Colostrum composition of Santa Inês sheep and passive transfer of immunity to lambs

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition and the IgG concentration of the colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk of Santa Inês ewes as well as the transfer of passive immunity to lambs. Thirty-two pregnant ewes and 38 lambs were used. Ewes were milked immediately after lambing and at 12, 24, 36 h and 10 d postpartum. Colostrum was provided to the lambs at 40±15 min (mean±SE) after birth and then at 30-min intervals for obtaining the intake closest to 10% of body weight, and transitional milk was provided ad libitum. Blood from the lambs was collected 36 h after birth for measuring the serum concentrations of IgG, total protein, albumin, and gamma-globulin. The production was lower in primiparous than in multiparous ewes with body condition score (BCS)<2.75, but did not differ between primiparous and multiparous with BCS≥2.75 (interaction parity and BCS). The IgG concentration and fat, protein, lactose, and defatted dry extract percentages were not affected by the BCS of the ewe at lambing or by the parity. The total solids percentage in the colostrum was higher in ewes with BCS<2.75 (interaction BCS and time). The production and the protein, total solid, and defatted dry extract percentages showed quadratic behavior, the fat percentage decreased linearly, and the lactose percentage increased linearly with time postpartum. The IgG concentration in the colostrum was not correlated with the ewe's weight or BCS at the time of lambing. Moreover, the parity, the BCS, the ewe's type of gestation, and the lamb's sex did not influence the serum concentrations of IgG, total protein, albumin, and gamma-globulin in lambs. Adequate passive immune transfer (PIT) was observed in lambs for which the IgG intake was higher than 30 g. Failure in PIT was observed in 39.5% of lambs when considering a serum IgG concentration lower than 15 mg/mL and in 21% when considering a serum total protein concentration lower than 45 mg/mL. The mean apparent efficiency of absorption was 38.10%, with values between 0.02% and 98.80%. The serum IgG concentration was correlated with the total protein concentration (according to the enzymatic colorimetric method), the gamma-globulin concentration, and the absorption efficiency. The extreme variation on apparent efficiency of absorption may have an effect on the success of PIT. Lambs should consume at least 30 g of IgG in the first 24 h of life to ensure adequate PIT.

Modelling the Dynamics of Post-Vaccination Immunity Rate in a Population of Sahelian Sheep after a Vaccination Campaign against Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus

“…Moreover, forage availability is at its minimum level: most sheep are underfed and in a poor body condition. In this physiological status, the immunized system of sheep does not operate correctly, with a low globulin rate and a reduced immunized response to the vaccine [69–72]. In addition, sheep are left straying freely and they need to be gathered for the vaccination, which is a cumbersome work for the farmers at this period.…”

The effect of ewe body condition at lambing on growth of lambs and colostral specific gravity

“…Jalilian and Moeini (2013) also stated that colostrum production (10 and 18 h postpartum) of ewes with BCS of 3 was higher than ewes with BCS of 2, 2.5 and ≥ 3.5 (P < 0.05). However, BCS of ewe at lambing had no effect on colostrum IgG concentration (Al-Sabbagh et al, 1995;Boucher, 2014;Alves et al, 2015).…”

Performance and serum cortisol concentration in Santa Inês lambs under different suckling schemes

“…In Santa Inês ewes, Alves et al (2015) reported 16.97% total solids, 5.77% fat, and 5.39% protein at the 10th day postpartum. Moreover, in contrast to cow milk, sheep milk is composed of fat globules that have a higher surface to enzymatic activity due to the reduced size and higher triglyceride percentage, which allows easier digestion.…”