Elsevier, The Veterinary Journal, 3(197), p. 881-883
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.04.014
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The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA and antibody to the virus in the serum and colostrum of sows vaccinated prior to mating and in their offspring. Seventy-seven sows were randomly distributed into vaccinated (V, n=36) and non-vaccinated (NV, n=41) groups. One week before mating, sows were given a PCV2 vaccine (V group) or PBS (NV group) IM. Blood samples were taken from the sows at fixed time-points and colostrum samples were taken at farrowing. Blood samples were also taken from the piglets of the sows at 4weeks of age. The results indicated that vaccination prior to mating elicited a strong, homogeneous humoral response and, in consequence, more homogeneous colostral PCV2 antibody concentrations.