Serum biochemical parameters in suckling piglets with low and average birth mass

The most significant losses in the pig farming occur during the preweaning period, especially in piglets with birth mass less than 1000 g. Newborn piglets are physiologically immature and gradually establish individual metabolic mechanisms. Furthermore, a great deal of energy is used for maintenance of body temperature, and they are undergoing intensive hone construction, as well as muscle growth and fat tissue synthesis. For these reasons the values of some serum biochemical parameters change continuously until weaning, and exceed the reference values of adult animals. The aim of this study was to observe changes in concentrations of serum biochemical parameters in two groups of Yorkshire piglets during the preweaning period: one group consisted of piglets with birth mass less than 1000 g (low birth mass piglets, n = 24) while in the other group were their littermates with mass at birth >= 1000 g (piglets with average birth mass, n = 24). Blood samples for biochemical analysis were collected on the 1st, 7th. 14th and 21st days of life. In the group of small piglets we observed lower serum glucose levels on the 1st day of life (P<0.05), as well as lower creatinine concentrations at the age of 14 and 21 days (P<0.05). Also, concentrations of triacylglycerol and urea were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the two week old piglets with low birth mass. Concentrations of serum total protein, globulin and creatinine in both groups were still below the reference values at weaning, while the concentration of cholesterol was higher. Some of the differences determined between the two observed groups indicate that birth mass may influence the physiological maturity of animals.