Hematological parameters of pigs in different housing systems in Slovenia

Summary in the original language of the document

Objectives: Establish blood reference
values and evaluate the influence of age
on the hematological profile of indige-
nous Slovenian Krškopolje pigs and com-
pare these values with conventionally
farmed pigs.
Materials and methods: Blood samples
were taken from 57 grower and 36 fin-
isher Krškopolje pigs from 2 organic
farms and 183 grower and 47 finisher
pigs from 6 conventional farms in Slove-
nia. Samples were analyzed using an au-
tomatic hematology analyzer to measure
white blood cell count, red blood cell
count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglo-
bin concentration (Hb), mean corpus-
cular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular
hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular
hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and
platelet count (PLT).
Results: The hematological parameter
reference values of the Krškopolje pig
breed corresponded with reference
ranges in the literature. Pig age had a
significant effect on hematologic param-
eters. Organic grower pigs had signifi-
cantly higher RBC and MCHC values and
lower Hct, MCV, and MCH values than
conventional pigs. Organic finisher pigs
had significantly higher PLT values and
lower Hb, Hct, MCV, and MCH values
than conventional pigs. All reported dif-
ferences in hematologic values between
Krškopolje and conventional pigs are not
expected to affect clinical outcomes.
Implications: These hematologic refer-
ence values can be used as a diagnostic
tool for assessing the health status of
Krškopolje pigs, but pig age must be ac-
counted for. Reference values from the
literature are suitable for assessing the
health status of both conventionally and
organically reared pigs.