Absorption of orally supplied immunoglobulins in neonatal piglets

Low birth weight piglets have a reduced viability because of a low colostrum immunoglobulin (Ig) and energy intake. Additional supply of energy and Ig may improve their survival and immuno-competence. This study was conducted to determine the absorption of IgG from oral supplements containing IgG from porcine plasma and an additional energy substrate, as compared to IgG absorption from sow colostrum. Sixty newborn piglets (mean body weight (BW) 1183 g) from eight sows were removed from the dam prior to suckling and allocated to five treatments. Piglets received either 28 g of standardised sows colostrum per kg of BW (control) or one out of four products containing porcine IgG and fats, glycerine, dextrose or a combination of these as additional energy source. After 12 h of fasting in which only drinking water was supplied, plasma IgG content was determined and efficiency of IgG absorption calculated as total plasma IgG divided by ingested IgG. Treatment means of plasma IgG varied from 1.8 to 7.3 mg/mL (P < 0.001), being 6.8 mg/mL for control piglets. Relative efficiency of absorption varied from 0.05 to 0.28 (P < 0.001), being 0.20 for control piglets. These results indicate that the energy component of the supplements had a major influence on the IgG absorption. IgG absorption from products based on dextrose, medium chain and vegetable long chain triglycerides was similar or higher than IgG absorption from sow colostrum, thus allowing perspective for the development of supplements to improve viability of neonatal piglets.