Researchers tested whether a seaweed extract supplement could make pig vaccines more effective against a common pig disease called PRRS. They gave some pigs the seaweed supplement before vaccination and others after vaccination, then measured how well their immune systems responded. The pigs that received the supplement before vaccination showed stronger immune responses and better antibody production. This suggests that taking a seaweed-based supplement before getting vaccinated might help the vaccine work more effectively, though more research is needed to confirm these findings in real-world conditions.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a seaweed extract supplement (with added vitamins A and D) could improve how well pigs’ immune systems respond to a PRRS vaccine
  • Who participated: Pigs on a farm divided into six groups—some vaccinated and some not, with different supplement timing protocols
  • Key finding: Pigs that received the seaweed supplement one day before vaccination and for two days after showed significantly stronger immune responses (higher antibody levels) compared to pigs that didn’t get the supplement
  • What it means for you: For pig farmers, this suggests that giving seaweed supplements before vaccination might be a simple, affordable way to make vaccines work better. However, this was a small exploratory study, so more research is needed before making this a standard practice

The Research Details

This was a farm-based experiment where researchers divided pigs into six groups. Three groups received the PRRS vaccine, and three groups didn’t (control groups). Within each set, some pigs got a seaweed extract supplement at different times: before vaccination, after vaccination, or not at all. The researchers measured three main things: the levels of immune-fighting proteins called cytokines in the blood, how much virus remained in the pigs’ bodies, and the number of antibodies (immune proteins) the pigs produced against the virus.

The seaweed supplement used was a commercial product called Searup® that contained extract from a type of green seaweed called Ulva, plus added vitamins A and D. Two timing protocols were tested: one where pigs received the supplement starting one day before vaccination through two days after (pre-vaccination protocol), and another where they received it starting one day after vaccination for five days (post-vaccination protocol).

This type of study is important because it tests new ideas in real farm conditions rather than just in laboratory settings, which helps researchers understand if something might actually work in practice.

Testing supplements in real farm conditions is crucial because laboratory results don’t always translate to real-world situations. This study helps determine whether a simple, affordable supplement could genuinely improve vaccine effectiveness in actual pig farming operations, which could have significant economic benefits for the industry.

This was an exploratory study, meaning it was designed to test a new idea rather than provide definitive proof. The sample size wasn’t specified in the abstract, which makes it harder to assess how reliable the findings are. The study was conducted on a real farm rather than in controlled laboratory conditions, which is good for real-world relevance but makes it harder to control all variables. The researchers measured multiple immune markers, which strengthens the findings. However, the authors themselves note that further studies are needed to confirm these results and test whether the supplement actually prevents disease in pigs exposed to the virus.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that pigs receiving the seaweed supplement before vaccination showed significantly higher levels of anti-PRRSV antibodies (immune proteins that fight the virus) compared to unsupplemented vaccinated pigs. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it wasn’t likely due to chance.

Interestingly, the timing of the supplement mattered greatly. Pigs that received the supplement starting one day before vaccination and continuing for two days after showed these benefits. In contrast, pigs that received the supplement only after vaccination showed no significant improvement in antibody response.

The pre-vaccination supplement group also showed higher levels of the vaccine virus in their blood four days after vaccination, which the researchers suggest might indicate a stronger initial immune response. Additionally, this group showed lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (immune signaling molecules that cause inflammation), suggesting the supplement helped regulate the immune response more effectively.

The post-vaccination supplementation group showed only a modest reduction in how long the vaccine virus persisted in their bodies (at 12 days post-vaccination), but this wasn’t a strong or consistent effect. The non-vaccinated control groups that received the seaweed supplement showed no significant changes, suggesting the supplement’s effects are specifically related to how it interacts with the vaccine.

The researchers note that their findings align with previous research suggesting that seaweed supplements given before vaccination can enhance immune responses. However, this is the first study to demonstrate these effects in pigs (the actual target species) under real farm conditions. Previous studies had shown similar benefits in other contexts, but this research provides more practical evidence for the pig farming industry.

The study was described as exploratory, meaning it was a preliminary investigation rather than a definitive proof. The exact number of pigs in each group wasn’t specified in the abstract. The study only measured antibody responses and didn’t test whether the supplement actually protected pigs from getting sick if exposed to the real virus. The researchers only tested one brand of seaweed supplement, so results might not apply to other products. Additionally, the study was conducted on a single farm, so results might differ in other locations or conditions. The researchers acknowledge that more research is needed to test whether the supplement produces neutralizing antibodies (the most protective type) and whether it works against different strains of the virus.

The Bottom Line

Based on this exploratory research, pre-vaccination seaweed supplementation appears promising for enhancing vaccine responses in pigs, but confidence is moderate. The evidence suggests potential benefits, but this is not yet strong enough to recommend as standard practice without further confirmation. Pig farmers interested in trying this approach should do so cautiously and continue monitoring vaccine effectiveness through standard health measures.

Pig farmers and veterinarians managing PRRS vaccination programs should be aware of these findings as a potential cost-effective strategy. However, this research is specific to pigs and the PRRS vaccine—it doesn’t apply to human vaccines or other animals. People working in swine health and production would benefit most from following up on this research.

Based on the study, immune response changes were measurable within 4-12 days after vaccination. However, the study didn’t track long-term protection, so it’s unclear how long these enhanced immune responses last or when pigs would need booster doses.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For farmers using this approach: track vaccination dates, supplement administration dates (start and end), and measure antibody levels at 4, 12, and 21 days post-vaccination to monitor immune response strength
  • Implement a pre-vaccination supplementation protocol by administering the seaweed supplement starting one day before scheduled vaccinations and continuing for two days after, while maintaining detailed records of timing and any health observations
  • Establish a long-term tracking system that records vaccination dates, supplement batches used, antibody response measurements, and any disease outbreaks or health issues in supplemented versus non-supplemented groups to evaluate real-world effectiveness over multiple vaccination cycles

This research is specific to pigs and the PRRS vaccine and should not be applied to human vaccines or other animals. These findings are from an exploratory study and have not yet been confirmed in larger, more rigorous trials. Farmers should consult with their veterinarians before implementing any new supplementation protocols. This supplement is not a replacement for vaccination and does not guarantee protection against PRRS. The study did not test whether the supplement prevents actual disease infection, only whether it enhances immune markers. Individual results may vary based on farm conditions, pig genetics, and other management factors.