Flow cytometric analysis of leucocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood of suckling piglets

In spite of permanent improvement in food animal genetic and rearing conditions, there are still considerable losses in swine production, particularly among piglets during the preweaning period. The greatest losses and poor production parameters were recorded in piglets with low birth weight. The aim of this study is to establish quantitative and qualitative patterns of leucocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of suckling piglets by flow cytometry, in order to reveal differences (if any) between piglets with low birth weight (below 1000 g) and piglets with normal birth weight, as well as kinetics of these cell subsets during preweaning period. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between proportions of lymphocytes and granulocytes occurred in one-day old piglets of low and of normal birth weights. In both groups were significant differences (p < 0.05) between proportion of lymphocytes and granulocytes at day 1 and day 21 of life. During that period proportion of lymphocytes increased but proportion of granulocytes decreased. That refers on maturation of immunity system. In the piglets of normal birth weight there was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between proportions of monocytes at the end of preweaning period as compared to the first day of life, although these values were within the reference range.