Effect of Immunological Responses of Baladi and Shami Does on Mortality Rate of their Offsprings during Post-Partum Period

Abstract

The main goal of the present experiment is to scrutinize the effect of the maternal immunity on their kids and it's relation to neonatal mortality in Baladi and Shami goat's kids during post-partum period (1st month post-partum). This study was conducted at the Ras Sudr Research Station of the Desert Research center, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt. Fifty clinically healthy adult, 18 months old, estrus synchronized does of two breeds of goats were grouped in two groups according to their breed. The first group contained 25 Baladi does (21.27 kg average body weight) and the second group contained 25 Shami does (35.35 kg average body weight). All dams of both groups were naturally mated. All kids were left with their mothers during the study period (one month) and fed only with colostrum and maternal milk. White blood cells (WBCs) and its differential count, serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were determined in both dams groups at pre-partum and post-partum and in their kids at the first month postpartum. Dead kids were dissected and spleens were prepared for histopathological studies. Results demonstrated that, Baladi dams showed insignificant increase in WBCs as compared to Shami does. It was obvious that, Baladi does showed insignificant increase in neutrophils and monocytes and insignificant decrease in lymphocytes in comparison with Shami does. Concerning physiological status, significant changes were observed among WBCs and its differential count of Baladi and Shami does during experimental period. Kid's WBCs and lymphocytes were insignificantly higher in Shami kids than in Baladi kids, while neutrophils and monocytes were insignificantly lower in Shami kids. Concerning post-partum days, there was a significant increase in the values of WBC, monocytes and neutrophils throughout the 30-days post-partum in both kids groups .The present study revealed that serum IgM was significantly higher in Baladi does (0.91 mg/ml) than in Shami does (0.40 mg/ml) by a percentage of 127.5%. IgM level was significantly increased during pregnancy status and the high level was recorded in late gestation (0.75 mg/ml). Maternal breed indicated a significant effect on kid's serum IgM concentration. IgM was significantly higher in Baladi kids (0.27 mg/ml) than in Shami kids (0.11 mg/ml) by a percentage of 145.45%. Serum IgM concentrations significantly increased during neonatal period. The overall mean for IL -6 was significantly higher in Shami does than in Baladi does by a percentage of 65.63%. Concerning the influence of physiological status, IL -6 level increased significantly at post-partum in Shami does while pregnancy period had no significant effect on IL -6 concentration in both breeds . The overall mean for IL-6 was significantly higher in Shami kids (27.22 pg/ml) than in Baladi kids (9.58 pg/ml) by a percentage of 184.13%. Serum IL-6 showed a significant reduction during neonatal period in kids on 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. Histological alterations of kid's spleen revealed depl...