Lymphocyte stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A in different swine breeds

Lymphocyte stimulation in the presence of mitogens is recommended for testing the capacity of cell mediated immunity. Stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, as induced with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), was studied in swine. A female and a male full-sib swine were selected from each of 90 litters at 10 weeks and 5 months of age, respectively, originating from the following four breeds: Finnish Landrace, Dutch Landrace, Norwegian Landrace and Large White. Con A induced cell proliferation to a maximum of 51666 counts per minute (cpm) - coefficient of variation 35 (C.V.) - and PHA gave a maximal reactivity of 107324 cpm (C.V. 19). The statistical model used explained the observed variation in lymphocyte stimulation for 70–82%. The effect of breed was highly significant ( P