Haptoglobin serum concentration is a suitable biomarker to assess the efficacy of a feed additive in pigs

Levels of haptoglobin and Pig-major acute phase protein (MAP) were analysed in animals from a commercial herd receiving or not a diet enriched with an additive. The group receiving the additive exhibited a decrease in haptoglobin after 3 weeks, suggesting that a better health status has been established, together with an improvement in total body weight and average daily gain. In contrast, Pig-MAP does not significantly change under these conditions. Aujeszky live modified vaccination, which is compulsory in Spain, did cause a significant increment in haptoglobin serum concentration although it did not affect Pig-MAP The response of acute phase proteins to vaccination was similar in both control and additive-treated groups. Interleukins (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 was below the detection limits in most of the animals. In conclusion, this study shows that haptoglobin serum concentration, but not Pig-MAP, is a good biomarker to monitorize production parameters and for monitoring Aujeszky modified live vaccine in pigs reared under standard commercial conditions.
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Publication
Contributors
Saco Y, Fraile L, Gimenez M, Pato R, Montoya M, Bassols A
Year
2010
Journal
Animal
Volume
4
Issue
9
Pages
1561-1567
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