Publication Date

7-1985

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Gordon Jones, James Skean

Degree Program

Department of Agriculture

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to study the antibody response of pigs challenged with the general antigen sheep red blood cells (SRBC).

In one experiment SRBC's were injected at one of four sties: intramuscularly into the neck, intramuscularly into the ham, subcutaneously into the fore flank or rear flank. These treatments were repeated four weeks later. The antibody responses to the four treatments were determined by microtiter and analyzed statistically. No significant (P> 0. 10) differences were found among responses to the four treatments during the fourth and eighth weeks after injections, but a significant (P<0.05) difference was found during the fifth week among all four groups. Coefficients of correlation showed highly significant (P<.0.01) relationships between SRBC antibody titer during the fourth week after injections and increase in weight of test animals from the beginning of the study until slaughter.

In a second experiment pigs were given intramuscularly either 2 milliliters of a 5% or 4 milliliters of a 10% SRBC suspension to determine the optimum dosage level. The difference between the antibody responses to these two treatments was not significant (P)0.10).

Results of this study indicate that when challenging hogs with SRBC, any of the commonly used sites for injection is acceptable. The injection of 2 milliliters of a 5% SRBC suspension is sufficient to obtain antibody titers which differentiate among individuals. Coefficients of correlation indicate a relationship may exist between SRBC antibody titer and some economically important traits.

Disciplines

Agriculture | Animal Sciences | Life Sciences | Meat Science

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