Relationship between growth of nursing pigs and composition of sow colostrum and milk from anterior and posterior mammary glands

Abstract

Piglets that nurse anterior mammary glands grow faster than those suckling posterior mammary glands. The underlying mechanisms are not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a difference in composition in colostrum and milk secreted by anterior and posterior mammary glands. Seven healthy sows were used. The first three pairs of mammary glands were defined as anterior mammary glands (AMG) and the rest as posterior mammary glands (PMG). Additionally, the total of 87 born piglets from 7 litters derived from the sows involved in the experiment was analyzed. Piglets from each litter that nursed AMG were defined as AMG group while the rest of piglets from the litter were defined as PMG group. Colostrum and milk were collected at days 1, 2, 3 and 7 after parturition. Samples taken from anterior and posterior mammary glands were pooled, respectively. Results showed that total protein, IGF-I and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in the colostrum of anterior than posterior glands and IGF-I concentration remained significantly higher in milk of anterior compared to posterior glands. There were no significant differences in fat, dry matter and lactose among anterior and posterior glands during all examined periods. Additionally, blood samples from nursing sows were obtained at days 1 and 7 after parturition. Results showed that concentrations of Ca, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin and insulin significantly increased from day 1 to day 7 of parturition while concentrations of P, BUN, CK and IGF-I did not significantly change during this period. Initial body weight of pigs nursing the anterior gland was higher but not significantly that those suckling posterior glands. Pigs that nursed anterior glands gained 538 weight faster then those which suckled posterior glands resulting with significantly higher body weigh of piglets nursing anterior compared to posterior glands at day 8 of neonatal life (p < 0.05). Therefore, it may be concluded that the priority of anterior glands milk secretion in total protein and grow stimulating factors may have an impact on increased body weight gain of nursing pigs.

Expression of E2 (Gp 55) Glycoprotein of Classical Swine Fever Virus in Lymphoid Tissue and Brain of Experimentally Infected Piglets with Different Immunological Status

“…Various infl uences which could impact colostral immunity were already described [21,22,23]. The current study showed that the IHC technique is a useful tool for detection, localisation and distribution of CSFV in formalin fi xed, paraffi n embedded tissue samples.…”

Endocrine And Metabolic Adaptations Of Calves To Extra-Uterine Life

“…Anyway, colostrum contains many other non-nutrient biologically active substances, such as hormones and growth factors, that are not essential for survival of the neonate but have great impact on good health of offspring [18]. This is the case not only in bovine, but also in other domestic animal species [80]. Therefore, any disturbances in milk quality of dams [81,82] may affect the survival of young animals.…”

Classical Swine Fever: Active Immunisation of Piglets with Subunit (E2) Vaccine in the Presence of Different Levels of Colostral Immunity (China Strain)

“…According to available data, sows whose piglets were used in our trial were vaccinated with C-strain at least 5 times in their lifetime and the difference of MDAs prevalence cannot be explained due to the different vaccination status of sows. Considerable variations of MDA status among piglets could be explained by various amounts of colostral uptake by piglets [12,18,19]. Application of a subunit vaccine in piglets originating from sows vaccinated with C-strain resulted in a good active immune response in the view of synthesis of specifi c antibodies.…”

“…From the day when 28 piglets from A, B, C groups and D-control subgroup were experimentally infected, blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein of each individual piglet according to the following sampling scheme: 0, 2, 4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26, 28 days post infection (dpi) to detect the presence of antibodies against CSF, viremia and viral RNA (ELISA test and RT-PCR). The control of CSFV shedding by vaccinated, artifi cially infected piglets was performed by RT-PCR analysis of oropharyngeal and rectal swabs with the following sampling scheme: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dpi.…”