Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on some aspecific immune parameters and acute phase protein in weaned piglets

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of dietary supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on some immune system parameters in piglets. Forty-two weaned piglets, 12.44 ± 1.96 kg liveweight, were fed diets containing 1% sunflower oil (control, C), 0.5% CLA plus 0.5% sunflower oil (T1), and 1% CLA (T2). After 28, d serum lysozyme (1.39, 1.77 and 1.86 μg mL–1, respectively, for C, T1 a nd T2 groups; P < 0.01) and total serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) (1548, 1930, 2075 mg dL–1, respectively, for C, T1 and T2 groups; P < 0.05) were higher in piglets fed dietary CLA. No significant effect on serum α-1-acyl glycoprotein (AGP) was observed. These results support the view that CLA favorably influences immune response. Key words: Nutrition, CLA, immune response, piglets