Lamb serum vitamin E and immunoglobulin G concentrations in response to various maternal mineral and iodine supplementation regimens

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Boland ◽  
J.J. Callan ◽  
P.O. Brophy ◽  
P.J. Quinn ◽  
T.F. Crosby
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Absorption Efficiency ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Iodine Supplementation

AbstractThe objective of the first of three studies (experiment 1) was to evaluate the effects of supplementing the pregnant ewe diet with high levels of minerals for the final 4 weeks of gestation on lamb serum vitamin E and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration at 24 h post partum. Sixty ewes were allocated to one of two treatments (no. =30) and offered a basal diet fortified with 52 g of supplementary minerals/vitamins containing Ca, Mg, Na, P, Co, I, Mn, Se, Zn and vitamin E (M1) for the final 4 weeks of pregnancy or no mineral/vitamin supplement was added (C1). Immediately after birth, lambs were allocated to one of four treatments in a 2×2 factorial design with the factors being ewe treatment (± minerals) and colostrum origin (± minerals). Irrespective of the colostrum origin, the progeny of the mineral supplemented ewes had lower serum vitamin E and IgG concentrations and IgG absorption efficiency at 24 h post partum ( P <0·001). In a second study (experiment 2), 44 ewes were allocated to one of four treatments (no. =11) in week 13 of pregnancy and offered a basal diet in addition to one of the following mineral/vitamin fortifications: 0 g (C2), 52 g of a mineral supplement as in experiment 1 (M2), a supplement as in M1 but with iodine excluded (-I), iodine only offered at a rate (40 mg per ewe per day) equivalent to 52 g of minerals (IO). When iodine was offered either M2 ( P <0·01) or (IO) ( P <0·001) it resulted in the progeny having a reduced serum vitamin E concentration at 24 h post partum. The -I progeny had higher serum vitamin E concentrations at 24 h post partum than the progeny of treatments C2, M2 ( P <0·01) and IO ( P <0·001). In a third study (experiment 3) the effect of incremental levels of iodine supplementation on lamb serum vitamin E concentration was studied. Forty-eight ewes were allocated to one of four treatments (no. =12) and offered the following levels of supplementary dietary iodine: 0 mg (C3), 8·9 mg (LI), 17·7 mg (MI) or 26·6 mg (HI) for the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. There was a linear ( P <0·001) reduction in lamb serum vitamin E concentration as maternal iodine supplementation increased. We conclude that when ewes are offered high levels of iodine during the final 6 weeks of gestation their progeny are pre-programmed in utero to have a reduced ability to absorb colostral vitamin E. These findings support our earlier studies and provide further evidence of the need to reduce the current toxicity values for iodine. for the ewe in late pregnancy.

The effect of varying levels of mineral and iodine supplementation to ewes during late pregnancy on serum immunoglobulin G concentrations in their progeny

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Boland ◽  
M. Guinan ◽  
P. O. Brophy ◽  
J. J. Callan ◽  
P. J. Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Absorption Efficiency ◽  
Serum Immunoglobulin ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Iodine Supplementation ◽  
Serum Igg ◽  
Ad Libitum

AbstractThree experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of varying levels of mineral and iodine supplements when offered to ewes in late pregnancy on lamb serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations. In experiment 1, 44 individually housed ewes were allocated to one of four treatments (no. = 11) and offered a basal diet of grass silage ad libitum which was supplemented with 500 g/day of a concentrate (190 g/kg of crude protein (CP)), in addition to mineral/vitamin fortification at the rate of 0 g (C), 17.3 g (LM), 34.6 g (MM) or 52.0 g (HM) per day for the final 7 weeks of pregnancy. The mineral/vitamin supplement contained Ca, P, Na, Mg, Mn, Se, I, Co, Mn and vitamin E. The ewes were milked at 1 h, 10 h and 18 h post partum and measured quantities of colostrum, proportional to lamb birth weight, were fed back to the lambs via a stomach tube. Treatment had no effect on total colostrum yield or total IgG yield to 18 h post partum (P > 0.05). There was a linear decrease in serum IgG concentration and IgG absorption efficiency as mineral supplementation increased (P < 0.001). In experiment 2, which was carried out in conjunction with experiment 1, 44 ewes were allocated to four treatments (no. = 11) and offered the same basal silage/concentrate diet as in experiment 1, in addition to receiving one of the following supplements : (C) control, as in experiment 1; (HM), as in experiment 1; (−I), ewes offered the same mineral/vitamin supplement as HM but with iodine excluded; (I0), ewes offered a daily mineral supplement of iodine only at a level of 40 mg per ewe, equivalent to the iodine inclusion in the 52 g of minerals offered in HM. The iodine-supplemented progeny (HM and IO) had lower (P < 0.001) serum IgG concentrations and higher soil scores (P < 0.05) than the C and −I progeny. In experiment 3, the effects of varying levels of iodine supplementation when offered to ewes during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy on lamb serum IgG values were examined. Forty-eight individually housed ewes were allocated to one of four treatments (no. = 12) and offered grass silage ad libitum, which was supplemented initially with 500 g of a concentrate (140 g/kg of CP) from days 99 to 130 of gestation and then replaced with 700 g/day of a concentrate (180 g/kg of CP) from day 131 of gestation until lambing. In addition, the diet of each ewe was supplemented on a daily basis with iodine at the rate of 0 mg (C), 8.9 mg (LI), 17.7 mg (MI) or 26.6 mg (HI). There was a negative linear reduction in serum IgG concentration and IgG absorption efficiency as maternal dietary iodine supplementation increased (P < 0.001). We conclude that supplementation of the ewe's diet in late pregnancy with 17.3 g of a mineral supplement as formulated in the current experiment lowers the lamb's ability to absorb colostral IgG, and offering only the iodine component of this mineral supplement, at a level which approximates to about one third of currently quoted toxicity levels, will result in reduced serum IgG concentration in the lamb. These findings suggest the need to re-examine current toxicity values for iodine.

The effects of mineral-block components when offered to ewes in late pregnancy on colostrum yield and immunoglobulin G absorption in their lambs

2004 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Boland ◽  
P. O. Brophy ◽  
J. J. Callan ◽  
P. J. Quinn ◽  
P. Nowakowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Absorption Efficiency ◽  
Current Experiment ◽  
Stomach Tube ◽  
Lower Serum ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Impaired Ability ◽  
Ad Libitum

AbstractNinety twin-bearing ewes were given food individually and allocated to five (no. = 18) treatments in order to determine the effects of supplementing their diet in late pregnancy with mineral-block components on colostrum production, lamb serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and colostral IgG absorption. Ewes were offered grass silage ad libitum, supplemented with 400 to 500 g per ewe per day of concentrates from day 99 of gestation, in addition to receiving one of the following supplements: C, (control) no supplement; B, mineral block; ML, liquid molasses; MN, granular minerals; ML + MN, liquid molasses and granular minerals. The experiment commenced on day 99 of gestation. Ewes were milked at lh, 10 h and 18 h post lambing and all lambs were fed measured quantities of colostrum, proportionate to birth weight, via stomach tube. Treatment had no effect (P > 0-05) on colostrum yield at lh, 10 h or 18 h post partum or on total colostrum yield to 18 h post partum. Ewes offered molasses (ML) or molasses plus minerals (ML + MN) had a lower colostral IgG concentration at lh post lambing than the control ewes (C) (P < 0-05). Ewes offered molasses (ML) also had a lower colostral IgG concentration than the control (C) at 10 h post partum (P < 0-05). Treatment had no effect on total IgG yield to 18 h post partum. When ewes were supplemented with minerals in any combination, with or without molasses (B, MN, ML + MN) it resulted in lambs having an impaired ability to absorb colostral IgG. Lambs from treatments B, MN and ML + MN had significantly poorer efficiency of colostral IgG absorption than lambs born to control ewes (C) or molasses (ML) supplemented ewes (P < 0-001). This in turn resulted in the progeny of mineral supplemented ewes (B, MN or ML + MN) having lower serum IgG concentration at 24 h post partum than either the control (C) or the molasses treatments (ML) (P < 0-001). When ewes were supplemented with molasses only (ML) lamb serum IgG content at 24 h was lower than in lambs born to control (C) ewes (P < 0-05) but this was as a result of a lower intake of colostral IgG (P < 0-05) and not a result of reduced IgG absorption efficiency. In conclusion, the data show that when ewe mineral intake is high in late pregnancy, as was the case in the current experiment, lamb serum IgG concentration and colostral IgG absorption efficiency are reduced. Further work is required to determine which component of the mineral formulation is responsible for this reduced IgG absorption efficiency and the mechanism through which this impaired efficiency operates.

The effects of iodine supplementation to the pregnant ewe on immunoglobulin G, vitamin E, T3 and T4 levels in the newborn lamb

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 114-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Boland ◽  
L. Hayes ◽  
J.J. Murphy ◽  
J.J. Callan ◽  
T. Sweeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Cellular Differentiation ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Metabolic Pattern ◽  
Iodine Supplementation ◽  
Pregnant Ewe ◽  
High Level

Lambs are born hypoimmunocompetent and are dependent on the absorption of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from colostrum for immunity in early life, similar to the situation with vitamin E (vit. E), which is also involved in maximising immunocompetence (Puls, 1994). High-level iodine supplementation during late gestation period of the ewe results in the production of progeny with an impaired ability to absorb colostral IgG and vit. E post partum (Boland et al., 2006). Iodine is essential in the synthesis of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3; McDonald et al., 2002) that regulate the metabolic pattern of most cells and play a vital role in the process of cellular differentiation, growth and development in the foetus and neonate (Stanbury, 1996). The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of offering supplementary iodine for the final three weeks of pregnancy on serum vit. E, IgG, T3 and T4 concentrations at 1h, 24h and 72h post partum.

scholarly journals Duality of Tocopherol Isoforms and Novel Associations with Vitamins Involved in One-Carbon Metabolism: Results from an Elderly Sample of the LifeLines Cohort Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 580
Author(s):  
Camilo G. Sotomayor ◽  
Isidor Minović ◽  
Manfred L. Eggersdorfer ◽  
Ineke J. Riphagen ◽  
Martin H. de Borst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Total Lipids ◽  
Metabolism Pathway ◽  
Age Related ◽  
One Carbon Metabolism ◽  
The One

Whether the affinity of serum vitamin E with total lipids hampers the appropriate assessment of its association with age-related risk factors has not been investigated in epidemiological studies. We aimed to compare linear regression-derived coefficients of the association of non-indexed and total lipids-indexed vitamin E isoforms with clinical and laboratory characteristics pertaining to the lipid, metabolic syndrome, and one-carbon metabolism biological domains. We studied 1429 elderly subjects (non-vitamin supplement users, 60–75 years old, with low and high socioeconomic status) from the population-based LifeLines Cohort and Biobank Study. We found that the associations of tocopherol isoforms with lipids were inverted in total lipids-indexed analyses, which may be indicative of overcorrection. Irrespective of the methods of standardization, we consistently found positive associations of α-tocopherol with vitamins of the one-carbon metabolism pathway and inverse associations with characteristics related to glucose metabolism. The associations of γ-tocopherol were often opposite to those of α-tocopherol. These data suggest that tocopherol isoforms and one-carbon metabolism are related, with beneficial and adverse associations for α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol, respectively. Whether tocopherol isoforms, or their interplay, truly affect the one-carbon metabolism pathway remains to be further studied.

AVOPARCIN, MONENSIN AND ZERANOL FOR STEERS FINISHING ON BARLEY DIETS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. H. COHEN ◽  
J. A. COOPER
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Production Trait ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Total Diet ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Basal Ration

Ninety Hereford steers, weighting 362 ± 30 kg, were allocated to three replications of six treatments as follows: basal diet which consisted of 5.9 ± 0.73 kg·head−1∙day−1 steam-rolled barley at the start of the trial (78% of total diet) increasing to 10.1 ± 0.52 kg·head−1∙day−1 by the end of the trial (85% of total diet), 0.72 kg·head−1∙day−1 grass hay and 1 kg of mineral/vitamin supplement; basal diet to which 400 mg·head−1∙day−1 avoparcin was added via the mineral supplement; basal ration with added monensin given via the mineral supplement at 280 mg·head−1∙day−1; basal diet with an ear implant of zeranol; basal diet, avoparcin and zeranol; basal diet, monensin and zeranol. Average daily liveweight gains (ADG), feed intakes and carcass characteristics were measured and feed:gain ratios were calculated. Avoparcin, monensin and zeranol, when given alone, did not significantly influence any measured production trait. However, avoparcin and zeranol, when given together, increased ADG by 20.3% and reduced feed:gain ratio by 15.3% (P < 0.05). Similarly, monensin and zeranol in combination increased ADG by 24.6% and reduced feed:gain ratio by 20.7% (P < 0.05). Carcass characteristics were not influenced by any of the treatments. Key words: Avoparcin, monensin, zeranol, barley, beef steers

The effect of timing of mineral supplementation of the ewe diet in late pregnancy on immunoglobulin G absorption by the lamb

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Guinan ◽  
G. Harrison ◽  
T. M. Boland ◽  
T. F. Crosby
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Vitamin Supplementation ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Mineral Supplementation ◽  
Serum Igg ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Dietary Treatments

AbstractTwo experiments were carried out to examine the effects of the timing and duration of mineral supplementation of the ewe's diet in the final 6 weeks of gestation on immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption by their progeny. In experiment 1, 60 single-bearing ewes were allocated to one of four dietary treatments (no. = 15) and offered a basal diet of grass silage ad libitum, containing 50 g/kg molassed sugar-beet pulp, which was supplemented with concentrates for the final 7 weeks of pregnancy and were additionally provided with a daily mineral/vitamin supplement for the final 6 weeks (W-6), 4 weeks (W-4), 2 weeks (W-2) or no mineral/vitamin supplement, (control; W-0). The supplement contained Ca, P, Na, Mg, Mn, Zn, Se, Co, I and vitamin E and was offered at the daily rate of 48 g per ewe. The ewes were milked at 1, 10 and 18 h post partum and measured quantities of colostrum, proportional to birth weight were fed back to the progeny via a stomach tube. At each milking, colostrum yield was recorded and colostrum samples taken to determine the concentration and yield of IgG. Treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on the yields of colostrum or IgG to 18 h post partum. The efficiency of IgG absorption was lower (P < 0.001) in the progeny of ewes who received supplementary minerals (W-6, 0.069, W-4, 0.078, W-2, 0.072, W-0, 0.261; s.e. 0.0244. P < 0.001) regardless of the duration of the mineral/vitamin supplementation period and this resulted in a reduced concentration of IgG in the lamb's serum. In experiment 2, 40 twin-bearing ewes were allocated to one of four dietary treatments (no. = 10) and offered a basal diet of grass silage ad libitum which was supplemented initially with 500 g of a concentrate containing 140 g crude protein (CP) per kg from day 98 to 133 of gestation and then replaced with 700 g/day of a concentrate containing 180 g/kg CP from day 134 of gestation until lambing, in addition to one of the following mineral/vitamin supplementation treatments : no supplementary minerals, W0 (control); 48 g of supplement per ewe per day in weeks 6 and 5 pre- partum (W6–5), or weeks 4 and 3 pre-partum (W4–3), or for the final 2 weeks pre-partum (W2–1). The ewes were milked and the lambs fed as in experiment 1. Again, treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on the yields of colostrum or IgG to 18 h post partum. When ewes were offered the mineral/vitamin supplement in the final 2 weeks of gestation their progeny had a lower (P < 0.01) serum IgG concentration (4.6 g/l) than in the control treatment (14.0 g/l) or when the supplement was offered either in weeks 3 and 4 (11.3 g/l) or weeks 5 and 6 pre-partum (14.3 g/l). IgG absorption efficiency followed the same pattern as lamb serum IgG concentration. We conclude that supplementation of the ewe's diet at the level used in these studies for the final 2 weeks of pregnancy results in the production of offspring with a reduced ability to absorb colostral IgG. Furthermore, in order for this impairment of the IgG absorptive ability of the lamb to manifest itself the supplementation must occur for the final 2 weeks of gestation and supplementation for a 2-weekly period earlier in gestation will not elicit the same effect.

The effects of offering mineral blocks to ewes pre-mating and in late pregnancy on block intake, pregnant ewe performance and immunoglobulin status of the progeny

2004 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. F. Crosby ◽  
T. M. Boland ◽  
P. O. Brophy ◽  
P. J. Quinn ◽  
J. J. Callan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Intake ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Blood Stream ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Flat Rate ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Serum Igg ◽  
Mating Time

AbstractTwo experiments were carried out to quantify the intake of mineral blocks by ewes in group- and individually fed situations, and to examine the effects of mineral block intake on food and water intake, colostrum production and lambs' immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption when ewes are individually housed and offered maize or grass silage with a concentrate supplement. In experiment 1, mineral blocks were offered to 359 ewes either when grazing at mating time (no. = 200) or, when indoors in the last 4 or 7 weeks of pregnancy, the latter as either twin-bearing ewes that were group-fed (no. = 18) or individually fed (no. = 27) or single-bearing ewes that were group-fed (no. = 114). Block intake was measured on a weekly basis. In experiment 2,a2X2 X 2 factorial design was used to compare the effects of forage (grass or maize silage), restricted mineral block access and added minerals/vitamins in the concentrate on food and water intakes, colostrum production and immunoglobulin absorption by the lamb using 64 twin- bearing ewes that were individually housed. Grass silage and maize silage were offered ad libitum, concentrates were offered at a flat rate of 400 g per head per day. Mineral blocks were offered to ewes for 3 h/day. Following lambing, the ewes were hand milked at 1,10 and 18 h post partum. Colostrum samples were assayed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) content. Lambs were blood sampled at 24 h old to determine serum IgG value. In experiment 1, mean daily mineral block intake per ewe was lowest at mating time (19 g) and highest when ewes were individually housed (194 g). In experiment 2, intakes of dry matter(DM) and energy were higher (F < 0.05) in the maize silage treatments. Similarly, when ewes had access to mineral blocks they had higher (P < 0.05) intakes of DM, energy and protein in addition to having a higher water intake (2.24 v. 0.771 per ewe per day; s.e. 0.139; P < 0.01). The mean total colostrum yield to 18 h post lambing at 1734 ±98.0 ml was unaffected by any of the treatments. When ewes had access to mineral blocks their lambs had lower (6.8 v. 18.8; s.e. 1.48; P < 0.01) serum IgG values and the efficiency of IgG absorption from the colostrum into the blood stream was reduced (0.097 v. 0.247; s.e. 0.0214; P < 0.01). In conclusion, the data show that there is wide variation in mineral block intake in different situations and that intake of some minerals can exceed toxic values. Additionally, when individually fed pregnant ewes have access to blocks for just 3 h/day, there is a significant increase in water intake and a dramatic reduction in lamb serum IgG concentration and in the efficiency of absorption of colostral IgG into the blood. We suggest that while mineral blocks can confer advantages in specific situations, there is the need to revisit their formulation and to further research the mode of action responsible for the compromised IgG absorption.

scholarly journals Protective role of supplemental vitamin E on lipid peroxidation, vitamins E, A and some mineral concentrations of broilers reared under heat stress

2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 140-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sahin ◽  
N. Sahin ◽  
M. Onderci ◽  
S. Yaralioglu ◽  
O. Kucuk
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Supplemental Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin E Supplementation

An experiment utilizing Cobb-500 male broilers was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation at various concentrations on malonyldialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, serum and liver concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and some minerals of broilers reared under heat stress (32&deg;C). One day-old 150 male broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups, 3 replicates of 10 birds each. The birds received either a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with vitamin E (dl-a-tocopherol acetate) at 62.5, 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg of diet. Increased supplemental vitamin E linearly increased serum vitamin E and A, but decreased (P&nbsp;= 0.001) MDA concentrations. Increasing dietary vitamin E supplementation also resulted in linear increases in liver vitamin E and A concentrations, but linear decreases in MDA concentrations (P&nbsp;= 0.01). Increasing dietary vitamin E caused a linear increase in serum concentrations of Fe and Zn (P= 0.001), but a decrease in serum concentration of Cu (P&nbsp;= 0.001). Results of the present study conclude that in broiler chicks reared under heat stress a 250 mg of vitamin E supplementation can be considered as a protective management practice in a broiler diet, reducing the negative effects of heat stress.

scholarly journals The effects of cobalt and iodine supplementation of the pregnant ewe diet on immunoglobulin G, vitamin E, T3 and T4 levels in the progeny

animal ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Boland ◽  
L. Hayes ◽  
T. Sweeney ◽  
J.J. Callan ◽  
A.W. Baird ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Iodine Supplementation ◽  
Pregnant Ewe

The effects of mineral block ingredients when offered to ewes in late pregnancy on Immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption in their lambs

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 197-197
Author(s):  
T. M. Boland ◽  
P. O. Brophy ◽  
J. J. Callan ◽  
P. J. Quinn ◽  
P. Nowakowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Absorption Efficiency ◽  
Maternal Immunity

Lambs are born hypoimmunocompetent as the placenta prevents the transfer of maternal immunity to the foetus of the ruminant. Colostrum is the source of imunoglobulins for the young lamb and any interference with the absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum would have important consequences for lamb liveability in early life. Recent experiments at this institute found that when ewes had access to mineral blocks in late pregnancy the absorption of immunoglobulin (IgG) by their offspring was reduced (Keane 2001). This author also stated that the lamb was preprogrammed in-utero for lowered IgG absorption efficiency. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether it was the mineral or molasses component of the mineral block which caused the reduced IgG absorption by the lamb.

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