Blood samples were taken from each of 12 pigs/treatment by venipuncture from the anterior vena cava on d 0, 8 and 15. On d 22 of the experiment, 10 pigs/treatment were euthanized by captive bolt stunning followed by exsanguination and blood samples were taken at this time. All samples were collected in plastic blood collection tubes (Vacuette®, Labstock, Dublin, Ireland) and immediately inverted 10 times. Blood samples for serum biochemistry were collected in serum collection tubes, and allowed to clot at room temperature for 2–3 h prior to centrifugation (2000×g for 10 min). Serum was collected and stored at −20°C for subsequent biochemical analysis. Whole blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes and stored at room temperature for hematology analysis within 6 h of sampling.
For hematological analysis, the EDTA blood samples were analyzed on a Beckman Coulter Ac T Diff (Beckman Coulter Inc., Brea, CA, USA), as outlined previously [20] (link). Serum samples were analysed using an ABX Pentra 400 Clinical Chemistry Analyser (Horiba ABX, Northampton, UK), as outlined previously [21] (link).
For hematological analysis, the EDTA blood samples were analyzed on a Beckman Coulter Ac T Diff (Beckman Coulter Inc., Brea, CA, USA), as outlined previously [20] (link). Serum samples were analysed using an ABX Pentra 400 Clinical Chemistry Analyser (Horiba ABX, Northampton, UK), as outlined previously [21] (link).