Immunological reactions of pigs during long-term beta-adrenergic treatment

Experiments were performed to determine the effects of the beta-adrenergic agonist Ro 16-8714 on the immune system of finishing pigs fed an adequate or a low-protein diet. Growth rate, nitrogen and fat retention, body composition as well as spleen weight were influenced by both beta-agonist and/or protein level, as expected. However, lymphocyte stimulation with Concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinine in vitro or in vivo antibody production against horse red blood cells were not changed by the beta-agonist in pigs fed sufficient or insufficient amounts of protein.