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Immunity in barren and enriched housed pigs differing in baseline cortisol concentration
J de Groot1, I C de Jong, I T Prelle
1Department of Immunology, Pathobiology and Epidemiology, Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-Lelystad), P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB, Lelystad, Netherlands. j.degroot@id.wag-ur.nl
Physiology & Behavior
|January 11, 2001
Summary
Environmental enrichment in pigs influences cortisol levels and immune responses. While enriched pigs have higher light-period cortisol, immune function remains largely unaffected by housing conditions.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior and physiology
- Immunology
- Environmental enrichment
Background:
- Barren housing in pigs leads to a blunted circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol compared to enriched housing.
- Enriched pigs exhibit higher salivary cortisol during the light period, while both groups show low levels during the dark period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunological consequences of differing baseline salivary cortisol concentrations in pigs based on housing conditions.
- To investigate the impact of environmental enrichment on immune cell distribution and function.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of leukocyte and lymphocyte distributions between barren and enriched housed pigs.
- In vitro lymphocyte proliferation assays using ConcanavalinA (ConA) stimulation in purified lymphocytes and whole blood.
- Assessment of in vivo humoral and cellular immune responses to KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin).
Main Results:
- Leukocyte and lymphocyte distributions were unaffected by housing conditions.
- Differential lymphocyte proliferation responses to ConA were observed in the whole blood assay: higher in barren pigs at day 2, higher in enriched pigs at day 4.
- Lymphocyte proliferation at day 2 correlated negatively with plasma cortisol levels.
- In vivo immune responses (humoral and DTH) to KLH were not affected by housing.
Conclusions:
- Despite differences in baseline salivary cortisol, housing conditions have a limited impact on overall immune function in pigs.
- Specific aspects of lymphocyte proliferation in whole blood assays may be influenced by cortisol levels and housing, but in vivo immunity remains robust.