The course of acute-phase proteins and serum cortisol in mastitis metritis agalactia (MMA) of the sow and sow performance.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in acute-phase proteins (APPs) during mastitis metritis agalactia (MMA) in sows. Sows with MMA (group one, n=15) and healthy sows (group two, n = 15) were evaluated at days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 postpartum. Number of total born, liveborn, stillborn, and mummified pigs did not differ significantly between the groups. Preweaning mortality was higher (P < 0.001) among MMA sows than among healthy control animals. The offspring of healthy sows had higher (P < 0.05) weaning litter weights than the off-spring of MMA sows. Mean serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) concentrations were higher in MMA sows on the days 1 (P < 0.05), 5 (P = 0.05), and 10 (P < 0.001) post partum. Mean serum haptoglobin (HPT) was higher in MMA sows on days 1, 5 (P < 0.001), and 10 (P < 0.05) of lactation. Cortisol serum concentrations up to day 10 post partum were higher (P < 0.001) in MMA sows than in healthy sows. AGP was negatively correlated with litter weight, indicating that activation of the cellular immune response in sows negatively affects the growth rate of suckling piglets. Correlations were found between the overall means for weight, acute-phase proteins, and serum cortisol concentration.