科研之友
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摘要
Osteochondrosis (OC) develops at a young age and has been associated with lameness and reduced longevity of sows. Early detection of OC is therefore beneficial for selection against OC. Possibly, immunological components within the blood may serve as an indicator for OC development and could therefore be used as a biomarker. Levels of naturally occurring (auto-) antibodies (N[A]Ab) have been associated with homeostatic imbalance and various forms of inflammation, and may have an association with OC. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between the presence and levels of N(A)Ab of the IgM and IgG isotypes at an early age with OC in growing gilts at slaughter (24 weeks of age). Plasma samples were obtained from 212 Topigs 20 (Dutch Large White x Dutch Landrace) gilts at 6, 10, and 24 weeks of age and analyzed for N(A)Ab titers against 11 (auto-) antigens using ELISA. After slaughter, the elbow, hock, and knee joints were macroscopically examined for OC status. Due to low prevalence of OC in the elbow joint (5.4%), the elbow joint was not taken into account in analyses. Significant (P <= 0.05) associations with OC in both the hock joint and at the animal level (all joints combined) were found for IgM titers against chondroitin sulfate A at 6 weeks of age (OR 1.4 and 1.5), actin at 6 weeks of age (OR 1.4 and 1.3), thyroglobulin at 24 weeks of age (OR 1.5 and 1.3), and IgG titers against insulin at 6 weeks of age (OR 1.7 and 1.4). Additionally, significant (P <= 0.05) associations with OC were found at the knee joint for IgM titers against albumin at 6 weeks of age (OR 2.3), at the hock joint for IgM titers against keyhole limpet hemocyanin at 6 weeks of age (OR 1.4), and at the animal level for IgM titers against actin at 24 weeks of age (OR 1.3). This study indicated for the first time associations between the presence and levels of N(A)Ab at a young age and OC at 24 weeks of age in breeding gilts.
- 出版日期2015-6
