Influence of temperature and age on hemato-biochemical results in East Balkan pigs raised under extensive breeding system
Gergana Yordanova, Todor Slavov, Ivelina Nedeva
Abstract: The experiment was carried out in the Scientific Centre of Agriculture – Sredets with indigenous
East Balkan pigs divided in three age groups – suckling piglets (n = 10), growers (n = 10) and sows (n
= 10). Seven hematological and nine blood biochemical parameters were determined. The pigs raised
under extensive breeding system – in semi-open buildings without providing the optimum temperature
for the different pig categories a depends on the outside temperature. The changes in haematological
and blood biochemical parameters at four temperature ranges (TR) – I (up to 8 °С), II (9–15
°С), III (16–22 °С) and IV (over 23 °С) were controlled. Blood samples were taken during the months
of February, May, July and October. The results were analyzed through two-way ANOVA to assess
the influence of the age and temperature on the hematological profile of the animals.
The lowest monthly average values were measured in the period from December to March – 1,8
°С–6,0 °С. The next temperature interval – from 9.6 °С to 14.6 °С was observed in the months of
April, October and November and optimal temperature values – from 16 °С to 20 °С, in May, June
and September. The highest average monthly temperature was established during the period July–
August – above 23.0 °С.
The leukocyte´s number is influenced by both the temperature and the age of the pigs. For all controlled
categories values were lower in II and III compared to I and IV TR, which could be explained
by differences in temperature. The differences obtained for the number of lymphocytes and granulocytes
are not significant and does not show any age and temperature dependence. Significant influence
was found at the red blood cells number (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and hematocrit (P
< 0.01), as well as in the most biochemical parameters including glucose, creatinine (P < 0.001), total
protein (P < 0.001), albumin (P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase
(P < 0.01), triglycerides (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01).
East Balkan pigs divided in three age groups – suckling piglets (n = 10), growers (n = 10) and sows (n
= 10). Seven hematological and nine blood biochemical parameters were determined. The pigs raised
under extensive breeding system – in semi-open buildings without providing the optimum temperature
for the different pig categories a depends on the outside temperature. The changes in haematological
and blood biochemical parameters at four temperature ranges (TR) – I (up to 8 °С), II (9–15
°С), III (16–22 °С) and IV (over 23 °С) were controlled. Blood samples were taken during the months
of February, May, July and October. The results were analyzed through two-way ANOVA to assess
the influence of the age and temperature on the hematological profile of the animals.
The lowest monthly average values were measured in the period from December to March – 1,8
°С–6,0 °С. The next temperature interval – from 9.6 °С to 14.6 °С was observed in the months of
April, October and November and optimal temperature values – from 16 °С to 20 °С, in May, June
and September. The highest average monthly temperature was established during the period July–
August – above 23.0 °С.
The leukocyte´s number is influenced by both the temperature and the age of the pigs. For all controlled
categories values were lower in II and III compared to I and IV TR, which could be explained
by differences in temperature. The differences obtained for the number of lymphocytes and granulocytes
are not significant and does not show any age and temperature dependence. Significant influence
was found at the red blood cells number (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and hematocrit (P
< 0.01), as well as in the most biochemical parameters including glucose, creatinine (P < 0.001), total
protein (P < 0.001), albumin (P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase
(P < 0.01), triglycerides (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01).
Keywords: age; East Balkan breed; effect; hematological and blood biochemical results; pigs; temperature
Date published: 2022-02-25
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