The content of Hb in blood and proteins, Fe, Fe-binding capacity, Cu and Zn in the blood plasma of sows and their piglets at the time of birth, after the uptake of colostrum and with different Fe supply

Keeping of piglets on slatted metal floor, without complementary iron supply, caused anaemia within seven days from parturition. Hb levels in the blood dropped from 7.00 +/- 1.16 to 3.47 +/- 0.74 mmol/l. Iron deficit reduced growth and vitality. The iron levels in blood plasma of the piglets tested varied between 5 and 35 mumol/l, immediately after parturition. Intraperitoneal or oral administration of Fe-dextran (150 mg Fe) on the first day after parturition resulted in physiological iron levels in blood plasma, after seven days. Yet, when 14 days had passed, the levels were similar to those recorded from piglets without additional iron supply. Iron bonding capacity of blood plasma increased in piglets of all groups up to the seventh day from birth. Death occurred, on the second day of age, to many piglets with protein levels below 50 g/l plasma. Copper levels in blood plasma of newborn piglets were below those recordable from sows, but they went up by more than three times of their original values up to the seventh day from birth. In piglets, zinc, levels of blood plasma after parturition were higher than those of sows and went up by some 50 percent, within seven days from birth.     

The effects of parenteral iron dextran and/or desferrioxamine on the development of experimental pseudotuberculosis in the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract The development of disease following oral challenge with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (serotype 11) was compared in four groups of five birds treated with a parenteral dose of 10 mg iron dextran (Imferon), 10 mg of iron dextran plus 10 mg of the chelating agent desferrioxamine (Desferal), 10 mg of desferrioxamine or 10 mg of dextran 2 days before the experiment. Four groups of two birds received the above treatment regimens but no bacterial challenge. In iron dextran treated birds, oral challenge resulted in faecal shedding for the 10 day duration of the experiment, whereas in those birds which received dextran or desferrioxamine alone, the duration of faecal shedding was significantly less. Serological titres to the lipopolysaccharide antigen of the challenge bacteria were also lower in the groups not pretreated with iron dextran. The birds pretreated with iron dextran had diarrhoea and were clinically unwell 2 days following the initial oral challenge. Birds not given iron dextran showed no clinical signs of disease. Histological examination of five selected areas in the liver, spleen and intestine of each bird indicated that birds in the groups treated with iron dextran prior to bacterial challenge had significantly more intestinal lesions than birds in the groups not treated with iron. In contrast, there were significantly more lesions in the spleens of birds not pretreated with iron dextran. There was no evidence of stainable iron in the livers of birds challenged with Y pseudotuberculosis 10 days after an injection of 10 mg of iron dextran. This is in contrast to birds given iron dextran and no bacteria. It was concluded that pretreatment of birds with iron dextran resulted in more severe clinical disease, prolonged faecal shedding with associated intestinal lesions and higher serological titres to bacterial antigen. The number of lesions in the spleen and liver was not necessarily correlated with the severity of clinical disease, and in all infected birds the hepatic iron levels were significantly lower than in the non-infected control birds 10 days after oral challenge. It seems probable that the chicken has a high requirement for iron during infection with Y pseudotuberculosis and mobilises stored and exogenously supplied iron for tissue repair and immunological function.     

The effects of parenteral iron dextran and/or desferrioxamine on the development of experimental pseudotuberculosis in the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus)

The development of disease following oral challenge with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (serotype 11) was compared in four groups of five birds treated with a parenteral dose of 10 mg iron dextran (Imferon), 10 mg of iron dextran plus 10 mg of the chelating agent desferrioxamine (Desferal), 10 mg of desferrioxamine or 10 mg of dextran 2 days before the experiment. Four groups of two birds received the above treatment regimens but no bacterial challenge. In iron dextran treated birds, oral challenge resulted in faecal shedding for the 10 day duration of the experiment, whereas in those birds which received dextran or desferrioxamine alone, the duration of faecal shedding was significantly less. Serological titres to the lipopolysaccharide antigen of the challenge bacteria were also lower in the groups not pretreated with iron dextran. The birds pretreated with iron dextran had diarrhoea and were clinically unwell 2 days following the initial oral challenge. Birds not given iron dextran showed no clinical signs of disease. Histological examination of five selected areas in the liver, spleen and intestine of each bird indicated that birds in the groups treated with iron dextran prior to bacterial challenge had significantly more intestinal lesions than birds in the groups not treated with iron. In contrast, there were significantly more lesions in the spleens of birds not pretreated with iron dextran. There was no evidence of stainable iron in the livers of birds challenged with Y pseudotuberculosis 10 days after an injection of 10 mg of iron dextran. This is in contrast to birds given iron dextran and no bacteria. It was concluded that pretreatment of birds with iron dextran resulted in more severe clinical disease, prolonged faecal shedding with associated intestinal lesions and higher serological titres to bacterial antigen. The number of lesions in the spleen and liver was not necessarily correlated with the severity of clinical disease, and in all infected birds the hepatic iron levels were significantly lower than in the non-infected control birds 10 days after oral challenge. It seems probable that the chicken has a high requirement for iron during infection with Y pseudotuberculosis and mobilises stored and exogenously supplied iron for tissue repair and immunological function.     

Transfer of humoral and cell-mediated immunity via colostrum in pigs

The first aim of our study was to obtain information on the transmission of antigen-specific antibodies from colostrum to respiratory tract mucosa in piglets. The second aim was to confirm the biological relevance of the presence of lymphocytes in colostrum and the already described fact that these cells can penetrate the intestinal barrier and "colonize" peripheral blood and lymphatic tissues of piglets. Therefore, we performed an experiment in which sows were immunized with a model antigen Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin and their piglets were euthanized at different intervals after birth and colostrum intake. Colostrum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood samples were collected for serological detection of antigen-specific antibodies. Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood and lymphatic tissues (mesenteric and tracheobronchial lymph nodes and spleen) of piglets were in vitro activated with the antigen. We found that colostrum-derived antibodies can cross into the respiratory tract mucosa. Furthermore, we found that antigen-specific lymphocytes were detectable in mesenteric lymph nodes and peripheral blood, but very rarely in spleen and tracheobronchial lymph nodes.     

EVALUATION OF ORAL IRON GALACTAN AS A METHOD OF IRON SUPPLEMENTATION FOR INTENSIVELY HOUSED SUCKING PIGLETS

SUMMARY Iron supplementation of piglets with oral galactan given as a single dose within 24 hours of birth was evaluated in a series of on farm trials. The growth rate of piglets receiving this treatment was faster than that of piglets receiving single injections of iron dextran or iron galactan at 3 days of age, or ferrous sulphate crystals orally at weekly intervals. Mean values for red cell parameters of oral iron galactan supplemented piglets at 2 to 4 weeks of age were lower than those of injected piglets but there was no clinical evidence of anaemia in any of the piglets.     

新生仔猪肝脏发育的肝细胞生化分析

选择新生仔猪15头，分别于出生当日(0 d)、出生后3d及7d屠宰取样，制作肝脏电镜切片进行组织学分析，并测定肝脏中DNA、RNA含量及常规生化指标。结果显示：新生仔猪肝细胞中内质网、线粒体等细胞器都很丰富，而且各细胞器的结构已经发育成熟。肝脏质量在仔猪出生后1周尤其是3d内迅速增加(P＜O．01)，远远快于体重增加的速度。仔猪肝脏的蛋白质含量在生后1周也迅速增加(P＜O．01)；而肝糖原贮备在刚出生时较高，出生后迅速下降(P＜O．01)。仔猪出生后肝脏中DNA和RNA浓度的变化趋势正好相反，前者在出生后3d内明显下降(P＜O．05)，4～7d又有增加趋势，而RNA浓度以3d为最高。试验结果表明，仔猪到出生时肝细胞的结构和功能基本发育成熟。仔猪出生以后，肝脏的生长发育十分迅速，不仅肝细胞的数量快速增加，肝细胞的体积也不断增大。     

铁过量或缺乏对新生仔猪血清生化指标及肝脏hepcidin mRNA表达量的影响

本试验旨在研究铁过量或缺乏对新生仔猪血清生化指标及肝脏hepcidin mRNA表达量的影响.挑选新出生的“杜长大”三元杂交仔猪15头[平均体重为(1.22±0.13)kg],随机分为3组,即缺铁组、正常组和铁过量组,每组5个重复,每个重复1头猪.3和7日龄时,缺铁组分别注射1 mL生理盐水,正常组分别注射1 mL右旋糖酐铁(含铁150 mg),铁过量组分别注射3 mL右旋糖酐铁(含铁450 mg).7日龄时,将所有仔猪全部处死,采集血清,并分离肝脏和脾脏,以测定血清生化指标、机体铁含量和肝脏hepcidin mRNA表达量.结果表明:肝脏、脾脏和血清中铁的含量均随着注射铁量的增加而显著或极显著增加(P ＜0.05或P＜0.01).与正常组相比,铁过量组血清中血红蛋白、球蛋白、总蛋白、丙二醛含量以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、过氧化物酶活性显著或极显著升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),超氧化物歧化酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05);而缺铁组血清中血红蛋白、球蛋白、总蛋白、丙二醛含量以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶活性则显著或极显著降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),超氧化物歧化酶活性显著升高(P＜0.05).与正常组相比,铁过量组仔猪肝脏中hepcidin mRNA表达量极显著升高(P＜0.01),而缺铁组则极显著降低(P＜0.01).由此得出,铁过量或缺乏均会影响新生仔猪机体的免疫功能和抗氧化功能;铁过量可提高新生仔猪机体铁含量和肝脏中hepcidin mRNA表达量,铁缺乏则会降低新生仔猪机体铁含量和肝脏中hepcidin mRNA表达量.     

Comparison of the efficacy of two different iron supplements for anemia prevention in piglets

In a randomized, confirmatory study performed between July and October 2000 the efficacy of two iron products in preventing iron deficiency anaemia was compared. A total of 102 newborn piglets from ten litters were treated intramuscularly with 200 mg iron as iron dextran per ml, or 200 mg iron as gleptoferron per ml. For true comparison, piglets within a litter of a sow were subdivided into pairs on the basis of birth weight (one pair of the two heaviest piglets, et cetera). Within a pair, treatment with the iron supplements was randomly allocated. One group of piglets was injected at an age of 1 day (experiment 1) and the other group of piglets was injected at an age of 3 days (experiment 2). The piglets were weighed and blood samples were taken at an age of 18 days (experiment 1) or at an age of 19 days (experiment 2). Average daily weight gain and haemoglobin concentrations of both treatment groups were compared. Both products were very effective in preventing anaemia. No significant differences could be found between the two formulations. It can be concluded that iron-dextran and gleptoferron can be used with similar effect for anaemia prevention in piglets.     

IL1RN基因在晋汾白猪仔猪和新山西黑猪仔猪不同组织和细胞中的表达特征分析

白细胞介素1受体拮抗剂（interleukin 1 receptor antagonist,IL1RN）是一种重要的宿主免疫调节因子,是天然存在的IL-1拮抗剂。为了解IL1RN基因在断奶仔猪不同组织和细胞中表达的特征,利用Trizol法提取晋汾白猪仔猪和新山西黑猪仔猪的心脏、肝脏、脾脏、淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞等18种组织和细胞的总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法检测IL1RN基因在不同组织和细胞中的表达情况,应用SPSS 19.0软件分析IL1RN基因在晋汾白猪仔猪和新山西黑猪仔猪4种免疫组织和细胞（脾脏、淋巴结、巨噬细胞、白细胞）中的表达差异情况。结果显示：IL1RN基因在晋汾白猪仔猪和新山西黑猪仔猪的脂肪组织中均不表达,在其余各组织和细胞中均表达;IL1RN基因在晋汾白猪仔猪的巨噬细胞与淋巴结、脾脏、白细胞之间的表达差异极显著（P<0.01）,且在淋巴结与脾脏、白细胞之间的表达差异极显著（P<0.01）;IL1RN基因在新山西黑猪仔猪的脾脏、淋巴结、巨噬细胞、白细胞的表达两两之间均呈极显著差异（P<0.01）;IL1RN基因在2个猪种的脾脏、巨噬细胞、白细胞之间的表达呈极显著差异（P<0.01）,在淋巴结中的表达呈显著差异（P<0.05）。该研究结果为进一步揭示2个猪种的IL1RN基因在疾病抵抗方面的作用及相关机制提供了依据。     

Tissue Expression Profile and Differential Expression of LTβR Gene in Sutai Piglets of Different Ages

Dynamic changes of LTβR expression levels in 11 tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, muscle, thymus, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum) of Sutai piglets ranging from newborn to post-weaning days 8, 18, 30, and 35 were compared and analyzed by the Real-time PCR method, which aimed to provide theoretical basis for further investigate the relationship between LTβR gene and pathogenicity of E.coli F18.The results revealed that the LTβR expression levels were higher in the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, lymph node, duodenum and jejunum, and showed obvious age-dependent expression differentiation.The LTβR expression levels in the lymph node, duodenum, and jejunum were extremely significant higher in 8 days old piglets than in the other age stages (P<0.01), and the expression levels were extremely significantly higher in the lungs of 8 days old piglets than in 35 days old piglets (P<0.01) and significantly higher than 30 days old piglets (P<0.05).In the liver tissue, the expression level was extremely significant higher in 35 days old piglets than in other age stages (P<0.01).In the stomach tissue, the expression level was significantly higher in 35 days old piglets than in 18 days old piglets (P<0.05).The results speculated that intestinal immune barrier of piglets formed rapidly around 8 days old and the higher LTβR expression could contribute to the resistance to E.coli F18.     

不同日龄苏太仔猪LTβR基因组织表达谱及发育性表达规律分析

试验旨在探讨LTβR基因在仔猪出生至断奶期间的mRNA表达变化,为进一步研究该基因与F18大肠杆菌致病的相关性提供理论依据。本试验选取从初生到断奶的4个日龄(8、18、30和35日龄)苏太仔猪各4头,利用实时荧光定量PCR方法分别比较分析了LTβR基因在各个体11个组织(心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、胃、肌肉、胸腺、淋巴结、十二指肠及空肠)间的表达规律。结果表明,LTβR基因在肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、胃、淋巴结、十二指肠及空肠组织中呈现较高水平的表达,并且表现出明显的发育性表达差异。LTβR基因在8日龄仔猪淋巴、十二指肠和空肠组织中的表达极显著高于其他日龄(P<0.01);在8日龄仔猪肺脏组织中的表达极显著高于35日龄(P<0.01),且显著高于30日龄(P<0.05);在35日龄仔猪肝脏组织中的表达极显著高于其他日龄(P<0.01);在35日龄仔猪胃组织中的表达显著高于18日龄(P<0.05)。由此推测,8日龄左右为仔猪肠道免疫屏障快速形成期,LTβR基因的较高表达可能有利于仔猪对F18大肠杆菌抗性。     

Comparison effects of dietary iron dextran and bacterial‐iron supplementation on growth performance,fecal microbial flora,and blood profiles in sows and their litters

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial‐iron; bacterial‐iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P < 0.05) on days 12 and 24. Furthermore, concentration of white blood cells in BR treatment was lower (P < 0.05) on day 12. However, the percentage of lymphocytes on day 12 was increased (P < 0.05) in BR treatment. In conclusion, effect of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron has no difference on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets, but iron dextran injection has higher blood iron, white blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in piglets.     

Multiplication of low and high cell culture passaged strains of transmissible gastroenteritis virus in organs of newborn piglets

Distribution and persistence of four different strains of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus in newborn piglets were compared.The piglets inoculated with high-passaged TO-163 strain did not show any clinical signs of TGE on any days postinoculation (DPI), but the piglets inoculated with one of the other three strains, SH-14, SH-164 or TO-16, had soft feces or diarrhea. In the latter cases, the virus was isolated mainly from respiratory organs, lymph nodes, and digestive tract on any DPI, but was rarely detected in the digestive tract of piglets inoculated with the TO-163 strain. The frequency of virus recovery from the tissues was the highest till 4 DPI in all of the piglets inoculated with one of the four virus strains, and it was markedly reduced thereafter in the piglets inoculated with high-passaged strains.The TO-163 strain was subjected to serial passage in newborn piglets for seven passages. There was no evidence of regained pathogenicity with advance in passage, and detection of virus was restricted to lymph nodes and lung of these piglets.In gnotobiotic piglets inoculated with the TO-163 strain, frequent virus recovery and high titers of virus from the tissues were obtained on up to the 4th DPI. The viruses in high titer were found in the digestive tract of some of the piglets; however, none of them showed any clinical signs of TGE.     

Quantitative and morphological studies on the influence of zinc deficiency on the liver of pregnant rats

The effect of zinc deficiency on trace metals in the liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas and duodenum was investigated in the control and zinc-deficient rats at 17 days and 20 days of pregnancy. Zinc-deficient rats fell into limosis after 5 days of pregnancy. The contents of zinc, iron, copper and manganese in the maternal tissues were measured by colorimetry with 5NPPF. The morphological changes of the liver were observed by light and electron microscopy. The contents of zinc in the pancreas and duodenum were less in the zinc-deficient group than in the control at both 17 days and 20 days of pregnancy. The contents of the copper and manganese in the liver, kidney, pancreas, duodenum and spleen, however, were not significantly different from the control. The contents of iron in the liver, spleen and kidney in the deficient group increased greatly at 17 days and 20 days of pregnancy compared with the control group. The combination rate of transferrin with iron also increased significantly in the deficient group. Staining with Berlin blue or Turnbull's blue showed intense reaction to iron around the interlobular connective tissue of the liver in the zinc deficient group at 20 days of pregnancy. Ultrastructurally, the liver of the zinc-deficient rats showed the decrease of glycogen granules and increase of lipid-like granules and lysosomes with various sizes and electron densities. These findings suggest that zinc deficiency causes the increase of iron contents in the various organs during pregnancy, and that there is an intimate interrelationship between zinc and iron in the metabolism of iron during pregnancy.     

猪瘟病毒感染致外周免疫器官损伤的病理组织学观察

将10头28日龄健康仔猪随机分成2组,其中感染组8头,对照组2头。感染组按1 mL/头颈部肌注猪瘟病毒(CSFV)石门株血毒(104TCID50/mL)进行人工感染,对照组不做任何处理。2 d后感染组仔猪体温升至40~41.5℃,稽留不退,而对照组体温正常。采集体温升高的仔猪扁桃体,运用RT-PCR方法检测,结果CSFV均为阳性,表明人工感染CSFV成功。分别于感染后4,7 d剖杀感染组和对照组仔猪各1头,剖解后观察各器官大体病变并采集脾脏和淋巴结等外周免疫器官制作石蜡切片,观察病理组织学变化;其余感染组仔猪分别于感染后13,16(2头),19,23,31 d自然死亡,死亡后按剖杀猪方法同样处理。组织学观察显示:随着病情的发展,感染组仔猪的脾脏和淋巴结的淋巴滤泡逐渐发生萎缩、甚至消失,脾脏的动脉周围淋巴鞘、淋巴结的副皮质区细胞亦逐渐减少坏死,即造成了T、B淋巴细胞的渐进性减少,而对照组无异常变化。结果表明:CSFV感染仔猪后,可引起脾脏淋巴结的淋巴细胞渐进性变性与坏死,造成免疫损伤。     

Development of the B- and T-cell compartments in porcine lymphoid organs from birth to adult life: an immunohistological approach.

Using immunohistological techniques, we studied the development over time of B- and T-cell compartments in the lymphoid organs of specific-pathogen-free pigs. Tissue samples were collected at various time-points, starting 2 days before the pigs were born until the pigs were 10 months old. The samples were collected from the spleen, thymus, peripheral lymph node, mesenteric lymph node, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, jejunal Peyer's patch and ileal Peyer's patch. Monoclonal antibodies specific to B- and T-cells were used to identify where the following cells were localized: IgM-B cells (cells positive to surface immunoglobulin), IgM-, IgG- and IgA-containing cells (cells positive to cytoplasmic immunoglobulin), and CD2-, CD4- and CD8-positive cells. The development of the B- and T-cell subpopulations in each organ was analysed. Two days before birth, most organs contained quantities of IgM-B cells. The spleen, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches and, notably, the thymus, contained some immunoglobulin-containing cells (Ig-CC); this finding indicates that pigs have cells that secrete immunoglobulins before birth. Just after birth, the incidence of Ig-CC increased in most organs; first IgM-CC increased, then either IgG- or IgA-CC increased, depending on the organ. T-cell development was observed clearly in spleen and in the lamina propria of the small intestine, in contrast to other organs, in which the T-cell compartments containing various T-cell subpopulations were well developed before birth. Comparison of the incidence of CD4+ and CD8+ cells showed that the CD4:CD8 ratio of these cells in the spleen, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches and small intestine is low, especially in adult pigs, compared with the CD4:CD8 ratio in other species. Weaning had little influence on the incidence of B- and T-cells in lymphoid organs. This study is the first immunohistological survey to describe the development of the major B- and T-cell subpopulations in various lymphoid organs of pigs, and it should be useful for future immunopathological and comparative immunological studies in pigs.     

Multiplication of attenuated and virulent porcine parvoviruses in colostrum-deprived, neonatal pigs

Colostrum-deprived, neonatal, 2 days old pigs were inoculated with the attenuated HT-/SK or the virulent 90HS strain of porcine parvovirus (PPV) by the oral or subcutaneous route and sacrificed 2, 4 or 6 days after inoculation. Then, comparison was made on viral multiplication in pigs between the two strains. Pigs inoculated with the HT-/SK strain showed no detectable viremia or HI antibody responses against PPV within 6 days after inoculation. Only in pigs inoculated by the subcutaneous route, a small amount of virus was recovered from the spleen, liver, or mesenteric lymph nodes. These viruses were distinguished from the parental virulent 90HS strain, as examined for rct maker in vitro. When pigs were inoculated with the virulent 90HS strain, viremia appeared in all of them 1 day after inoculation and continued for up to the sacrificed day. Moreover, a considerable amount of virus was also detected from all tissues, including brain, lung, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and lymph node tissues, in all pigs tested. HI antibodies were first detected 6 days after inoculation.     

Timing and causes of piglet mortality in alternative and conventional farrowing systems

The causes and timing of piglet mortality were studied in different farrowing systems. In the first experiment 198 litters were recorded in three systems, two of which allowed the sows to move freely, and the third restricted them in conventional crates. More piglets were weaned from the conventional crates than from the open systems and they grew more quickly. More than half the liveborn mortality occurred during the first four days after parturition. In the open systems, 17 per cent and 14 per cent of the piglets born alive were crushed, compared with only 8 per cent in the crates. In the second experiment, 29 sows and litters were studied in detail in a communal pen system during the first seven days of lactation. Three-quarters of the liveborn mortality was due to crushing. The total number of piglets dying per litter, including stillbirths, was significantly associated with the total litter size and the sow's parity. The percentage liveborn mortality was significantly associated with the parity and body length of the sows and with the within-litter variation in the birth weight of the piglets. Individual birth weight was closely associated with percentage survival. Only 28 per cent of piglets weighing less than 1.1 kg at birth survived to seven days.     

Change of porcine circovirus 2 target cells in pigs during development from fetal to early postnatal life

Change of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) target cells during development from fetal to postnatal life in pigs was examined. PCV2 inoculation was performed in fetuses in utero at either 57, 75 or 92 gestational days and in piglets at 1 day of age. Twenty-one days after virus inoculation, PCV2-infected cells in the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and inguinal lymph nodes were localized and immuno-phenotyped by double-immunofluorescence labeling using different cell markers and PCV2-antibodies. During fetal life, viral antigens were detected in cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes and macrophages and infected cell numbers decreased with increasing fetal age at inoculation. The heart contained the highest number of infected cells and cardiomyocytes were the main target cell. Postnatally, macrophages were the only target cell type in different organs and infected cell numbers were similar to those of fetuses inoculated at 92 days of gestation. One piglet showed exceptionally high number of infected cells in different organs with values 13-513-fold higher compared to littermates. In this piglet, the majority of infected cells in lymphoid tissues could not be typed. This study reveals that PCV2 target cells change from cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes and macrophages during fetal life to only macrophages postnatally.     

Behavior of blood glucose in piglets up to the 10th day of life with reference to colostrum consumption and birth mass

The following results were obtained from studies into the behaviour of blood glucose in 439 piglets: -The first experimental group included 48 piglets exposed to follow-up checks in the first ten days of age. Glucose values prior to the first intake of foremilk were higher than those measured afterwards in ten animals (20.8 per cent). The second experimental group included 391 piglets tested under production conditions, and a result identical to the one above was recorded from 48 animals (12.3 per cent). The conclusion is that rise of blood glucose does not take place in all piglets after the first intake of foremilk. -Blood glucose concentrations were found to go up discontinuously up to the tenth day of age, depending on birth weight and feed intake as well as on glycolytical and gluconeogenetical capacities. -Average glucose values between 50.23 and 67.37 mg/100 ml plasma were recorded from newborn piglets prior to first foremilk intake in four groups differentiated by weights a birth between 800 g and 2,200 g. A relationship was statistically secured between blood glucose concentration and birth weight of newborn piglets. The correlation factor appeared to depend on the weight at birth.