Immune response and blood chemistry of pigs fed conjugated linoleic acid1

Abstract

Immune function (response to concanavalin A, cytokine production, and lymphocyte profiles) and blood chemistry variables were measured in growing-finishing pigs (Yorkshire/Landrace/Duroc dam × Hampshire sire) fed varying percentages of CLA (0, 0.12, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0%). Blood was collected at 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56 d on feed (DOF). Total white blood cell (WBC) count increased (P < 0.01) linearly to 42 DOF. No differences (P = 0.53) were observed for WBC across CLA treatment. Nitric oxide was greater (P < 0.01) for the 1.0% CLA treatment compared with all other treatments. Flow cytometry using fluorescent labeled monoclonal antibodies to the CD4, CD8, double-positive CD4/CD8, and CD2 surface markers was used to determine lymphocyte subpopulations. Supplementation of CLA had no effect (P = 0.61) on lymphocyte subpopulation cell distribution. Most blood chemistry variables were within the normal metabolic range for pigs. A decrease was observed over DOF for P (P < 0.01) and K (P < 0.05). Additionally, Na and Cl concentrations increased (P < 0.05) from 14 to 28 DOF and decreased over the remainder of the trial. Electrolyte balance was not different (P = 0.38) across CLA treatments and was likely explained by no differences in feed intake among the CLA treatment groups. Blood lipid variables indicated that total cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), high-density lipoproteins (P < 0.001), and low-density lipoproteins (P < 0.01) increased as the amount of CLA in the diet increased, but none of the results from these treatments exceeded the normal range of acceptability. These results suggested that CLA was safe when fed to growing-finishing pigs and had little effect on their immune function and blood chemistry variables.

Biological effects of conjugated linoleic acids supplementation

“…Yamasaki et al (2003) found that the t10, c12 isomer is responsible for CLA effect on immunoglobulin production. In pigs CLA supplementation had little effect on their immune function and blood chemistry variables (Wiegand et al 2011). Ramirez-Santana et al (2011 observed enhancement of antibody synthesis and lowering the proliferative ability of splenocytes in rats by feeding cis-9, trans-11 CLA during early life.…”

Development of leukocytes countin blood of neonatal pigs after colostrum intake

“…Šperanda et al (2006) published content of leukocytes in blood of weaned healthy piglets 17.63 ± 2.77 G*l -1 . Blood of growing -finishing pigs fed with varied amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (0.12 to 1.0% of the diet) contained 15.77 to 17.61 G*l -1 WBC (Wiegand et al, 2011). White blood cells are the primary effector cells against infection and tissue damage, hence is good, when the piglets have more than 11 G*l -1 of WBC in peripheral blood.…”

“…The differences in average means of blood cells between different sampling times: * P<0.05; SD-standard deviation; V-variation Reference value for granulocytes specified by the manufacturer of the haematological analyser Abacus Junior Vet is 5 to 10 G*l -1 . Wiegand et al (2011) determined granulocytes count in growing pigs during 56 day long feeding experiment with conjugated linoleic acid in interval from 4.81 to 5.99 G*l -1 . Sutherland et al (2006) did not find differences in neutrophils and eosinophils between stressed and control pigs.…”