Evaluation of the agreement between Brix refractometry and serum immunoglobulin concentration in neonatal piglets

Neonatal piglets lack immunoglobulins at birth. Sufficient colostrum intake (CI) and immunoglobulin absorption are essential for an appropriate passive transfer of immunity via the colostrum. Most methods to measure in serum labour-intensive, expensive or imprecise not designed on-farm use. The present diagnostic test study evaluated digital Brix refractometry neonatal suggest thresholds different concentration. Additionally, agreements between optical refractometer (serum total protein, STP) ELISA (immunoglobulin G, IgG) were also investigated. Forty-five sows 269 from three farms enrolled study. Piglets weighed birth 24 h later calculate CI. Serum was collected after analysed STP, γ-globulins (electrophoresis), % IgG. In piglets, median (interquartile range, IQR) CI 412 (196) g per piglet. Median (IQR) γ-globulin concentrations piglet 60 (11) g/L, 35 (10) g/L 8 (2) %, respectively. Average (±SD) IgG concentration 49 ± 23 g/L. Passing-Bablok regression revealed a strong concordance STP (Kendall's tau (Τ): 0.620, P < 0.0001, n = 267) Τ: 0.575, 267). agreement poor 0.267, 269). Receiver operating characteristic curves performed evaluate characteristics cut-off values, i.e. 10, 20 30 values resulting optimal combination sensitivity specificity 5.4 (100 98.5%), 7.0 89.3%) 7.9 (90.1 80.6%), conclusion, is sufficiently fast practical method assess them by considering found this Further studies needed validate those regarding piglet's survival pre-weaning period.