Development of platelet indices in blood of neonatal pigs in early postnatal period

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the platelet count (PLT), platelet percentage (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDWc) in different sampling time during the first 12 hours of piglets life. Together 8 newborn piglets were included in this study. Blood samples were collected before colostrum intake (0 hour) and at 3^rd, 6^th and 12^th hour after first colostrum intake by newborn piglets. Heparinized blood samples were used for PLT, PCT, MPV and PDWc determinations. Blood samples were analyzed using haematological analyser Abacus Junior Vet. The results were statistically analyzed by a one-way ANOVA, the differences in average means of blood cells between different sampling times were tested with T-test. No significant difference (P>0.05) were found in platelet count, platelet percentage as well as platelet mean volume between different sampling times. We found significant difference (P<0.05) in platelet distribution width between time of birth and other sampling times. We can conclude that newborn piglets as well as piglets at 6^th and 12^th hour of their life suffer from thorombocytopenia.