IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF PIGS REGROUPED AT OR NEAR WEANING

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (9) , 1934-1937
Abstract
Using 64 pigs, 2 experiments (32 pigs each) were conducted to evaluate the effects of regrouping nonlittermate pigs at weaning or 2 weeks after weaning on mitogen induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, intradermal reactions to phytohemagglutin, and primary antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes. Plasma cortisol concentrations were determined in all pigs and behavior of regrouped pigs was monitored. Compared with control values, plasma cortisol concentrations were higher in nonlittermate pigs regrouped at weaning (P < 0.001) or 2 weeks after weaning (P < 0.01). However, regrouping pigs at weaning or 2 weeks after weaning did not influence lymphocyte blastogenesis, phytohemagglutinin skin-test responses, or antibody titers to sheep erythrocytes. Plasma cortisol concentrations were not related to agonistic behavior in regrouped blastogenic or phytohemagglutinin skin-test responses; however, higher plasma cortisol concentrations were related (P < 0.05) to lower sheep erythrocyte antibody titers. These data indicate that regrouping nonlittermate pigs at weaning or 2 weeks after weaning is an acute stressor that does not detrimentally affect mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, intradermal reactions to phytohemagglutinin, or primary antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes.

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