The status of T- and B-cell factors of specific immunity in piglets at an early age under the essential oils blend influence

Y. І. Kentsalo; Т. Y. Prudyus; O. I. Vishchur; D. I. Mudrak; A. Broda; I. Y. Solovodzinska; T. A. Holubieva

doi:10.15421/0226112

Y. І. Kentsalo Intsitute of Animal Biology National Academy of Agrarian Sciences
Т. Y. Prudyus Intsitute of Animal Biology National Academy of Agrarian Sciences
O. I. Vishchur Intsitute of Animal Biology National Academy of Agrarian Sciences
D. I. Mudrak Intsitute of Animal Biology National Academy of Agrarian Sciences
A. Broda Intsitute of Animal Biology National Academy of Agrarian Sciences
I. Y. Solovodzinska Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies of Lviv
T. A. Holubieva National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Keywords: piglets, sows, phytogenic additives, carvacrol, allicin, Т-lymphocytes, В-lymphocytes, immunoregulatory index, CD4/CD8 ratio.

Abstract

A key focus of modern pig farming is the search for natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters that would be capable of maintaining animal productivity and supporting the development of their immune systems. The objective of the study was to assess the effect s of the phytogenic feed additive AppetiX, containing carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, capsaicin and allicin, on the parameters of the T- and B-cell components of specific immunity in early-stage piglets . The suppelemt was given t o sows during late gestation and lactation periods and to piglets as part of a pre-starter compound feed. The study was conducted on sows and their piglets, which were divided into a control group and two experimental groups. Sows in the experimental groups were fed AppetiX at a rate of 0.1 kg/t of compound feed, whilst the piglets were fed 0.1 and 0.2 kg/t of pre-starter compound feed. T he intake of the supplement led to an increase in the number of total and active T-lymphocytes, a rise in the proportion of theophylline-resistant T-cells and the immunoregulatory index, whilst reducing the number of T- suppressor cells. The most pronounced changes were observed in piglets of the E2 group, which received 0.2 kg/t of the supplement. In these animals, on the 33rd day of life, the number of active T-lymphocytes was 7.0% higher, the number of theophy lline-resistant T-cells was 7.1 % higher, and the immunoregulatory index was 2.1 times higher than in the control group. At the same time, an increase in the number of B-lymphocytes and their functionally active forms was observed, accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of inactive cells. The results obtained indicate a positive dose-dependent effect of the phytogenic composition on the development of the cellular and humoral components of adaptive immunity in piglets at an early age. Further study of the effect of individual components of essential oils on the mech a nisms regulating the immune response and the resistance of piglets in the post -weaning period holds promise.

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