The Impact of Suckling and Post-weaning Period on Blood Chemistry of Piglets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of dietary changes during the suckling and post-weaning period on selected haematological, immunological and metabolic indices as well as the macro- and micro-mineral and antioxidant status of piglets. Twelve Large White piglets were kept according to the standards of pig rearing used in Slovakia until the end of the post-weaning period. Blood samples were taken from the piglets at the age of 30 days (the end of the suckling period) and 2 months (the end of the post-weaning period). At the end of the post-weaning period higher indices were found for RBC ( P < 0.01), Hb ( P < 0.01), WBC ( P < 0.05), total Ig ( P < 0.05), AST ( P < 0.01), urea ( P < 0.01), Se ( P < 0.05), GSH-Px ( P < 0.001), -SH groups ( P < 0.01) and lower indices of albumin ( P < 0.05), ALP ( P < 0.001), LDH ( P < 0.01), pancreatic amylase ( P < 0.01), total lipids ( P < 0.01), glucose ( P < 0.01), total cholesterol ( P < 0.01), bilirubin ( P < 0.001), Ca ( P < 0.01), SOD ( P < 0.01), MDA ( P < 0.01), vitamin A ( P < 0.05), and vitamin E ( P < 0.05) as compared to the end of suckling period. These results indicate that the dietary changes during suckling and post-weaning periods affected the majority of observed blood indices in piglets.