaction between treatment and age of treatment (P = 0.67). Whereas tail docking and ear notching do appear to result in short-term pain and modulated immune status, processing on d 1 appears neither better nor worse than processing on d 3.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Effect of age on the behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to tail docking and ear notching1

Torrey

Devillers

Lessard

et al. 2009

Journal of Animal Science

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“…Because piglet castration may affect the immune system (Lessard et al, 2002) as well as behavior and stimulate activity of the adrenal axis (for review, see Prunier et al, 2006), the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of castration on blood plasma concentrations of neopterin and biopterin in piglets where neopterin and biopterin were selected as biosensors of immune system activation. Neopterin and biopterin plasma concentrations were compared with cortisol as a marker of neuroendocrine activity, as well as to results of leukocyte profiles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neopterin and biopterin as biomarkers of immune system activation associated with castration in piglets1

Maršálek

Svoboda

Smutná

et al. 2011

Journal of Animal Science

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Recent reports have shown that stressful situations may affect the production of unconjugated pterins (neopterin and biopterin). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of castration on neopterin and biopterin plasma concentrations in piglets, using 2 groups of 12 piglets allocated to castrated and uncastrated (control) groups. Pterin concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Blood samples were also analzyed for leukocyte profiles and plasma cortisol concentrations. A time × treatment interaction (P < 0.05) was detected for neopterin concentrations, such that neopterin was greater (P < 0.01) at 1 h after surgery in castrated piglets compared with precastration concentrations, and neopterin was greater (P = 0.05) in castrated than in control piglets at 1 h. Castration had no effect on biopterin concentration (P > 0.1). Time effects (P < 0.05) for neutrophil and lymphocyte concentrations and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were found. A time × treatment interaction (P < 0.01) was detected for plasma cortisol concentrations, such that cortisol was greater (P < 0.01) at 1 and 24 h after surgery in castrated piglets compared with precastration concentrations and was greater (P < 0.01) in castrated than in control piglets at 1 and 24 h. This study showed that castration activated the immune system of piglets as demonstrated by an increase in plasma neopterin concentrations.

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“…Il a été montré chez le porc que la réponse humorale à l'injection d'un antigène est réduite lorsque la première injection a lieu le jour de la castration (LESSARD et al, 2002). Des études complémentaires sont néces-saires pour préciser les conséquences de la castration sur le fonctionnement du système immunitaire (inflammation, immunosuppression).…”

Section: Conclusion Et Perspectivesunclassified

Douleurs et pratiques d'élevage, des fondements théoriques aux applications expérimentales : exemples d'actions du réseau AGRI bien-être animal

Servière¹,

Prunier²,

Duvaux-Ponter³

2005

bavf

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Humoral and cellular immune responses of piglets after castration at different ages

Cited by 18 publications

References 21 publications

Effect of age on the behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to tail docking and ear notching1

Effect of age on the behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to tail docking and ear notching1

Neopterin and biopterin as biomarkers of immune system activation associated with castration in piglets1

Douleurs et pratiques d'élevage, des fondements théoriques aux applications expérimentales : exemples d'actions du réseau AGRI bien-être animal

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