INVESTIGATIONS OF THE WHITE BLOOD-COUNT O F POSTPARTURIENT SOWS

147 blood samples of postparturient sows of a secluded housing were ta ken. The samples were conserved with ACD-solution. The influence of th e number and week of the lactation and the health of the sow, determin ed by puerperal diseases was studied. Hematological values of healthy postparturient sows are: leucocytes 12,6 +/- 2,2 G/1 basophile granulo cytes 0,1 +/- 0,1 G/1 eosinophile granulocytes 0,5 +/- 0,4 G/1 banded neutrophile granulocytes 1,3 +/- 0,6 G/1, segmented neutrophile granul ocytes 5,2 +/- 1,4 G/1 lymphocytes 5,5 +/- 1,4 G/1, monocytes 0,3 +/- 0,3 G/1 The leucocyte number is lower in the investigated herd compare d with quotations in the literature. This is based on the good health conditions in the herd. Changes due to the number and week of the lact ation have no clinical relevance. Health status, here described by pue rperal diseases is the significant influencing factor of the leucocyte number. The severity of puerperal diseases is significant. Due to pue rperal diseases the leucocyte number rises quickly after a short drop about 2 G/1. The number of the neutrophile granulocytes increases, but the lymphocyte number is reduced at the beginning of the illness. The application of ACD-solution for stabilizing of great amounts of blood samples under practical conditions is demonstrated. It is possible to stabilize pigs blood well.