Toro Colón, Carla C.

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    Respuesta inmunológica en cerditos recién nacidos de madres vacunadas con las cepas K88, K99, F41 y 987P de Escherichia coli
    (2004) Toro Colón, Carla C.; Rivera Colón, Edgardo; College of Agricultural Sciences; Santana Nieves, Carmen; Siberio Torres, Víctor; Latorre Acevedo, José R.; Department of Animal Science; Torres, Ramón I.
    Ten Yorkshire sows with variable numbers of previous parturitions were divided into two equal groups to test two treatments. Five sows were injected with a vaccine against the strains K88, K99, F41 and 987P of Escherichia coli at five and two weeks prior to farrowing while the remaining 5 were injected with a placebo. All the sows were bled via jugular puncture before each injection and at 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, and 21 days post – partum. All of the piglets born to them were also bled at 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, and 21 days after birth. Blood serum was obtained by centrifugation and stored at 4.0oC until analyzed. An ELISA (Enzyme Linked Inmunoabsorbant Assay) test was used to determine antibody titers in serum of IgM, IgA, and IgG. Results demonstrated a significant P < 0.05 rise in serum immunoglobulins M and A levels in the sows that were vaccinated for E. coli and their piglets. Immunoglobulin M, A and G were found to be affected by a direct correlation with their initial concentration and the initial concentration of IgA and IgG were found to be affected by the number of parturitions in the sows. Levels of immunoglobulins for piglets showed a significant value of difference between those from vaccinated sows and unvaccinated sows. The average level of immunoglobulins more than double for those from vaccinated sows and unvaccinated sows. A gradual decline during the first 3 weeks post-partum was found, but this trend was slower in the piglets born to vaccinated sows. However, under the conditions of good management and hygiene that prevailed in this study, no significant positive effect of the vaccination was found in regard to pre-weaning mortality, number of piglets weaned, or body weight gain. The results support the hypothesis that the passive immunity of piglets can be enhanced by vaccination of the dam prior to farrowing, which should provide improved protection against colibacillosis.