The Relationship Between CRP Gene Polymorphism and the Serum Concentrations of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol and HDL Cholesterol in Suckling Piglets / Związek polimorfizmu genu CRP z koncentracją kodowanego białka C-reaktywnego, cholesterolu całkowitego i HDL-ch w surowicy krwi ssących prosiąt

The relationship between CRP gene (1271 G/A, 3’UTR) polymorphism and the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol (Ch-T) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch) was analysed in suckling crossbred [Polish Large White × Polish Landrace (♀) × × Duroc × Pietrain (♂)] piglets. CRP genotypes were identified by PCR-RFLP with Hinfi restriction enzyme. The levels of CRP, Ch-T, HDL-ch and white blood cell (WBC) counts were determined in blood samples collected from younger (21±3 days of age) and older piglets (35±3 days of age). There was a relationship between CRP gene (1271 G/A, 3’UTR) polymorphism and variations in the serum levels of CRP in piglets with normal WBC counts. The above relationship did not manifest itself in piglets with elevated WBC counts. The studied genotypes differed in their response to elevated WBC counts, and the noted differences were more pronounced in older piglets. The response of genotypes with weak CRP expression caused an increase in CRP levels and a decrease in the serum concentrations of Ch-T and HDL-ch. Such a response was not observed in the genotype with strong CRP expression.