Influence of spray dried porcine plasma in starter diets associated with a conventional vaccination program on wean to finish performance

BACKGROUND Conventional vaccination programs using a single injection of a combined vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHYO) can promote a strong immune response that reduces feed intake for 24 to 48 h post injection. Often such vaccines are given around the time of weaning during a critical stress period in which feed intake is already compromised. Spray dried porcine plasma (SDPP) is a protein source used in starter diets that increases post-weaning feed intake of pigs. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a conventional vaccination program along with feeding SDPP in a starter diet on antibody development and wean to finish performance of pigs. RESULTS Pigs fed the starter diet with SDPP had improved body weight, average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake during the initial 14 d after weaning along with improved feed efficiency during the initial 7 d after weaning and these responses were independent of vaccination. Vaccination at 3 d after weaning had no significant effect on performance during the initial 14 d after weaning. Cumulative mortality was reduced for pigs fed the starter diet with SDPP, while vaccinated pigs had reduced mortality from d 48 to 145. Both vaccinated pigs and those fed the starter diet with SDPP had heavier carcass weight. One pig per pen was challenged with PCV2 at d 63. A higher percentage of vaccinated pigs were sero-positive for antibodies against PCV2 and MHYO at d 35, 63 and 78. Antibody values against PCV2 were higher for vaccinated pigs at d 35 and 63, but lower at d 146. Percentage of positive samples for PCV2 genome in serum was reduced for vaccinated pigs at d 117 and 146. Antibody values against MHYO were increased for vaccinated pigs at d 35, 63 and 78. CONCLUSIONS Vaccination supported a long term antibody response against PCV2 and a moderate but weaker antibody response against MHYO for early finishing pigs challenged with PCV2. Using SDPP in the starter diet along with vaccination supported the best long-term beneficial effects on survival to market and carcass weight.