The effect of colostrum source (goat vs. sheep) and timing of the first colostrum feeding (2 h vs. 14 h after birth) on body weight and immune status of artificially reared newborn lambs

Abstract

Several factors can affect lamb body weight (BW) and immune status during the first days of life, including colostrum source and timing of the first colostrum feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of colostrum source (goat or sheep) and timing of the first colostrum feeding (2 or 14 h after birth) on lamb BW and immune status. In this study, 40 lambs were removed from their dams at birth and randomly assigned into 4 groups of 10 lambs each. Lambs were subsequently fed at 2 or 14 h after birth with goat or sheep colostrum. Blood samples and BW recording were performed before feeding. Blood plasma was used to measure the immunoglobulin concentration (IgG and IgM), chitotriosidase activity, and complement system activity (total and alternative pathways). In general, no differences in any of the measured variables were observed among the 4 groups, indicating that neither colostrum source nor timing of the first colostrum feeding had an effect on these variables. These findings may improve management on lamb farms that raise animals under artificial conditions, because our results indicate that it is not necessary to feed colostrum to lambs immediately after birth and that goat colostrum may be used to feed newborn lambs.

The effect of colostrum period management on BW and immune system in lambs: from birth to weaning

“…This fact could explain the greater IgG concentrations seen in the blood plasma of lambs from the C8 group compared to lambs from the C4 group. Finally, it has been described that lambs fed bovine colostrum run the risk of developing anemia (Winter, 2011), and the use of caprine colostrum as an alternative way to feed lambs in early life has been recommended (Hernández-Castellano et al, 2015b).A similar evolution was observed in the case of IgM concentration in blood plasma, although this immunoglobulin was not detectable at birth in any of the studied groups. A rapid increase of IgM in blood plasma was seen in NR, C4 and C8 lambs 1 to 2 days after birth (1.63, 0.35 and 2.84 mg of IgM/ml, in NR, C4 and C8 groups at day 1 after birth, respectively, P < 0.05).…”

“…Complement system activity (total complement activity, TCA and alternative complement activity, ACA) was measured by the hemolytic rate according to a novel technique described by Moreno-Indias et al (2012) and Hernández-Castellano et al (2015b) in goat kid blood serum and lamb blood plasma, respectively. In this technique, a DGHB ++ buffer (Hepes Gelatin Veronal Buffer with Ca ++ and Mg ++: 5 mM HEPES, 71 mM NaCl, 0.15 mM CaCl2, 0.5 mM MgCl2, 2.5% (w/v) glucose, 0.1% (w/v) gelatin, pH 7.4) is used to measure total complement system activity, and DGHB-Mg-EGTA buffer (4.2 mM Hepes, 59 mM NaCl, 7.0 mM MgCl2, 2.08% (w/v) glucose, 0.08% (w/v) gelatin, 10 mM EGTA, pH 7.4) is used to measure the alternative pathway.…”

“…In fact, colostrum contains a complex mixture of proteins that actively participate in the protection of the neonate (passive immune transfer (PIT)) against pathogens and other postpartum environmental challenges (Bendixen et al, 2011). Moreover, colostrum has diverse components such as fat, lactose, vitamins or minerals that have high nutritional importance (Ontsouka et al, 2003;Lérias et al, 2014;Hernández-Castellano et al, 2014b).…”

“…In fact, colostrum contains a complex mixture of proteins that actively participate in the protection of the neonate (passive immune transfer (PIT)) against pathogens and other postpartum environmental challenges (Bendixen et al, 2011). Moreover, colostrum has diverse components such as fat, lactose, vitamins or minerals that have high nutritional importance (Ontsouka et al, 2003;Lérias et al, 2014;Hernández-Castellano et al, 2014b).In particular, colostrum plays an important role in newborn lambs, because they are born hypogammaglobulinemic, † E-mail: noemi.castro@ulpgc.es Animal (2015), 9:10, pp 1672-1679 © The Animal Consortium 2015 doi:10.1017/S175173111500110X animal 1672 due to the complexity of the synepitheliochorial ruminant placenta, which does not allow sufficient transfer of immunoglobulins from the dam to the fetus (Hernández-Castellano et al, 2014a). In addition, it has been described that lambs not fed colostrum in the first hours of life are more susceptible to diseases and mortality (Ahmad et al, 2000;da Nobrega et al, 2005;Nowak and Poindron, 2006).…”

“…The complement system activity -comprising the total (TCA) and alternative (ACA) pathways -plays an important role in host defense mechanisms against infectious microbes, because it is involved in specific and non-specific immunity (Rodríguez et al, 2009;Hernández-Castellano et al, 2015b). There are few studies about the complement system activity in sheep and lambs, with the exception of the study published by Hernández-Castellano et al (2015b) and Hernández-Castellano et al (2015c), as these studies are based on an old determination technique (Oswald et al, 1990).The aim of this study was to investigate the BW and immune status of lambs reared under natural conditions and lambs reared under artificial conditions fed two different colostrum amounts (4 g IgG/kg of BW at birth and 8 g IgG/kg of BW at birth) and milk replacer. …”