Abstract
Dry porcine plasma (PP) and dry bovine milk whey (BMW) with a rotavirus-neutralizing activity were fed to the first and second groups of hysterectomy-produced colostrum-deprived (HPCD) piglets respectively, with the third group not receiving these immunosubstances and the fourth group being fed both immunosubstances. All groups except for the fourth group were inoculated orally with the rotavirus three days after birth. The third group which was given no immunosubstance and inoculated with the virus developed severe diarrhea, and excreted rotavirus in the feces, showed depression, and one of the three died 6 days after inoculation. Although infected piglets fed PP or BMW also showed diarrhea and rotavirus shedding, none of them died and, as compared with the infected control piglets of the third group, showed less intense clinical signs. Especially, the first group fed PP had a delayed onset and a shorter duration of diarrhea and with a reduced amount of excreted virus. All of the infected piglets developed antibodies to the rotavirus. The unexposed piglets fed both PP and BMW remained healthy and did not excrete rotavirus and did not develop any antibodies to rotavirus.
