Veterinarski arhiv, Vol. 78 No. 4, 2008.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
The influence of birth mass and age of suckling piglets on erythrocyte parameters
Anamaria Ekert Kabalin
; Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Balenović
; Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivica Valpotić
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Željko Pavičić
; Department of Animal Hygiene, Environment and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Hrvoje Valpotić
; Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Sažetak
The preweaning period is the most critical phase in pig production. During that period the production parameters of small birth mass piglets are the poorest and losses are the heaviest. In this study red blood cell characteristics were investigated in suckling piglets of normal and small birth mass, regarding the various changes occurring after birth related to organ development, colostrum intake, degradation of fetal erythrocytes and parental globulins, acquirement of immunocompetence, environmental changes, stress, and other factors.
The average values of erythrocyte numbers obtained in both groups of piglets after birth were below the lower threshold of the reference range for pigs and only reached it at 14 (piglets of normal birth mass) or at 21 days of age (small birth mass piglets). The average erythrocyte count at the end of the suckling period was significantly higher (P<0.01) than values established on the first day of life. The increase recorded is probably a result of
accelerated erythropoesis in young animals after degradation of fetal erythrocytes. A significantly higher value (P<0.01) of hematocrits was recorded in both groups at the end of the suckling period in comparison with the first day. Only in the group of small birth mass piglets was there a statistically significant higher haemoglobin value (P<0.01) on the 21st day compared with the 1st day of life. All piglets had significantly lower values (P<0.01) of erythrocyte parameters (MCV, MCH and MCHC) at weaning than on the first day of life. Piglets of normal birth mass had significantly larger number of erythrocytes (P<0.05) and lower MCV value (P<0.05) at 7 days of age, and significantly lower MCV and MCH (P<0.01) in relation to low birth mass piglets at two weeks of age.
Ključne riječi
suckling piglets; birth mass; age; haematological parameters; kinetics
Hrčak ID:
26538
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.8.2008.
Posjeta: 1.310 *