Quantitative and qualitative studies of colostral and serum immunoglobulins and its relation to the transfer of maternal immunity to Finn., Rahmani sheep and their crosses.
Abstract: The Present study was carried out to examine putative differences between Rahmani and Finnish ewes, which were allowed to naturally mate with Finnish or Rahmani rams, and Rahmani and finnish ewes which were subjected to embryo transfer-experiments in terms of total protein, total leukocyte counts as well as concentrations of serum and colostral 1gG and 1gM. Comparisons were exended to involve ewes and their pure-bred and cross-bred lambs resulting from both natural-mating as well as embryo transfer experiments.
Total leukocyte counts were not significant among all ewe groups, breed and age, where the trend of total leukocyte counts showed a similar decrease during lactation period. Total leukocytes counts among lamb breed groups produced from natural mating or embryo transfer experiments were significantly lower comparing to their dams in the first 4 weeks of lactation. The trend of total leukocyte counts of all lamb groups exhibited a similar rise during the period of lactation.
Serum total protein was insignificant among lamb and ewe or breed. Colostral total protein of all ewe groups ranged from 21.00 to 28.75 mg/ml, where ewe breed, age and group have no effect on its level.
Serum IgG levels were in-significantly among ewes of the different breed or age. IgG level of all ewe groups peaked during the5- 7 weeks of lactation to return to its original levels during the last week of lactation. I gG levels among naturally mated ewes and ewes subjected to embryo transfer experiments, exhibited the same tendency to increase during the period of lactation.
Colostral IgG levels were insignificant among ewes of different breeds, where presuckling colostral samples contained higher IgG level comparing to samples which were taken post suckling. Colostral IgG levels dropped on day 7 of lactation, and continued to decrease until the end of lactation to remain in a low level.
All lambs breed groups, which resulted from natural mating or embryo transfer had serum IgG levels lower than that of their dams where presuckling serum samples had lower 1gG level than samples taken after suckling. IgG levels start to increase in all lamb groups from week 4 or 5 of lambing to the end of suckling period to reach a level equal to that of their dams. Lambs serum IgG level was negatively correlated with colostral IgG in the naturally mated while positive correlation was indicated among lambs produced from embryo transfer.
Serum IgM levels was insignificant among ewes of the different breed or age. IgM levels dropped in all ewe groups in the fifth week of lactation, re-increased by the six week to remain rather constant to the end of lactation. Serum IgM level was negatively correlated with level of IgG in serum.
Colostral IgM level was in-significantly among ewes of the different breed or age. Presuckling samples had slightly higher IgM level than samples which taken after lambs had suckled. IgM levels of all ewe breed groups showed a gradual decrease, re-increased and than decrease again to the end of lactation. Positive correlation was indicated between serum and milk IgM level. On the other hand,milk IgM level was positively correlated with milk IgG.
Lambs serum IgM level dropped at week 4 of suckling period in all lamb breed groups, re-rise again at week 5 to reach a level almost equal to that of their dams at the end of suckling. IgM levels of all lamb breed groups tended to decrease, except for pure Rahani lambs, where IgM level tended to increase. Serum IgM levels of the naturally group was positively correlated with milk IgM,while lambs produced from embryo transfer showed a negative correlation between serum IgM and milk IgM. A positive correlation was indicated between serum IgG and IgM levels.
In conclusion, since embryo transfer technique does not affect the mechanism of antibody transfer from mother to the newborn, whatever its breed The use of embryo transfer to transfer the genetic materials of high fertility sheep to local sheep could be recommended.
Publication year 1995
Availability location مكتبة معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد - الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number 478
Organization Name
Country Egypt
Department Sheep and Goat Research Department
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Veterinary science and hygiene - General aspects
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Embryo transfer. Fertility. Genetic inheritance. Immunity. Sheep.
Publication Type Master Thesis
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