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Title: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMMUNE CELLS AND PIG GROWTH ON A COMMERCIAL FARM

Author
item GALINA-PANTOJA, LUCINA - SYGEN INT.FRANKLIN KY
item SOLANO-AGULAR, GLORIA - NRFL USDA BELTSVILLE
item MELLENCAMP, MARTHA - SYGEN INT.FRANKLIN KY
item BASTIAANSEN, JOHN - SSYGEN INT.FRANKLIN KY
item Lunney, Joan

Submitted to: International Pig Veterinary Society (IPVS)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2004
Publication Date: 6/6/2004
Citation: Galina-Pantoja, L., Solano-Agular, G., Mellencamp, M.A., Bastiaansen, J., Lunney, J.K. 2004. Relationship between immune cells and pig growth on a commercial farm. Pig Veterinary Society International Congress Proceedings 7:381.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Exposure of pigs to disease pathogens compromises productivity, even in the absence of clinical disease. Understanding the relationship between immune system and growth may allow us to develop strategies to reduce the impact of pathogens on pig growth. Immune cell numbers and functions show considerable genetic variation in out-bred populations and associations between production parameters and immune cells and growth have been found. Despite this, clear understanding between immune cells and growth of pigs on commercial farms is not known. The goal of this work was to begin to explore those associations. Two hundred pigs from 3 commercial crosses were used. Production parameters measured included on-test average daily gains (ADG). At 6-7 weeks, blood was collected, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) purified and the percentages of immune cells subsets determined by flow cytometry. The Fc receptor III (CD16) and NK cells (CD2/CD16) appear to be biomarkers that predict pig performance on this commercial farm. Higher percentages of lymphocyte expressing CD16+ and CD2+CD16+ in blood samples had a etrimental effect on ADG. The use of leukocyte subsets to identify better growers before weaning may be beneficial. Selection of pigs using these tools may ensure a more efficient production for immediate practical use to the swine industry. Users - scientists, breeding companies, animal health companies