Protection of pigs against neonatal enteric colibacillosis with colostrum and milk from orally vaccinated sows
Kohler, E.M.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 35(3): 331-338
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4594741 Document Number: 71527
Sows were fed cultures of enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli during the last month of gestation. Colostrum and milk were collected, chemically sterilized [with 0.3% beta -propiolactone], and fed to gnotobiotic piglets experimentally infected with the homologous E. coli strains. Protective value against neonatal enteric colibacillosis was demonstrated in piglets fed colostrum and milk from sows that had been fed viable E. coli cultures. Protection was not detected in the secretions from 1 non-inoculated sow or 1 sow fed killed E. coli cultures. In piglets fed protective secretions, development of large populations of the homologous E. coli strains in the small intestinal tissues after experimental infection was inhibited.