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Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
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Providing Meaningful Environmental Enrichment and Measuring Saliva Cortisol in Pigs Housed on Slatted Flooring
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Space allowance for gestating sows in pens: behavior and immunity.

J L Salak-Johnson1, A E DeDecker, M J Horsman

  • 1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana 61801, USA. johnso17@illinois.edu

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Neither increased floor space nor individual stalls adequately improved pregnant sow well-being, as behavioral and immune responses indicated stress in all tested environments. Sows adapted to their conditions, but optimal welfare was not achieved.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Sow housing conditions significantly impact animal welfare and physiological responses.
  • Understanding the effects of varying floor space and confinement on pregnant sows is crucial for improving husbandry practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of different floor space allowances and individual stalls on the behavior, immune function, and cortisol levels of pregnant sows.
  • To determine if current housing standards provide adequate space for optimal sow well-being.

Main Methods:

  • Six replications with 20 sows per group were used, with sows assigned to pens with 1.4, 2.3, or 3.3 m(2) floor space, or individual stalls (1.34 m(2)).
  • Behavioral observations (standing, lying, drinking, oral-nasal-facial behaviors, sham chewing, aggression) and immune trait measurements (neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation) were recorded over two gestations.
  • Cortisol levels were also monitored as a measure of stress.

Main Results:

  • Sows in pens at 2.3 m(2) showed increased oral-nasal-facial (ONF) behaviors and decreased lying time during specific periods. Sows in stalls exhibited more ONF behaviors later in the day.
  • Floor space affected behaviors such as standing, sitting, drinking, ONF, and sham chewing. Increased space in pens (2.3 m(2)) led to more ONF, while less space (1.4 m(2)) resulted in more sham chewing.
  • Immune traits varied: sows in 3.3 m(2) pens had lower neutrophils and higher lymphocytes (reduced neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio), while sows in 1.4 m(2) pens had higher natural killer cell activity but less lymphocyte proliferation. Sows in stalls had a higher neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio than those in pens.

Conclusions:

  • Neither the tested floor space allowances nor the individual stall environment provided adequate space to enhance pregnant sow well-being.
  • Sows exhibited differential behavioral and physiological responses to their specific environments, indicating adaptive mechanisms.
  • Further research is needed to identify housing conditions that genuinely improve sow welfare beyond mere adaptation.