THE NEUTROPHIL:LYMPHOCYTE RATIO IN PIGS FED CORTISOL

Abstract

In young pigs fed cortisol at 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg (kg diet) −1 , the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (N:L) in smears of blood collected on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 increased with increasing cortisol concentration. On day 5, plasma total and dietary cortisol concentrations also were related directly. In controlled situations, an increase in N:L is one indicator of the pig's response to stress. Key words: Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, cortisol, stress indicator, pigs