title: A longitudinal study of the changes in lymphocyte populations and their relationship to plasma cortisol levels in the perinatal sow.
abstract: The total leucocyte count and proportion of lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and IgM-bearing (mu) lymphocytes and plasma cortisol were measured in 6 sows over the peripartum period. From these measurements the total lymphocyte, B and mu lymphocyte and non-mu lymphocyte counts were calculated. There was a significant rise in cortisol on day -1, 0 and 1 relative to parturition and a significant fall in the proportion and absolute count of the lymphocytes on days 0 and 1. There was a significant correlation between both the proportion (P less than 0.02, r = -0.39) and number (P less than 0.02, r = -0.37) of lymphocytes and plasma cortisol. The changes in sow leucocytes over the peripartum period were related to changes in plasma cortisol rather than to parturition. Furthermore, there was no significant change in either the proportion of B and mu lymphocytes or the minor immunoglobulin-bearing subpopulations over the peripartum period.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone