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Changes in Hematology of the Perinatal Pig¹

University of Hawaii, Honolulu

Abstract

Thirty-two fetuses and 32 new-born pigs were used to map the changes in blood cell population, serum proteins, and the levels of glucose, calcium and chloride in the blood of the perinatal pig. Fetuses were obtained by hysterectomy from each of two sows at 98, 102, 106 and 110 days after breeding. Blood samples were taken by heart puncture from 2 boars and 2 gilts in each litter. Eight other litters were used to supply one pig each at 3, 48, 96 or 144 hr. after birth. Erythrocyte count, hematocrit, white cell count, differential white cell count, cell sedimentation rate, blood glucose, calcium, hemoglobin, chloride and serum proteins were measured.

Erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin were quite low in concentration until the 110th day of fetal age. Blood levels of these constituents were highest at 3 hr. after birth and then dropped before the pig reached 2 days of age but remained higher than in the fetal pig. The albumin, beta globulin and gamma globulin fractions of the serum protein increased in concentration between the 110th day of gestation and 3 hr. after birth. Gamma globulin increased more than 10 times in concentration by the second day after birth and following the intake of colostrum. Alpha globulin level failed to show these distinct patterns of change in concentration. A major portion of serum protein was alpha globulin in the fetal pig.

Leucocyte concentration increased after 110 days gestation and this increase appears to be largely due to increased numbers of segmented neutrophils although some increase occurred in total numbers of monocytes, lymphocytes and banded neutrophils. Sedimentation rate was zero until after birth, and then showed a linear increase in rate until pigs were 6 days of age.

¹ Journal Series No. 1018 of the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Department of Veterinary Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg.