title: Effect of breast feeding time on physiological, immunological and microbial parameters of weaned piglets in an intensive breeding farm.
abstract: The aim of this work was to study the long-lasting consequences of different weaning age on physiological, immunological and microbiological parameters of weaned piglets. Piglets were weaned at 14 days (14W) or 21 days (21W). Blood samples were taken for IgG and cortisol determination on preweaning day and at 4; 20 and 40 post-weaning days. Three animals of each group were sacrificed. Small intestines for morphometric studies and secretory-IgA determination in fluid were taken. The cecum was obtained for enterobacteria, lactobacilli and total anaerobes enumeration. A significant decrease in piglet's plasma IgG concentrations was observed immediately after weaning and no differences were found between 14W and 21W. An increase in intestinal S-IgA was observed according to piglet's age. This increase was significantly higher in piglets 14W compared to piglets 21W. Animals from 14W group showed a decrease in villus length and in the number of goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Other parameters were not affected by the weaning age. A short-term increase in cortisol was observed after weaning in both experimental groups. Enterobacteria decreased significantly after weaning in both groups, reaching values of weaning after 40 days. Lactobacilli counts decreased in both groups after weaning; however their counts were always higher than those obtained for enterobacteria. No differences were observed between 14W and 21W with regards to counts of anaerobes. The shortening of breast feeding time would favor an early synthesis of intestinal S-IgA after weaning. The changes observed in the microbiota could decrease postweaning enteric infections. However, early weaning induced negative effects on the cells of gut innate immunity and villi atrophy. This work provides knowledge about advantages and disadvantages at different weaning and long-lasting consequences on pig health. It is critical that swine producers become aware of the biological impacts of weaning age, so as to be able to decide the appropriate management strategies according to their facilities and rearing environment.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Argentina; Member of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Argentina.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Argentina; Member of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Argentina. Electronic address: cdogi@exa.unrc.edu.ar.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dogi
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología Animal, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36km, 601, 5800 Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Ashworth
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología Animal, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36km, 601, 5800 Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berardo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología Animal, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36km, 601, 5800 Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Argentina; Member of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Argentina.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Cavaglieri
authors.affiliation: Member of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Argentina; Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA), Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Moreno de LeBlanc
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Argentina.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002432:Cecum / Q000382:microbiology; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000072480:Farms; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Gut ecosystem; Immunoglobulins; Intensive breeding farm; Piglets; Weaning age