Beta-1,3-glucan effect on sow antibody production and passive immunisation of progeny

-glucans are glucose homopolymers known to modulate immunity. Here, the -glucan effect on sow antibody production and passive immunisation of neonatal pigs was analysed. Treatments included: (1) corn-soy fed Control group; (2) -glucan; (3) Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) vaccination; and (4) -glucan + App vaccination. Birth and weaning weights were not affected (P>0.05) by treatment. Independent of treatment, IgA, IgG and IgM in colostrum were elevated and declined rapidly. Vaccination against App resulted in an increase (P<0.05) in IgG and IgA specific for App serotypes 1, 5 and 7 in colostrum and milk, and a corresponding increase (P<0.05) in serum in pigs at 4 d of age. However, -glucan did not enhance specific App antibodies in pig serum. While the dosage used here did not enhance passive immunisation in pigs, -glucan can be potentially efficacious as an oral adjuvant to enhance immunoglobulin production in response to vaccination.