Animal Husbandry and Feed Science ›› 2024, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 7-17.doi: 10.12160/j.issn.1672-5190.2024.05.002

• Basic Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of 'QiYouNeng' on Immune Function and Pathological Damage of Piglets Infected with PRRSV

TANG Chunyan1, ZHU Wenxin1, LIU Wei2, Yixiquzhen3, Suolangquzhen4, Langjiewangmu5, DENG Junliang1, DENG Huidan1   

  1. 1. College of Veterinary Medicine,Sichuan Agricultural University,Chengdu 611130,China;
    2. Guilin Huayi Health Science and Technology Co.,Ltd.,Guilin 541805,China;
    3. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Comprehensive Service Center,Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Comai County,Shannan City,Tibet Autonomous Region,Comai 856900,China;
    4. Animal Disease Control Center,Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Gerze County,Ngari Prefecture,Tibet Autonomous Region,Gerze 859200,China;
    5. Agriculture and Rural Affairs,and Science and Technology Bureau of Damxung County,Lhasa City,Tibet Autonomous Region,Damxung 851500,China
  • Received:2024-07-02 Online:2024-09-30 Published:2024-11-29

Abstract: [Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of 'QiYouNeng', a preparation of Astragalus membranaceus extracts (whole composition), on immune function and pathological damage of the weaned piglets infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). [Method] A total of 32 PRRSV-positive 28-day-old weaned piglets were selected and randomly divided into Groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, with 8 piglets in each group. The experiment period was 42 days. In the first and fifth weeks of the experiment, Groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ fed the basal diets supplemented with 0, 200, 500 and 1 000 g/t of 'QiYouNeng', respectively. On the first day after the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from anterior venae cavae. Real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to determine the serum nucleic acid loads of PRRSV, and ELISA assay was employed to measure the serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) and cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ). Three piglets were chosen from each group and were dissected. Tissue samples of lungs, pulmonary hilar lymph nodes and spleens were collected and embedded in paraffin sections. Pathohistological changes were observed using HE staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunofluorescence double-labeling staining. [Result] Compared with group Ⅰ, the serum PRRSV copy number in groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ was extremely significantly (P<0.01) lower, the serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were extremely significantly (P<0.01) higher, the serum levels of IgG in groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were extremely significantly (P<0.01) elevated, and the serum levels of IgA in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly (P<0.05) and extremely significantly (P<0.01) increased, respectively. Pathohistological analysis demonstrated that in comparison to group Ⅰ, the damages of lungs, pulmonary hilar lymph nodes and spleens in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were obviously alleviated; significantly (P<0.05) as well as extremely significantly (P<0.01) elevated ratios of CD68 positive macrophages in lung tissues were observed in group Ⅱ as well as groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ, respectively; groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ had extremely significantly (P<0.01) higher ratios of CD163 positive macrophages in lung tissues and CD163/CD68. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of 'QiYouNeng' in the PRRSV-infected piglets exhibited the effects of reducing serum PRRSV load, enhancing immune function, and alleviating pathological damages of lung, spleen and pulmonary hilar lymph nodes, and the most obvious effect was achieved at the level of 1 000 g/t.

Key words: porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, 'QiYouNeng', piglet, immunoglobulin, cytokine, pathohistology

CLC Number: