Performance of piglets according to colostrum intake and serum immunoglobulin concentration determined by the immunocrit method

ABSTRACT: Colostrum is the main source of immunoglobulins for piglets and several studies have shown that colostrum intake by piglets have a significant influence on their immunity as well as their future performance. The aim of this study was to ascertain the correlation between colostrum intake in the first 24 hours and the serum immunoglobulin concentration determined by immunocrit (IR), determine if the birth order of piglets interfered in colostrum intake and the IR, and measure their weight gain up to 42 days of age. One hundred and three piglets were included in the study and divided into two groups according to colostrum intake in the first 24 hours: > 230 g and <230 g. Piglets with an intake of (230 g colostrum at birth had a mean weight of 1.412 ± 0.156 kg (mean ± SEM) while animals with a colostrum intake <230 g weighed 1.317 ± 0.162 kg (P>0.05). The mean IR between colostrum intake groups was 0.075 (<230 g) and 0.096 ((230 g) (p<0.05). The IR differed between the order of birth of the piglets; where piglets born up to ≤7 had an IR=0.096 while those born from >7 presented with an IR=0.079 (p<0.05). Piglets that consumed more colostrum (>230 g) in the first 24 hours after birth had a greater immunocrit and greater weight gain from 7 to 42 days of age (p<0.05). We concluded that the order of birth does not affect the colostrum intake, but the IR has a negative correlation (CORR= -0.3101; p<0,05) with the order of birth. Piglets with intake of more than 230 g of colostrum show greater weight gain up to 42 days of age.