The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of spray-dried plasma (SDP) on the growth performance, immunological, histological and microbiological profile and weight of organs of light weight weaned pigs. The trial was done using 24 pigs with an initial mean age of 21 days in a completely randomized experimental design. The treatments were: T1 - heavy weight weaned pigs, without SDP supplementation; T2 - light weight weaned pigs, supplemented with 10g/animal/day of SDP; T3 - light weight weaned pigs, supplemented with 20g/animal/day of SDP; T4 - light weight weaned pigs, without SDP supplementation. The inclusion of 20g of SDP in the diet improved the weight gain, spleen weight (g/kg) and serum IgA title between 21 and 31 days of age. The inclusion of 10g of SDP in the diet improved the length and width of the ileocolic lymph node. In the first 10 days after weaning, SDP improved the development of lymphoid organs and the protection of the intestinal mucosa.
swine; spray dried plasma; small intestine; immunoglobulins; E. coli
