Maternal immunity

Significance of maternal antibodies
With the colostrum, piglets receive antibodies to infections to which the sow has previously been exposed (maternal antibodies). These antibodies are best absorbed by the piglets in the first two to four hours after birth although their ability to absorb them rapidly decreases during the first 24 hours of life.
Over the last few weeks of the pregnancy, the levels of antibodies significantly increase in the sow.  The amount of antibodies which are absorbed by the piglets is proportional to the level of antibodies present in the sow.
The protective value of maternal antibodies (maternal immunity) has been widely proven and so piglets are generally protected against many infections during the first 17 days of age. The risk to the piglet of infection, increases as the levels of maternal antibodies decrease in the dam.  

End of the passive immunity from maternal antibodies in piglets:
Sow with low antibody level - 30 days
Sow with medium antibody level - 45 days
Sow with high antibody level after - 63 days
Influence of maternal antibodies on early vaccination
Maternal antibodies cannot differentiate between the natural field infection and vaccine. In both cases the antigen is detected and destroyed by the maternal antibodies and is not therefore available to stimulate the immune system. The desired effect of active immunisation does not therefore occur.    Recent studies confirm that the piglets active immune response may be impaired if a high level of maternal antibodies is present.  The inhibition of vaccine response by maternal antibodies is called interference.

Summary:

Maternal antibodies may curtail the effectiveness of early vaccination (in the first few weeks of life). See Optimim time of infection

Recent studies where interference with maternal antibodies was observed in vaccination

 

Origin of maternal antibodies

Age of piglets at vaccination

Thacker, B. (1998) Sow vaccinated Day 11 to 15 +
Day 25 to 29
Böck, K. (2000) Sow not vaccinated Week 1 + 4
Jayappa, H. (2001) Sow vaccinated Week 1 + 3,
Week 3 + 5
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