Effect of bovine lactoferrin on T lymphocyte cell phenotype and function and the response to vaccination in the neonatal piglet
type: CreativeWork
description: Deficiencies of the immune system, both innate and adaptive immunity, can weaken host defense and increase susceptibility to infection. The immune system exists to guard the host against pathogenic infections, particularly at stressful time periods, such as birth and weaning. Proper nutrition and vaccination have positive effects for infant immune maturation. Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron binding glycoprotein found in breastmilk has been shown to have numerous physiological and immune properties that are nutritionally advantageous for infants. The goal of this thesis research was to discover how early nutrition influences immune maturation by investigating the addition of bovine Lf (bLf) to infant formula. The overall hypothesis of this research was that immune development is disparate between formula-fed and sow-reared piglets and that addition of bLf would enhance vaccination response and T-cell function in formula-fed piglets. To address this hypothesis, two specific aims were undertaken. N Specific Aim 1 investigated the effect of bLf supplemented to infant formula on the response to immunization against influenza virus and serum Ig profiles compared to piglets that were sow-reared or fed unsupplemented formula. Newborn piglets were obtained at 4h of age and were fed either medicated sow milk replacer (FF; n=22) or sow milk replacer formula with 1g/L bovine lactoferrin (bLf) (LF; n=22). A reference control group remained with the sow (SR; n=25). Half of the piglets were further randomized into two groups to receive an IM injection of Fluzone™ on d7 and d14. On d21 postpartum, piglets in each group were euthanized and blood and secondary lymphoid tissue samples were collected. Intestinal weight and length was collected immediately following euthanasia and serum was collected for analysis of Fluzone™-IgG and total IgG and IgM concentrations. Formula intake between FF and LF piglets did not differ. However, the body weight of the piglets was influenced by diet early in…
abstract: Deficiencies of the immune system, both innate and adaptive immunity, can weaken host defense and increase susceptibility to infection. The immune system exists to guard the host against pathogenic infections, particularly at stressful time periods, such as birth and weaning. Proper nutrition and vaccination have positive effects for infant immune maturation. Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron binding glycoprotein found in breastmilk has been shown to have numerous physiological and immune properties that are nutritionally advantageous for infants. The goal of this thesis research was to discover how early nutrition influences immune maturation by investigating the addition of bovine Lf (bLf) to infant formula. The overall hypothesis of this research was that immune development is disparate between formula-fed and sow-reared piglets and that addition of bLf would enhance vaccination response and T-cell function in formula-fed piglets. To address this hypothesis, two specific aims were undertaken. N Specific Aim 1 investigated the effect of bLf supplemented to infant formula on the response to immunization against influenza virus and serum Ig profiles compared to piglets that were sow-reared or fed unsupplemented formula. Newborn piglets were obtained at 4h of age and were fed either medicated sow milk replacer (FF; n=22) or sow milk replacer formula with 1g/L bovine lactoferrin (bLf) (LF; n=22). A reference control group remained with the sow (SR; n=25). Half of the piglets were further randomized into two groups to receive an IM injection of Fluzone™ on d7 and d14. On d21 postpartum, piglets in each group were euthanized and blood and secondary lymphoid tissue samples were collected. Intestinal weight and length was collected immediately following euthanasia and serum was collected for analysis of Fluzone™-IgG and total IgG and IgM concentrations. Formula intake between FF and LF piglets did not differ. However, the body weight of the piglets was influenced by diet early in…
author: Shunk, Jill
keywords: Immune System, Breastfeeding, Lactoferrin, Neonatal, Piglet
date published: 2015-11-17T21:21:52Z
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:26:32Z
provider: University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1031

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/88420