ORIGINAL PAPER
Haematological and biochemical parameters of
blood and immune response of runt weaners
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1
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Agricultural University of Wrocław,
Norwida 31, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
2
Department of Animal Hygiene and Livestock Environment, Agricultural University of Wrocław
Norwida 31, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
3
Department of Swine Breeding, Agricultural University of Wrocław
Norwida 31, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
Publication date: 1998-10-22
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 1998;7(4):405-413
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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out on 45 pigs weaned at 21 days of age with too low body weights, which
is referred to as runting-stunting syndrome (RSS). The animals were divided into 3 groups depending on the cause of RSS (low weight at birth, coliform diarrhoea during sucking, or postnatal difficulties in moving). Haematological and biochemical (plasma levels of total protein, bilirubin, blood
Ca+2 and Fe+3 contents) parameters were determined in each group on day 7 after weaning. The
results were compared with the parameters determined in normal pigs. Some pigs were immunized
with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) on day 10 after weaning. Half the immunized weaners were treated
with levamisole (1 mg/kg) for 4 consecutive days to determine the immune response of animals to
this immunomodulating agent. Significant changes in biochemical parameters were observed only
in pigs with RSS caused by coliform infections. The immune response of pigs with RSS to the
immunomodulating dose of levamisole was limited.
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