Effects of parity and litter size on the energy contents and immunoglobulin G concentrations of Awassi ewe colostrum
This study determined the energy content and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of Awassi ewe colostrum and examined the effects of parity and litter size on them. Colostral samples were collected from 57 ewes from the 1st to 7th parities with a litter size of 1 or 2, within 12 h after lambing. Concentrations of colostral fat, lactose, and protein were measured as energy sources, and IgG was measured as representative of the immunoglobulin content of the colostrum. Mean values obtained from analyses of the ewe colostrum samples were 7.4 ± 2.1 kJ/g for the energy value and 60.9 ± 21.4 mg/mL for IgG. Ewe parity did not influence colostral energy content, whereas the IgG concentration of the colostrum obtained from the primiparous ewes was higher than that from the multiparous ewes (P < 0.05). Among the multiparous ewes, the colostrum obtained from ewes carrying twins showed higher energy content and IgG concentrations than that from those carrying a single lamb (P < 0.05).
Effects of parity and litter size on the energy contents and immunoglobulin G concentrations of Awassi ewe colostrum
This study determined the energy content and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of Awassi ewe colostrum and examined the effects of parity and litter size on them. Colostral samples were collected from 57 ewes from the 1st to 7th parities with a litter size of 1 or 2, within 12 h after lambing. Concentrations of colostral fat, lactose, and protein were measured as energy sources, and IgG was measured as representative of the immunoglobulin content of the colostrum. Mean values obtained from analyses of the ewe colostrum samples were 7.4 ± 2.1 kJ/g for the energy value and 60.9 ± 21.4 mg/mL for IgG. Ewe parity did not influence colostral energy content, whereas the IgG concentration of the colostrum obtained from the primiparous ewes was higher than that from the multiparous ewes (P < 0.05). Among the multiparous ewes, the colostrum obtained from ewes carrying twins showed higher energy content and IgG concentrations than that from those carrying a single lamb (P < 0.05).
___
- Galal, S., Gürsoy, O., Shaat, I.: Awassi sheep as a genetic resource and efforts for their genetic improvement – a review. Small Rumin. Res., 2008; 79: 99–108.
- Epstein, H.: Awassi sheep. World Anim. Rev., 1982; 44: 11–27.
- Nowak, R., Poindron, P.: From birth to colostrum: early steps leading to lamb survival. Reprod. Nutr. Dev., 2006; 46: 431– 4
- Steiber, O., Bodnár, Á., Kispál, T.: Impact of the artificial rearing system on Awassi lambs’ behaviour and growth performance – a new approach of sheep husbandry in subtropical countries. Conference on International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development. 2008.
- Mellor, D.: Meeting colostrum needs of newborn lambs. In Pract., 1990; 12: 239–244.
- Gilbert, R.P., Gaskins, C.T., Hillers, J.K., Parker, C.F., McGuire, T.C.: Genetic and environmental factors affecting immunoglobulin G1 concentrations in ewe colostrum and lamb serum. J. Anim. Sci., 1988; 66: 855–863.
- Dwyer, C.M., Morgan, C.A.: Maintenance of body temperature in the neonatal lamb: effects of breed, birth weight, and litter size. J. Anim. Sci., 2006; 84: 1093–1101.
- Šebek, L.B.J., Everts, H.: Prediction of the gross energy of ewe milk. Anim. Prod., 1992; 56: 101–106.
- Şahan, N., Say, D., Kaçar, A.: Changes in chemical and mineral contents of Awassi ewes’ milk during lactation. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci., 2005; 29: 589–593.
- Tsiplakou, E., Mountzouris, K.C., Zervas, G.: The effect of breed, stage of lactation and parity on sheep milk fat CLA content under the same feeding practices. Livest. Sci., 2006; 105: 162–167.
- Wohlt, J.E., Kleyn, D.H., Vandernoot, G.W., Selfridge, D.J., Novotney, C.A.: Effect of stage of lactation, age of ewe, sibling status, and sex of lamb on gross and minor constituents of Dorset ewe milk. J. Dairy Sci., 1981; 64: 2175–2184.
- Hadjipanayiotou, M.: Composition of ewe, goat and cow milk and of colostrum of ewes and goats. Small Rumin. Res., 1995; 18: 255–262.
- Eales, F.A., Small, J.: Effects of colostrum on summit metabolic rate in Scottish blackface lambs at five hours old. Res. Vet. Sci., 1981; 30: 266–269.
- Mellor, D.J., Cockburn, F.: A comparison of energy metabolism in the new-born infant, piglet and lamb. Q. J. Exp. Physiol., 1986; 71: 361–379. al-Sabbagh, T.A., Swanson, L.V., Thompson, J.M.: The effect of ewe body condition at lambing on colostral immunoglobulin G concentration and lamb performance. J. Anim. Sci., 1995; 73: 2860–2864.
- Gardner, R.W., Hogue, D.E.: Effects of energy intake and number of lambs suckled on milk yield, milk composition and energetic efficiency of lactating ewes. J. Anim. Sci., 1964; 23: 935–942.
- Russet, A.: Nutrition of the pregnant ewe. In Pract., 1985; 7: 23–