[The effect of pregnancy order on various biochemical and hematological values in sows]

The following blood indices were determined in the blood of 34 pregnant sows of the Large White breed under standard feeding conditions: haemoglobin, haematocrit, leucocytes, and--in the blood serum, --total protein, glucose, urea, bilirubin, cholesterol, enzyme activity (AP, GOT, GPT, GGTP) and mineral concentrations (Ca, P--inorg., Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn). The blood was sampled in the first and third pregnancy at an average live weight of 165.12 and 197.36 kg, at an average age of 318 and 630 days and at an about the same average length of pregnancy in the time of both samplings (59 days). In younger, still growing gilts (first pregnancy) a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower content of total protein, magnesium, iron and copper was revealed, as compared with adult sows. The content of glucose, calcium, potassium and manganese in the blood serum of the gilts was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than in sows in their third pregnancy. The adult sows showed a significantly (P less than 0.05) lowered activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, as distinct from gilts.