The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of breed, diet, period of the year and lactation numbers on the concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in sows colostrum. IgG concentration was determined in colostrum of 60 sows (33 Large White and 27 Landrace) submitted to four different diets with 0%, 7%, 14% and 21% of dried yeast. Dried yeast from alcohol of sugar cane industry (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was used as substitute for corn and soybean mill keeping the level of crude protein at 14%. IgG concentration in the colostrum was not affected by breed and diet. Higher concentration of IgG was found in colostrum of sows farrowing occurred between May and October (P<0.05). Quadratic (P<0.10) and cubic (P<0.01) effects of parturition order on IgG concentration were detected. Females from first parturition had lower concentration (P<0.05) of IgG (49.98±7.9 mg/mL) compared to females from second (92.70±5.9 mg/mL), third (70.72±5.6 mg/mL) and fourth (85.56±9.0 mg/mL) parturition, demonstrating that animals with more immunological experience have higher concentrations of IgG in the colostrum.
passive immunity; sows; antibodies; immunological factors
