Effects of Echinacea Compound on the Immune Function of Weaned Piglets

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate effects of Echinacea compound on the immune function of weaned piglets. [Method] Eighty Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred piglets were randomly divided into four groups： control group （drug-free group）, 1.5% close group, 1.0% dose group and 0.5% dose group. Blood samples of piglets were collected at 20, 35, 50, 60, 70 and 80 days old, respective- ly, to determine neutrophil leukocyte percentage in peripheral blood, lymphocyte trapsformation rate and the levels of antibodies against classical swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disorder. [Result] Applying a certain dose of Echinacea compound could significantly increase neutrophil leukocyte per- centage in peripheral blood and lymphocyte transformation rate （P〈0.05）, and ex- tremely significantly improve the levels of antibodies against classical swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disorder （P〈0.01）. [Conclusion] Echi- nacea compound has played a certain role in promoting nonspecific and specific im- mune function of piglets.

Effects of purified zearalenone on selected immunological and histopathologic measurements of spleen in post-weanling gilts

The present study was aimed at investigating the adverse effects of dietary zearalenone(ZEA) on the lymphocyte proliferation rate(LPR), interleukin-2(IL-2), mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histopathologic changes of spleen in post-weanling gilts. A total of 20 crossbred piglets(Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) with an initial BW of 10.36 ± 1.21 kg(21 d of age) were used in the study.Piglets were fed a basal diet with an addition of 0.1.1,2.0, or 3.2 mg/kg purified ZEA for 18 d ad libitum.The results showed that LPR and IL-2 production of spleen decreased linearly(P < 0.05) as dietary ZEA increased. Splenic mRNA expressions of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) were linearly upregulated(P < 0.05) as dietary ZEA increased. On the contrary, linear down-regulation(P<0.05) of mRNA expression of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) was observed as dietary ZEA increased. Swelling splenocyte in1.1 mg/kg ZEA treatments, atrophy of white pulp and swelling of red pulp in 2.0 and 3.2 mg/kg ZEA treatments were observed. The cytoplasmic edema in 1.1 mg/kg ZEA treatments, significant chromatin deformation in 2.0 mg/kg ZEA treatment and phagocytosis in 3.2 mg/kg ZEA treatment were observed.Results suggested that dietary ZEA at 1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg can induce splenic damages and negatively affect immune function of spleen in post-weanling gilts.