<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The immune system of neonate piglets differs from adult pigs in structure and competence. Although piglets are born immunocompetent, they are genuinely immunologically defenseless. To survive in the environment, piglets need passive protection provided by sow’s colostrum and milk when constantly exposed to numerous pathogens. Early assessment of piglets’ immune status may enable rapid intervention in case of detection of any deficiencies or disorders. Moreover, awareness of the piglets’ immunocompetence and the level of maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) may allow the creation of a proper vaccine schedule. Hence, extending knowledge of prenatal ontogeny of the porcine immune system, the immune status of neonate piglets’ and the immunological components of porcine colostrum is crucial. Since animal welfare has become a more critical element of animal production, new, non-invasive sampling methodologies are highly desirable for the evaluation of piglets’ immune status.</p>
</abstract>

The immune system of neonate piglets differs from adult pigs in structure and competence. Although piglets are born immunocompetent, they are genuinely immunologically defenseless. To survive in the environment, piglets need passive protection provided by sow’s colostrum and milk when constantly exposed to numerous pathogens. Early assessment of piglets’ immune status may enable rapid intervention in case of detection of any deficiencies or disorders. Moreover, awareness of the piglets’ immunocompetence and the level of maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) may allow the creation of a proper vaccine schedule. Hence, extending knowledge of prenatal ontogeny of the porcine immune system, the immune status of neonate piglets’ and the immunological components of porcine colostrum is crucial. Since animal welfare has become a more critical element of animal production, new, non-invasive sampling methodologies are highly desirable for the evaluation of piglets’ immune status.

Immune status of piglets during the first week of life: Current knowledge, significance and assessment – a review

Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases

Department of Internal Diseases and Diagnostics

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The immune system of neonate piglets differs from adult pigs in structure and competence. Although piglets are born immunocompetent, they are genuinely...

Immune status of piglets during the first week of life: Current knowledge, significance and assessment – a review

Published Online: May 03, 2023

Page range: 391 - 403

Received: Jul 15, 2022

Accepted: Oct 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0079

Keywords
neonate, piglets, immune status

© 2023 Agata Augustyniak et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Immune status of piglets during the first week of life: Current knowledge, significance and assessment – a review

Published Online: May 03, 2023

Page range: 391 - 403

Received: Jul 15, 2022

Accepted: Oct 21, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0079

Keywordsneonate, piglets, immune status

© 2023 Agata Augustyniak et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
neonate, piglets, immune status