Animal Production

Table of Contents - 1986 - Volume 42, Issue 03  

Research Article

Performance of pigs with or without the intestinal receptor for Escherichia coli K88

Inger Edfors-Liljaa1, H. Peterssona1 p1 and B. Gahnea1

a1 Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

The adhesion of Escherichia (E.) coli K88ac to epithelial cells of the small intestine was studied after slaughter in 564 crossbred pigs (Swedish Landrace x Swedish Yorkshire). E.coli K88ac adhered to epithelial cells obtained from different parts of the small intestine in 40·8% of the pigs studied. Performance data indicated that presence of the receptor resulted in poorer daily gain during the 1st weeks of life, but that it had a beneficial influence on daily lean growth during the fattening period (24 to 100 kg live weight).

(Received June 03 1985)

(Accepted October 07 1985)

Correspondence:

p1 Present address: Swedish Farmers' Meat Marketing Association. S-121 88 Johanneshov, Sweden.