Association between serum type-I, -III and -IV collagen concentrations and inguinal hernia status in piglets

Adam Brodzki; Janusz Kocki; Paulina Gawin; Rafał Maszkowski; Magdalena Krakowiak

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0033

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Association between serum type-I, -III and -IV collagen concentrations and inguinal hernia status in piglets

Journal of Veterinary Research

Volume 70 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Adam Brodzki , Janusz Kocki , Paulina Gawin , Rafał Maszkowski and Magdalena Krakowiak

Open Access

|Jun 2026

Abstract

Introduction

Inguinal hernias are a significant health and economic problem in pig farming, affecting animal welfare and production profitability. Suspected aetiological factors include disorders in the metabolism of extracellular matrix components, including collagen, which is responsible for the integrity and strength of connective tissue. The aim of the study was to compare the concentrations of type-I, -III and -IV collagen in the blood serum of pigs with inguinal hernias to those in healthy animals.

Material and Methods

The study used 87 pigs, comprised of 59 hernia-affected individuals in the experimental group and 28 unaffected counterparts in the control group. The animals were of the same age and came from the same genetic line. The study used ELISA tests for the quantitative measurement of serum collagen concentrations.

Results

The results showed significantly higher concentrations of type-I (P-value < 0.001) and type-III (P-value < 0.01) collagen in the experimental group, indicating an association between collagen metabolism and hernia status. For type-IV collagen, the differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Changes in type-I and type-III collagen levels may be associated with inguinal hernia status in pigs and warrant further investigation as potential risk biomarkers. Type-IV collagen showed no relationship with hernia status in the study population.

References

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2026-0033 | Journal eISSN: 2450-8608

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Language: English

Page range: 335 - 340

Submitted on: Oct 30, 2025

Accepted on: Jun 16, 2026

Published on: Jun 30, 2026

Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

ELISA,

Related subjects:

Microbiology and virology,

Life sciences,

Life sciences, other

© 2026 Adam Brodzki, Janusz Kocki, Paulina Gawin, Rafał Maszkowski, Magdalena Krakowiak, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 70 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)