engleski

Age-related changes of porcine humoral and cellular immune parameters

The sequence of development of porcine systemic and local humoral and cellular immunity was analyzed by age-dependent changes in the serum levels of immunoglobulins (Igs), responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to common mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, PHA ; concanavalin A, ConA ; poke-weed mitogen, PWM) or specific antigen (allogeneic PBL in the mixed lymphocyte culture, MLC), and expression/distribution patterns of their intestinal mucosal immune cell subsets in order to establish basic immune parameters for the assessment of the immunocompetence in clinically normal pigs. Hence, we have surveyed species-related physiological values of these parameters in different age/technological categories comprising infant (suckling and weaned pigs) and adult (gilts, sows, and boars) swine kept under intensive conditions of rearing. The highest level of Igs was determined in nenatal pigs (43.5 ± 4.6 g/L), and this value was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that of weaned pigs (12.1 ± 1.5 g/L). Among adult swine, the highest level of Igs was recorded in sows (32.0 ± 3.1 g/L), and it was much higher (P<0.001) than those found in gilts (25.1 ± 3.5 g/L) or boars (21.2 ± 5.0 g/L). The reactivity of PBL in neonatal pigs was decreased for 60-70% of that recorded in weaned pigs regardless the stimulator applied. The PBL reactivity in neonates was found to be decreased for 87-92% (when PHA was stimulator), 55-61% (ConA), 52-67% (PWM), or 51- 74% (in the MLC) as compared to those recorded in adult swine. Conversely, the reactivity of PBL in weanees, except when PHA was stimulator and induced decreased response for 57-73%, was slightly (for 10-16%) to moderately< higher (for 27-55%) from those established in gilts and boars (when PWM, ConA or allogeneic cells were stimulators), respectively. In adult swine the strongest reactivity of PBL, except to PHA, was determined in the sows. Histomorphometric analyses showed that CD45RA+, CD45RC+ and IgA+ cells in the sections of jejunum and ileum were significantly numerous in weaned pigs (p<0.05) as compared to those recorded in neonatal pigs. The obtained immune parameters for a sample of swine population in Croatia may serve as a basis for further research on porcine systemic and local (intestinal) immune responsiveness regarding: (i) differences among breeds, (ii) influence of paragenetic factors such as rearing technology/management, diet regimes, ambiental and environmental stressors, (iii) impact of diseases of microbial etiology particularly those accompanied with the immunosuppression), and (iv) validation of specific/nonspecifi immunomodulation.

age-dependent; immunoglobulin levels; lymphocyte reactivity; swine

nije evidentirano