Hazelnut Skin in Ewes’ Diet: Effects on Colostrum Immunoglobulin G and Passive Transfer of Immunity to the Lambs

Abstract

Passive immunity transfer has a pivotal role in newborn lambs, where the colostrum represents the primary source of immunoglobulins. This study hypothesized that the high content in polyphenolic compounds, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E of hazelnut skin affects blood and colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and related gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in sheep and their lambs. In the last 45 days of pregnancy, ewes were divided into a control (CTR) and a hazelnut skin supplemented group (HZN). Blood and colostrum were collected from ewes and lambs before the first suckling, at 24 and 48 h after birth, then IgG concentration, GGT and LDH activity levels were measured. IgG concentration in the colostrum and in lamb’s serum were significantly greater in HZN than CTR. No significant difference was detected for ewe’s blood. A significant positive correlation was found between IgG and GGT in lambs’ serum and colostrum, between IgG and LDH, as well as between GGT and LDH in lambs’ serum and colostrum. Our results suggest that hazelnut skin supplementation influences IgG colostrum concentration, with improved immune passive transfer to the suckling lambs. The transfer of maternal derived immune factors is confirmed by the GGT and LDH enzyme activity levels.

Effects of Tea Tree Oil on Production Performance, Serum Parameter Indices, and Immunity in Postpartum Dairy Cows

“…IgA has a better immune function in the local mucosa of the respiratory tract and digestive tract and infected membrane tissue [30]. IgG is the main antibody in serum, accounting for about 75% of immunoglobulins, and it has the function of binding antigens to activate, complement, and kill pathogens to resist infection effectively [31]. IgG is the main component of antibacterial, antitoxin, and antiviral antibodies and is also an important material that provides dairy cows protection against infection.…”

Colostrum Induced Passive Immune Transfer in Lambs

“…Sufficient energy to the dam is ingesting and whether that meets its gestational requirements [44,45]. Viola et al [46] have shown that ewe's diet in the last period of gestation can effect colostral IgG concentration; for instance hazelnut skin in ewe's diet effects positively colostral IgG concentration. Under that condition, colostrum quality is associated directly to the dam's nutrition.…”

Colostrum induced passive immune transfer in lambs

“…Sufficient energy to the dam is ingesting and whether that meets its gestational requirements (Banchero et al, 2006;Muñoz et al, 2008). Viola et al (2022) have indicated that an ewe's diet in the last period of gestation can effect colostral IgG concentration; for instance hazelnut skin in ewe's diet effects positively colostral IgG concentration. Under that condition, colostrum quality is associated directly to the dam's nutrition.…”