Haematology and serum biochemistry of F₁ and F₂ pigs produced by ASF- recovered pigs

Abstract

The blood contains a myriad of metabolites and other constituents which provide a valuable medium for clinical investigation and nutritional status of human beings and animals. Data on haematological  parameters and serum metabolites generated from F₁ (52) and F₂ (60) pigs farrowed by eight sows and two boars, (Four Large White sows, two Large Black sows, two Duroc sows, one Large White boar and one NigerHyb boar which are survivors of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in a farm in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 2005) were evaluated. From these fifty-two pigs were generated in the F and sixty pigs in the F₂ generation. Data obtained were subjected to  General Linear Model (GLM) procedure. The serological test for determining the presence of ASF antibody showed that all the ASF recovered pigs tested positive, the Large White had more of ASF antibody compared with the other two breeds while 18.79 % of the F₁ and 6.25 % of the F₂ pigs tested positive. Genotype did not  have significant effects (P > 0.05) on the blood parameters considered except on monocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophils among the ₁ . Among the F₂ , genotype effect was significant (P < 0.05) on lymphocytes only. Sex had significant effect on globulin, monocytes and eosinophils among F₁ pigs while among F₂ the effect was significant  on creatinine and urea. ASF- infected herd showed significant variation in different types of white blood cell compared to other blood parameters.

Key words: Pigs, ASF, haematological parameters and serum metabolites