Relationship of serum concentrations of several enzymes to the porcine stress syndrome.

Serum enzyme concentrations were determined in 319 Hampshire pigs (approx 2 months of age). Significant positive correlations were found when creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were compared with lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase values, but not when compared with aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase values. In an additional study, a litter from a sow with high serum CK concentrations was observed at 2, 3, 4, and 5 months of age for serum CK concentrations. The CK concentration increased as the pigs aged, and soft exudative pork was found upon slaughter of the pigs at 5 months of age. It is believed that CK, lactate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase determinations in weanling pigs would have value for reducing the frequency of the porcine stress syndrome and soft exudative pork in breeding stock. If only a portion of the genetic carriers was removed, the effect would be considerable within a few generations.