SUMMARY OF TRIAL SET UP:

Location: Belgium

Timing of trial: 2002

Investigator:
Prof. Dr. Goddeeris, KUL, University of Leuven, Belgium

Purpose of evaluation:
Evaluation of response of piglets, supplemented with Alphamune^TM G at 500 g/tonne, on their serum levels of immuno-globulines (humoral immunity) when challenged with an antigen (thyroglobulin)

Allocation of animals:
2 groups of 10 piglets per group. 6 repetitions

Trial period:
nursery period

Feed supplementation allocation:

Administration of antigen and blood sampling:

• Day 0: weaning of piglets
• Day 7: sampling of blood of piglets
• Day 10: first administration of antigen (thyroglobulin) by injection
• Day 14: sampling of blood of piglets
• Day 28: sampling of blood of piglets
• Day 31: second administration of antigen (thyroglobulin) by injection
• Day 35: sampling of blood of piglets

ASSUMED THEORETHICAL EXPECTATION:

As shown in hereunder figure, a primary challenge with an antigen (primary vaccination) should provide a surge in IgM serum levels after about a week and a second antigen challenge (booster dose) should provide again a surge in Ig serum levels.

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT ON IGM:

The serum samples were diluted 100 times and the specific immuno-globulines were measured by ELISA. In hereunder figure 1, the OD (optical density) values are indicated in the Y-axis and the days in the X-axis (d). Optical density is a quantitative measure for the level of immuno-globuline M found in the serum of pigs.

IgM levels expresses the level of primary response to an infection, challenge with an antigen. The level of IgM in the first week after challenge with the antigen is significantly higher for the Alphamune^TM G supplemented group of piglets as compared to the control group of piglets.

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENT ON TOTAL IG:

• The total serum levels of immuno-globulines in pigs challenged with the antigen, is higher for more than two weeks after the first challenge, for the Alphamune^TM G supplemented group of piglets as compared to the control group of piglets

OVERALL CONCLUSIONS

• Pigs continuously supplemented with Alphamune^TM G and first challenged at day 10 with an antigen

  • respond within days after challenge with significantly higher IgM serumlevels compared to untreated pigs

  • respond within days with higher total immunoglobuline serum levels compared to untreated pigs

• From these observations, it could be concluded that pigs supplemented with Alphamune^TM G have a more profound humoral immune-response when challenged with antigens, or in general when facing infections

• Alphamune^TM G gavage well in advance of antigen challenge, may be recommended to provide an elevated humoral immune-response