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The effect of colostrum ingestion during the first 24 hours of life on early postnatal development of piglet immune systems
Author(s) -
Ogawa Shohei,
Tsukahara Takamitsu,
Imaoka Taishi,
Nakanishi Nobuo,
Ushida Kazunari,
Inoue Ryo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.12573
Subject(s) - colostrum , ingestion , weaning , immune system , feces , antibody , biology , immunoglobulin a , immunology , immunity , zoology , physiology , immunoglobulin g , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology
It has been suggested that colostrum is important not only for direct protection from pathogens but also for proper development of immune systems in piglets. In this study, we focused on the effect of colostrum ingestion during the first 24 h of life on early postnatal development of piglet immune systems. Thirty‐six piglets from five litters were divided into colostrum‐fed (CoF) and colostrum‐deprived (CoD) groups. The former group was allowed to suckle normally while formula milk was fed to the latter group during the first 24 h of life. At the weaning period, the concentrations of fecal immunoglobulin (Ig) A and plasma IgG as well as the number of blood leukocyte subsets were analyzed. Fecal IgA and plasma IgG concentrations in the CoF group were more than twice as high as those in the CoD group ( P < 0.01). In addition, the number of blood B cells was significantly higher in the CoF group than that in the CoD group ( P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that colostrum ingestion during the first 24 h plays a significant role in early postnatal development of both mucosal and systemic immunity of piglets.