Artificial rearing of piglets: the administration of two sources of immunoglobulins after birth

Abstract

ABSTRACTSixty Landrace × Large White piglets were removed from their mothers at birth and allocated to one of five treatments. Treatment A piglets were controls and did not receive any form of passive immunity after birth. Treatment B piglets were given by intraperitoneal injection 20 ml equine serum derived from horses previously hyperimmunized against porcine pathogens. Treatment C piglets received the same equine serum given orally. Treatment D piglets were given 20 ml pooled pig plasma by intraperitoneal injection. Treatment E piglets received the same pig plasma given orally. All piglets were reared to 2 weeks of age in an artificial-rearing device and were automatically fed a liquid diet every hour. Overall survival to 2 weeks of age was 90% (54/60) but treatment did not affect survival. The overall survival after 6 weeks of age was 47% (22/47) deaths being due to a variety of systemic disorders. Overall daily gain to 2 weeks of age was 143 g/day and the food/gain ratio was 0·88. Treatment did not affect performance. The concentrations of immunoglobulin class G (IgG) in the blood were measured at 42, 49 and 56 days of age. There were no differences between the treatment groups in IgG concentrations.