Hematological, Blood Biochemical, and Cytological Bronchoalveolar Lavage Studies in Prepubertal Gilts after Endotoxin Inhalation and Ingestion

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Abstract
The effect of oral intake of endotoxin (ET) combined with inhalation of ET‐contaminated feed‐dust was studied in 6 prepubertal gilts. The animals were given 100 mg of ET each in their ordinary feed ration and meanwhile stayed for 4 h in a continuous flow exposure chamber where the endotoxin concentration was approximately 9 μg/m3. Blood samples were collected during the exposure and for 8 h afterwards. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 24–26 h after the exposure. Six additional animals received ordinary feed and were exposed to feed‐dust without added ET. Blood samples were analysed for total white blood cell count (B‐WBC) and differential count: polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN); total red blood cell count (B‐RBC); platelets (B‐PLT); total serum bile acids (S‐BA); glutamate dehydrogenase (S‐GLDH); and a blood plasma prostaglandin F2α metabolite (15‐ketodihydro‐PGF2α; P‐PG). The major findings were decreased numbers of MN, PMN and B‐RBC 3 to 6 h after the start of the ET exposure and increased numbers of neutrophilic granulocytes in the BAL fluid of the ET‐exposed animals. It is concluded that a combined oral and airborne ET challenge induces hematological and cytological changes that may contribute to the development of respiratory disorders.