Effects of husbandry and low-dose lipopolysaccharide challenge on the acute phase response of young pigs

Abstract

The objectives of this project were to investigate: • the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and major porcine acute phase proteins during the first week of life of pigs; and the effect of the mentioned husbandry practices on possible age-related changes in these immunomodulators. • the effect of two methods of teeth resection and leaving the teeth intact of the skin temperature of piglets; and the impact of these teeth resection alternatives on the acute phase protein response after resection and at weaning. • the behavioural and physiological reactions of 5-day-old piglets after surgical castration. • the acute phase response elicited by low-dose LPS challenge, establishing the time-response of cytokines and acute phase proteins in both the plasma and saliva of pigs; and possible gender differences in the acute phase response in the early postweaning period. • the effect of surgical castration of 5-day-old pigs on subsequent behavioural, endocrine and immune responses elicited by low-dose LPS challenge in pigs after weaning.