A study by flow cytometry of lymphocytes in sow colostrum

Mammary secretions contain leucocytes which may be of value to the neonate. The cells obtained from sow colostrum (1 to 2·5 × 10⁶ ml⁻¹) are mainly lymphocytes (10 to 25 per cent) and epithelial cells (more than 20 per cent). In milk, there are few lymphocytes (0·5 to 2 per cent) and mostly alveolar epithelial cells. The study of lymphocytes in the mammary secretions of sows has been made difficult by the high proportion of epithelial cells, which could not be separated from lymphocytes, and by a high background in membrane immunofluorescence labelling. This paper describes a method for the study of the cells in the mammary secretions of sows by flow cytometry. It showed that 70 to 90 per cent of colostral lymphocytes were T lymphocytes, with T8 lymphocytes predominating over T4, and that the ratio T4/T8 was significantly lower in colostrum (0·57) than in blood (0·80). There were no lymphocytes expressing interleukin-2-receptors in the colostrum of sows.     

Shedding of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in mammary gland secretions of sows.

OBJECTIVE: To document shedding of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus in mammary gland secretions of experimentally inoculated sows, to evaluate effects of vaccination during gestation on virus shedding during the subsequent lactation, and to evaluate shedding of PRRS virus in milk of sows in commercial herds. ANIMALS: 6 sows seronegative for PRRS virus were used for experiment 1, and 2 sows were retained for experiment 2. For experiment 3, 202 sows in commercial herds were used. PROCEDURE: In experiment 1, 2 sows were inoculated with PRRS virus, 2 sows were vaccinated with modified-live PRRS virus vaccine, and 2 sows served as control pigs. Mammary gland secretions were assayed for PRRS virus. In experiment 2, pregnant vaccinated sows from experiment 1 were vaccinated with another modified-live PRRS virus vaccine. Mammary gland secretions were assayed in the same manner as for experiment 1. For experiment 3, milk collected from 202 sows in commercial herds was assayed for PRRS virus. RESULTS: In experiment 1, PRRS virus was detected in mammary gland secretions of both vaccinated and 1 of 2 virus-inoculated sows. In experiment 2, virus was not detected in samples from either vaccinated sow. In experiment 3, all samples yielded negative results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Na?ve sows inoculated late in gestation shed PRRS virus in mammary secretions. Previous vaccination appeared to prevent shedding during the subsequent lactation. Results for samples obtained from sows in commercial herds suggested that virus shedding in mammary gland secretions of such sows is uncommon.     

Lactational variation and relationship to postnatal growth of insulin-like growth factor-I in mammary secretions from genetically diverse sows

Mammary secretions obtained from four groups of sows at parturition and on days 7, 14 and 21 of lactation were defatted and assayed for total protein and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Sows (n = 57) represented two breeds (Landrace and Duroc) and two genetic lines (selected for differences in sow productivity index, SPI) within each breed. Colostrum of Duroc sows was 4-6 fold and 30-60 fold greater in protein (P less than .001) and IGF-I (P less than .001) concentrations, respectively, than the corresponding day 7 milk from these sows. In contrast, the colostrum of Landrace sows was 2-3 fold and 30-50 fold greater in protein (P less than .001) and IGF-I (P less than .001) concentrations, respectively, than the corresponding day 7 milk. The IGF-I content in milk from Duroc sows did not differ among days 7, 14 and 21 of lactation, whereas the IGF-I content of day 7 milk from Landrace sows exceeded those for the corresponding 14 day and 21 day secretion (P less than .05). IGF-I concentration in days 14 and 21 milk was higher in Duroc (P less than .001 respectively) than Landrace sows. No significant differences in total protein or IGF-I content of mammary secretions were observed between the selected and control lines within each breed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vitro study of polymorphonuclear leukocyte damage to mammary tissues of lactating cows

Effects of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) on mammary tissue of lactating cows were studied in vitro. The PMN were isolated from mammary glands of nulliparous heifers given an injection of 5 micrograms of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Mammary tissue was obtained from noninfected quarters of 5 lactating Holstein cows and was cultured in supplemented medium 199. Mammary explants were treated by addition of intact or lysed PMN (10(5), 10(6), 10(7)/ml) or PMN (10(5), 10(7)/ml) which were allowed to phagocytose opsonized zymosan. Controls included cultures of mammary tissue alone, PMN alone, and mammary tissue plus zymosan. Cultures were incubated at 37 C for 3, 8, or 24 hours. Tissue from 1 randomly selected culture/treatment was weighed and processed for microscopy. Tissue from remaining cultures was incubated with [3H]amino acids or [14C]acetate to determine rates of protein and fatty acid synthesis. Media from all cultures were assayed for activity of the lysosomal enzyme, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. An increase (P less than 0.02) in the activity of this enzyme was detected in the medium of explant cultures treated with 10(7) phagocytosing PMN/ml at 3 and 8 hours and with 10(7) intact or lysed PMN/ml at 8 hours. Treatment did not inhibit (P greater than 0.05) rates of protein or fatty acid synthesis. Microscopic examination indicated that epithelial cell damage resulted from treatment with 10(6) and 10(7) intact, lysed, or phagocytosing PMN/ml. Greatest morphologic damage resulted from treatment with phagocytosing PMN.     

Inhibition of adhesion of Escherichia coli K88 antigen by mammary secretions of susceptible and resistant sows

Anti-adhesive activities of colostrum and milk from genetically susceptible sows, which protected their susceptible offspring in an outbreak of neonatal diarrhoea caused by K88-positive Escherichia coli, were compared with the activities in mammary secretions of resistant dams that did not protect their susceptible progeny. There was significantly more anti-adhesive antibody in the secretions of susceptible sows than in resistant sows, both during the disease period, and 1 year later. Fractionation of colostrum by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography led to identification of the anti-adhesive antibodies as including both IgA and IgM.     

A study of cells in the mammary secretions of sows

The morphology and some of the in vitro functional properties of the cells in the mammary secretions of sows have been examined. A mean cell yield of 1 × 10⁷ cells/ml was obtained from sow colostrum but during the first week post-partum the yield decreased approximately 10 fold. The polymorphonuclear leucocyte was the predominant cell type in colostrum and milk and was associated with varying proportions of lymphocytes, macrophages and epithelial cells. The phagocytes of sow milk ingested heat-killed yeast, although the phagocytic index for milk macrophages was low compared with autologous neutrophils and alveolar macrophages. Milk whey provided an effective opsonising medium for yeast ingestion. Intra-mammary immunisation of sows with ovalbumin induced antigen-reactive lymphocytes in both peripheral blood and milk.     

CD44 is highly expressed on milk neutrophils in bovine mastitis and plays a role in their adhesion to matrix and mammary epithelium

Mastitis, inflammation of the mammary gland, is a common and economically important disease in dairy animals. Mammary pathogenic organisms, such as Escherichia coli, invade the teat canal,milk ducts, and mammary alveolar space, replicate in mammary secretions, and elicit a local inflammatory response characterized by massive recruitment of blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) into the alveoli and milk ducts. CD44 is a trans-membrane glycoprotein previously shown to play a role in mediation and control of blood PMN recruitment in response to inflammatory signals. Here we show, for the first time, increased expression of CD44 on recruited milk PMN in bovine mastitis and the expression of a CD44 variant, CD44v10, on these PMN. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CD44 mediates specific adhesion of bovine blood PMN to hyaluronic acid and mammary epithelial cells. Our results suggest that in mastitis CD44 plays a role in recruiting blood PMN into the mammary glands, the exact nature of this role needs to be elucidated.     

A simple, rapid method for differential cell counts in porcine mammary secretions.

The use of the fluorescent dye acridine orange for making differential cell counts in mammary secretions from sows was investigated, and the variations in cell type during the lactation period were also studied. In untreated samples of mammary secretions polymorphonuclear leucocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, lymphocytes and epithelial cells could be identified with certainty, and the methodological error was small (1.80 to 2.22 per cent). The mammary secretions could be stored at 4 degrees C for six hours without any effect on the differential count. Washing the secretions decreased the percentage of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and increased the percentage of epithelial cells. The polymorphonuclear leucocytes predominated in colostrum (58.0 to 65.5 per cent) and epithelial cells predominated in milk (60 to 89 per cent). Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were the predominant phagocytes in all mammary secretions (7.6 to 65.5 per cent).     

乳腺分泌物中体细胞的研究进展

不同物种的乳腺分泌物中含有的细胞成分被称为体细胞,其中包括淋巴细胞、白细胞、巨噬细胞和上皮细胞。物种、乳腺感染情况、不同生理阶段和饲养管理条件等因素均会影响乳中的体细胞数量和细胞类型。近年来,乳中体细胞得到了人们的关注和深入研究,显示出广阔的应用前景。人们利用从初乳和常乳中得到的乳腺上皮细胞已经成功进行了乳腺细胞的原代培养和建立了乳腺细胞系,为乳生成、被动免疫转移和乳腺癌的研究提供了良好平台。体细胞中提取的RNA代表了乳腺组织的基因表达,因此为研究乳腺组织的基因表达提供了方便、良好的来源。     

Secretory component and IgA expression by epithelial cells in sow mammary gland and mammary secretions

Secretory component (SC) and IgA expression of epithelial cells were studied in the mammary tissue and mammary secretions of sows. In mammary tissue, SC was not detected until day 105 of gestation. From the time of delivery (day 115) to the time of established lactation, the proportion of epithelial cells containing sc rose from 20 per cent to nearly 100 per cent. There was no IgA in alveolar epithelial cells until day 105 of gestation; on day 115, IgA positive epithelial cells were present in 10 per cent of the alveoli, which increased to 80 per cent during lactation. Epithelial cells represented more than 20 per cent of the total cells in colostrum, and predominated over leucocytes in milk. In colostrum, these epithelial cells (9 to 15 μm) showed weakly positive membrane, sc, contained cytoplasmic SC and had a limited capacity for in vitro proliferation. Ten per cent of epithelial cells contained intracytroplasmic IgA. In milk, the epithelial cells were larger (15 to 40 μm) with a higher expression of both membrane and intracytoplasmic sc; 66 per cent of these cells expressed intracytoplasmic IgA. These data showed that the capacity of mammary epithelium to process IgA to secretory IgA was complete at the end of mammary gland organisation, and established that the epithelial cells of milk contribute to the transfer of IgA to neonates.     

Farrowing induction induces transient alterations in prolactin concentrations and colostrum composition in primiparous sows

Hormonal changes involved in the farrowing process partly control the initiation of lactation. Inducing farrowing by injection of PG may alter the normal prepartum hormonal cascade. The aim of the study was to investigate the consequences of farrowing induction on colostrum yield and composition, as well as newborn piglet growth. Gilts were treated with 2 mg of alfaprostol on d 113 of gestation (induced farrowing, IF, n = 9) or were injected with 1 mL of a saline solution (natural farrowing, NF, n = 11). Colostrum production was estimated during 24 h, starting at the onset of parturition, based on piglet BW gains. Colostrum samples were collected during the 36 h after the onset of parturition. Blood samples were collected from sows as of d 112 of pregnancy until d 2 postpartum (d 0 being the day of parturition). Piglet blood samples were obtained at birth, on d 1, and on d 21. Litter size and litter weight at birth did not differ between groups (P > 0.10). Farrowing induction did not influence (P > 0.10) colostrum yield (3.96 ± 0.20 kg) or piglet BW gain during d 1 postpartum (116 ± 8 g). At the onset of farrowing (T0), lactose content in colostrum was greater in IF sows than in NF sows (P < 0.05), whereas colostrum ash and protein contents were less (P < 0.05) in IF sows. Concentrations of IgG in colostrum were similar in both groups of sows, whereas concentrations of IgA at T0 were less in IF than in NF sows (P < 0.01). Overall, endocrine changes in blood from d -2 until d 2 (cortisol, prolactin, progesterone, and estradiol-17β) were not altered by farrowing induction (P > 0.10), but 1 h after the injection of alfaprostol, IF sows had greater circulating concentrations of prolactin (P < 0.01) and cortisol (P < 0.10) than NF sows. The greater concentration of lactose in colostrum from IF sows could be attributed to this transient increase in prolactin and cortisol. At birth, concentrations of white blood cells were less in piglets born from IF sows (P < 0.01). On d 1 and 21, piglets from IF sows had similar IgG concentrations in plasma to piglets from NF sows (P > 0.1). In conclusion, farrowing induction at 113 d of pregnancy induced transient hormonal changes in sows and alterations in colostrum composition, without significantly affecting colostrum yield. It also modified some hematological variables of piglets at birth.     

Oral immunization of sows: anti-K88 antibodies in serum and milk of the sow and in serum of the piglets

Pregnant sows were immunized by oral application of live E. coli. The effect of immunization was demonstrated by measuring the titers of anti-K88 antibodies in sow serum, colostrum and milk as well as in piglet sera using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The isotype involved in anti-K88 reactivity was found to be IgA. By comparing IgA-titers in colostrum and milk, the local production of this Ig-class in the mammary gland is suggested.     

Sows intramammarily inoculated with Escherichia coli at parturition: I. Functional capacity of granulocytes in sows affected or non-affected by clinical mastitis

The objective of this study was to investigate if occurrence of clinical disease was related to granulocyte traits in sows. Functional capacity of granulocytes and plasma steroid hormone concentrations were assessed before inoculation with Escherichia coli in the mammary glands in sows at parturition. Blood samples were taken for 3 days approximately 1 week before parturition, and granulocyte migration, phagocytic capacity and expression of CD 18 adhesion molecules were determined. Inoculation was done within 36 h before partus. Thereafter, daily thorough clinical examinations were performed including udder health, habitus, appetite and rectal temperature, to assess the severity of disease. Based on the clinical findings four sows were classified as affected and eight as non-affected by clinical mastitis within 48 h after parturition.No difference (p>0.10) in pre-inoculation chemotaxis, phagocytosis or CD 18 expression was found between granulocytes from the sows resisting and developing clinical mastitis, respectively. However, there was an effect by the individual sow (p=0.001) on the numbers of granulocytes and white blood cells, and on plasma concentrations of estradiol-17beta and progesterone. In conclusion, these data does not suggest that impaired chemotaxis or phagocytosis by blood granulocytes contribute to the development of clinical coliform mastitis in the periparturient sow.     

Sows intramammarily inoculated with Escherichia coli influence of time of infection, hormone concentrations and leucocyte numbers on development of disease

The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence the development of disease in sows inoculated with Escherichia coli in the mammary gland. Ten cross-bred primiparous sows were intramammarily inoculated with living E. coli bacteria at different time points before parturition: seven sows within 48 h before parturition and three sows approximately 96 h before parturition. Before and after inoculation, blood samples and mammary gland biopsy specimens were collected and clinical observations were made. All seven sows inoculated close to parturition developed a rectal temperature of >39.5 degrees C during the first 48 h post-partum and two of them also showed other signs of clinical disease. In the sows inoculated 4 days before parturition, the rectal temperature never exceeded 39.5 degrees C during the first 48 h post-partum and none of them showed any other sign of clinical discase. There was a tendency (P < 0.1) that histological signs of mastitis were more frequent in the sows inoculated close to parturition. There were no overall differences between the two groups of sows in plasma concentrations of cortisol, oestradiol-17beta and 15-ketodihydro-PGF2alpha before inoculation. Before inoculation, the number of neutrophils in the blood was overall higher (P < 0.05) in the group of sows that were inoculated close to parturition. In comparison, the number of lymphocytes before inoculation had a tendency (P < 0.1) to be lower in that group. The data suggest that the time of infection of the mammary gland relative to parturition and the number of circulating neutrophils at the time of infection influence the development of chinical coliform mastitis in the sow.     

Quantification of mammary gland tissue size and composition changes after weaning in sows

The objectives of this study were to characterize the tissue compositional changes in porcine mammary glands after weaning and to determine whether administration of estradiol alters the profile of these tissue changes. Forty-five primiparous sows were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups after weaning, control or estrogen treated. Estrogen-treated sows received twice-daily injections of estradiol-17beta (0.125 mg/kg of BW); control sows received vehicle injections. Sows were weaned at d 21 of lactation and killed on either d 0 (d of weaning; n = 5) or on d 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 after weaning (n = 4 per treatment on each day). Teat order relative to suckling behavior was observed on the day before weaning to determine which mammary glands the piglets suckled. Suckled and non-suckled glands were identified from the teat order observation, and individual mammary glands were collected at slaughter. Mammary glands were trimmed of skin and extraneous fat pad, individually weighed, and bisected to measure cross-sectional area. The remaining half of each gland was ground and stored at -20 degrees C for chemical analyses. Frozen tissue was used for measuring tissue DNA, DM, protein, fat, and ash contents. Suckled mammary glands of sows undergo significant and dramatic changes during the initial 7 d after weaning, with significant changes occurring even by d 2 after weaning. Mean cross-sectional area of parenchymal tissue in suckled mammary glands decreased from 59.7 +/- 2.1 cm2 on the day of weaning to 26.8 +/- 2.3 cm2 by d 7 after weaning (P < 0.0001). Mammary gland wet weight decreased from 485.9 +/- 22.0 g on the day of weaning to 151.5 +/- 24.8 g by d 7 after weaning (P < 0.0001), whereas DNA decreased from 838.8 +/- 46.2 g on the day of weaning to 278.4 +/- 52.5 g by d 7 after weaning (P < 0.0001). The changes in gland wet weight and DNA during the period of mammary gland involution in the sow represent loses of over two-thirds of the parenchymal mass and nearly two-thirds of the cells that were present on the day of weaning. Estrogen treatment did not affect overall mammary involution during the first 7 d after weaning. Mammary glands that were not suckled during lactation had no further loss of parenchymal tissue during the first 7 d after weaning. Mammary gland involution in the sow is a rapid process and is probably irreversible within 2 or 3 d after weaning.     

In vitro growth-promoting activity of porcine mammary secretions: initial characterization and relationship to known peptide growth factors

We have examined the in vitro growth-promoting properties and growth factor content of porcine mammary secretions. Defatted, porcine colostrum stimulated the proliferation of fibroblast and epithelial-like cell lines of diverse species origins in serum-free medium and cellular DNA synthesis (4- to 119-fold) as monitored by uptake of 3H-thymidine into DNA of quiescent cells in culture. Porcine milk, although mitogenic, had reduced activity when compared with colostrum on an equivalent-volume basis. Furthermore, the relative mitogenic activity of milk, although still detectable at 3 wk, continued to decline with length of the lactation period. Fractionation of pig colostrum on gel-filtration columns revealed multiple peaks of (AKR-2B) fibroblast mitogenic activity (208, 66 and 4.6 kdaltons) and a heterogenous profile of epithelial cell mitogenicity. Polyclonal antibodies (IgG) specific for murine epidermal growth factor (EGF; the major mitogen in human and murine milk) or human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) did not inhibit the mitogenic activity of pig colostrum or milk, demonstrating lack of antigenic relatedness between the contributing porcine factors and mEGF or hPDGF. Also, we were unable to demonstrate similarity of the small Mr colostral factor with EGF by use of EGF radioreceptor assay. These results identify porcine colostrum and milk as sources of potentially important in vitro growth-promoting factors. The enhanced expression of these factors in early mammary secretions suggests their possible in vivo involvement in mammary and neonatal tissue growth processes.     

Detection of cytokines in bovine colostrum

Colostrum contains factors that are protective for the neonate and may be a source of immunomodulary molecules that positively influence the immune status of the neonate. To confirm that colostrum contains a variety of cytokines with immunomodulatory properties, we established a bovine cytokine specific ELISA and five cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma or IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1ra) in the whey samples from cows at different stages of lactation were monitored. The expression of cytokine mRNAs (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and INF-gamma) in the colostral cells was detected by RT-PCR. The concentrations of cytokines in colostrum were significantly higher concentrations than those in the mature milk. A positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of IL-1ra and IL-1 beta in the colostrum samples. In conclusion, colostrum contains high levels of cytokines that could be produced and secreted in the mammary gland and that may have an immunomodulatory activity and influence neonatal immunity.     

Morphometric analysis of proinflammatory cytokines in mammary glands of sows suggests an association between clinical mastitis and local production of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha

Twelve healthy primiparous sows received intramammary inoculation with Escherichia coli (serotype O127) during the 24-h period preceding parturition. Mammary gland biopsy samples were taken immediately before inoculation (0 h) and from the inoculated and the contralateral non-inoculated glands 24 h after inoculation. The analyses of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by immunohistochemistry revealed that the production of these proinflammatory cytokines significantly increased in the inoculated mammary glands of sows that developed clinical signs of mastitis (affected group, n=4) 24 h after inoculation. This was also true for IL-8 in the inoculated mammary glands of sows that did not develop clinical signs of mastitis (nonaffected group, n=8). Sows that developed clinical signs of mastitis displayed significantly lower constitutive production of IL-1beta than did sows that remained clinically healthy. The data indicate that the development of clinical symptoms of coliform mastitis in the sow is associated with a locally increased proinflammatory cytokine production in response to intramammary E. coli infection.     

Lactational performance of first-parity transgenic gilts expressing bovine alpha-lactalbumin in their milk

The goal of this study was to determine whether the presence of the bovine alpha-lactalbumin transgene in first-lactation gilts enhances lactational performance and litter growth. Transgenic and sibling nontransgenic gilts were bred to nontransgenic boars. Litters were standardized to 10 piglets within 24 h of farrowing. Milk production was measured by the weigh-suckle-weigh method on d 3, 6, 9, and 12 of lactation. Bovine alpha-lactalbumin was present in the colostrum and milk of transgenic gilts throughout lactation. The expression of the transgene was associated with alterations in composition of mammary secretions, especially in early lactation. Lactose concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in mammary secretions of transgenic gilts during the first 12 h postpartum compared with controls. In contrast, total solids concentration in mammary secretions from transgenic gilts were lower (P < 0.05) relative to controls during the first 6 h postpartum. Transgenic gilts produced more milk than controls on d 3, 6, and 9 of lactation (P < 0.01). By d 12, differences in milk production between transgenic and control sows were no longer different. Lactose intake by transgenic-reared litters was greater than lactose intake by control-reared litters on d 6 of lactation (P < 0.05). Total solids intake was significantly greater (P < 0.05) by transgenic-reared litters on d 3 and 6 compared to control-reared litters. The day x genotype interaction on litter weight gain after birth was highly significant (P = 0.011), with transgenic-reared litters gaining weight at a greater rate than control-reared piglets. Expression of the transgene was associated with increased milk production in lactating gilts and increased growth of transgenic-reared piglets. Increased lactose synthesis in response to the presence of the transgene may result in increased milk production in early lactation, leading to increased milk component intake by transgenic litters, and ultimately to increased growth of litters reared by first-parity transgenic gilts.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of oregano essential oils to sows on colostrum and milk composition, growth pattern and immune status of suckling pigs

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing sow diets with oregano essential oils (OEO) during gestation and lactation on sow colostrum and milk composition and on the growth pattern and immune status of suckling pigs. A total of 70 second-parity sows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 gestation dietary treatments within 24 h after service: control (CON) or CON + 250 mg/kg of OEO (OREG). In lactation, sows were again assigned to either the CON or OREG dietary treatment. Thus, the lactation treatments were CON-CON, CON-OREG, OREG-CON, and OREG-OREG. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from 6 sows per lactation dietary treatment. Thymus lymphocyte (T lymphocyte) subpopulations (γδ, cluster of differentiation 8, and 32 cluster of differentiation 4) were enumerated in blood and mammary secretions along with IGF-1, IgG, and IgA concentrations. Piglet growth rate were determined from 18, 17, 17, and 18 litters from the CON-CON, CON-OREG, OREG-CON, and OREG-OREG lactation dietary treatments, respectively. Growth rates were determined in 630 piglets, and piglets were individually identified and weighed on 1, 5, 9, 12, 16, and 19 d of age. Oregano essential oil supplementation during gestation or lactation had no effect (P > 0.05) on GE, CP, GE:CP, GE:fat, and IGF-1 in sow milk. Reductions of the fat percentage in milk on d 7 (P < 0.05) and d 14 (P = 0.07) were found in sows supplemented with OEO during lactation compared with those in the CON treatment. Milk from sows supplemented with OEO during lactation had the greatest number of T lymphocytes compared with those in the lactation CON treatment on d 14 of lactation (P < 0.01). The number of T lymphocytes in milk was greater for sows in the CON-OREG treatment compared with those other treatments on d 14 of lactation (P < 0.05). Energy intake was greater on d 1 to 5 in piglets from sows fed OEO during gestation than those from sows in the CON treatment (P < 0.05). A trend (P = 0.10) for greater milk intake was observed in piglets from sows supplemented with OEO during gestation compared with those from sows in the CON treatment. Similarly, a tendency for an increase in ADG on d 1 to 5 was found in piglets from sows supplemented with OEO during gestation compared with those from sows in the CON treatment (P = 0.10). Insulin-like growth factor-1 at birth and on d 7 and 14 of lactation did not differ among piglets from sows assigned to the different dietary treatments. Oregano essential oil supplementation of sow diets did not affect (P > 0.05) immunoglobulin concentrations in piglets after suckling. Supplementing sow diets with OEO during gestation or lactation did not affect (P > 0.05) the T lymphocytes, percentage of T-lymphocyte subpopulations, and natural killer cell activity of piglets during lactation. Supplementing sow diets with 250 mg/kg of OEO during gestation and lactation did not affect the growth potential of and immune responses in suckling piglets.