Abstract

MEJIA-MEDINA, Julián et al. Evaluation of clinical parameters and lesions in pig organs during post-weaning period. Acta Agron. [online]. 2012, vol.61, n.1, pp.61-68. ISSN 0120-2812.

To evaluate the effect of early weaning on clinical parameters, development and occurrence of lesions in organs of systemic importance, and weight gain in pigs evaluations were carried out. The experiment was conducted in the San Pablo Production Research Center of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Medellín). We used 16 weaned pigs at 21 days of age. The animals were fed for 10 days with a basal diet (milk). Four pigs were slaughtered on days 1, 5, 7 and 10 post-weaning and samples of intestine, stomach, liver, pancreas, heart, lungs, kidneys and spleen were extracted. Congestion, edema, and hemorrhage were the lesions determined; a value according to the degree of presentation was assigned: absent (0), mild (1), mild-moderate (2), moderate-severe (3), severe (4). The animals were weighed on weaning day, and the day of slaughter. Statistical difference (P < 0.01) was found in macroscopic appearance of lesions, organ weight, rectal temperature, and weight gain. On the first day of post-weaning the highest values were observed. On the other hand, the lowest values were observed in the day fifth. However by day 10 after weaning an increase of the injuries was observed. The variable occurrence of diarrhea showed an opposite performance (P < 0.01). Weaning is associated with multiple factors leading to the early inflammatory response and the high incidence of diarrhea during post-weaning period.

Keywords : Diarrheas; fever; pigs; weaning.

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