Original scientific paper

Relation between erythrocyte parameters and stillbirth in piglets

Ante Svetina
Ljiljana Vrabac
Maja Belić
Romana Turk

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between erythrocyte parameters of piglets and their
mortality during parturition. Erythrocyte count, haematocrit volume, blood haemoglobin concentration, mean
cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were
determined in 80 live-born and 109 stillborn piglets. In both live-born and stillborn piglets the investigated
parameters were evaluated with respect to sex and birth mass. Blood samples of all piglets were collected
immediately after birth. Stillborn piglets had lower erythrocyte values (P<0.01), haemoglobin (P<0.05) and
haematocrit (P<0.01) than live-born piglets. The results suggest that the incidence of stillbirth in piglets is
associated with reduced levels of erythrocytes and haemoglobin in their blood. There are no significant influences
of sex and birth mass on any of the investigated erythrocyte parameters in either live-born or stillborn piglets.

Keywords

erythrocyte parameters; parturition; live-born piglets; stillborn piglets

Hrčak ID:

5138

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/5138

Publication date:

20.8.2006.

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