The Influence of Colostrum on Antibody Response in Baby Pigs

Abstract

Comparisons have been made between the antibody response to non-living antigens in baby pigs deprived of colostrum, baby pigs receiving normal (“non-immune”) colostrum and pigs receiving “immune” colostrum.Baby pigs under 8 weeks of age deprived of colostrum did not produce a measurable serologic response to the antigens used.Baby pigs that received normal (“non-immune”) colostrum responded to antigens when inoculated at 3 weeks of age. This response increased markedly to 6 weeks of age.Passive transfer of antibodies through “immune” colostrum interfered with active antibody production between 3 and 6 weeks of age.The inoculation of ovine RBC produced a response which differed in some respects from the antigen-antibody reactions studied. Part of this appears to be associated with intrauterine sensitization to this complex antigen.Anaphylactic shock resulted from both active and passive (effected through “immune” colostrum) sensitization.