[Biochemical and radioimmunological research on cannibalism in pigs raised under commercial conditions].

Abstract

Studied were 66 hybrid Camborough pigs aged 2 months and equated in terms of live weight. Fourteen of them were defined as aggressors (attackers) and 12--as victims that were bit to a varying extent on the body. Another group of 40 pigs were kept as controls. Studied were the clinical symptoms manifested by both the pigs exhibiting cannibalism and by those that suffered, following up a number of biochemical indices. The quantitative fluctuations with the amounts of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Zn, and Cu were also followed up in all groups of animals. Differences were established between the levels of the various macro- and microelements. Ascertained was the part played by the thyroid, employing radioimmunologic methods with its hormones in the etiopathogenesis of cannibalism.