Acute phase proteins during the reproductive cycle of sows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of selected acute phase proteins - haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in blood serum of sows during different stages of reproductive period. The evaluation was performed in 24 sows of crossbreeds of large white and landrace after 1-5 farrowings. The animals were divided into 4 groups by 6 animals in each group according to certain phases of the reproductive cycle: 1 month before farrowing, 1 week before farrowing, 1 week after farrowing and 1 week after weaning. Blood samples from sows were collected in each group four times at intervals of two weeks. Hp and CRP were determined by the method of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The significantly highest average concentrations of Hp, as well as CRP (P<0.05 and P<0.01), we recorded in sows 1 week after farrowing. Later after farrowing we found a significant decrease in concentrations of the aforementioned indices (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Our results suggest important changes in the concentrations of acute phase proteins during the reproduction period of sows, which may be a consequence of numerous physiological reactions occuring in sows close to the time of parturition.