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.

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 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 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 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.

Suckler cow colostrum yield and immunoglobulin concentrations and their calves' serum immunoglobulin concentrations

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 198-198
Author(s):  
M. McGee ◽  
M.J. Drennan ◽  
P.J. Caffrey
Keyword(s):  
Calf Serum ◽  
Serum Immunoglobulin ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Stomach Tube ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Colostrum Sample ◽  
First Time

The objective of this experiment was to study colostrum yields and immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations and subsequent calf serum Ig concentrations using mature suckler cows adequately fed pre-partum or severely feed restricted for the last 2 weeks of preganancy and 2 year old replacements heifers.Cows from a Limousin x Friesian spring calving suckler herd were used. There were 3 treatments 1) cows adequately fed pre-partum (second cut grass silage) (n=12) 2) , cows severely feed restricted for 2 weeks pre-partum (straw diet) (n=6) and, 3) two year old heifers calving for the first time and adequately fed (n=6). All animals were offered a suitable mineral/vitamin supplement. Colostrum yield was obtained by hand milking half the udder following an intramuscular oxytocin injection. Colostrum was then sampled. The objective was to feed the calf an allowance of 50g of colostrum /kg bodyweight via stomach tube. Actual colostrum intakes (g/kg bodyweight ± S.E.) were 47 ± 1.4, 48 ± 2.3 and 46 ± 1.9 for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Following an eight hour period when the calf was prevented from suckling (but left in the presence of the dam) a colostrum sample was obtained (2nd milking), the calf was blood sampled and then allowed to suckle as normal.

Effect of protein supplementation on the performance of intensively-fed weaned suckled bulls

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 117-117
Author(s):  
D Jacklin ◽  
I Rigby
Keyword(s):  
Protein Level ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Protein Concentrate ◽  
Mineral Contents ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Crude Protein Level

Two trials were carried out to examine the effects of crude protein level in rations for intensively-finished suckled bulls. In 1987/88 (Year 1) high levels were tested as a possible means of delaying finishing and in 1988/89 (Year 2) low levels were tested.In both years 54 Charolais x (Hereford x Friesian) bulls born in May-June were weaned in November, following paddock-grazing of cows and calves on permanent grassland. Following weaning, the bulls were housed in straw-bedded yards and offered wilted grass silage, with concentrate feed gradually increased. After 14 days the silage was removed and concentrates offered ad libitum. The bulls were allocated to 1 of 3 treatments with 2 replicates per treatment to provide 6 groups of 9 bulls. The experimental diets consisted of rolled barley with a pelleted protein concentrate and extra mineral supplement when appropriate, as described in Table 1. This resulted in diets with a range of protein but similar major mineral contents.

The effects of offering a concentrate or grass silage based diet to twin-bearing ewes in late pregnancy on ewe and lamb performance

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
T.M. Boland ◽  
L. Hayes ◽  
J.J. Murphy ◽  
J.J. Callan ◽  
T.F. Crosby
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Labour Supply ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Dietary Requirements ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Single Farm Payment

Approximately 75% of ewes are housed in Ireland for some portion of the winter, normally the late gestation period. This coincides with a large increase in dietary requirements, with 80% of lamb birth weight laid down in the final two months of gestation (Robinson, 1990) and also udder development during this period. Traditionally, these nutritional requirements were met by feeding grass silage ad libitum and supplementing with concentrates on a stepped rate with advancing pregnancy. With the introduction of the decoupled single farm payment and an ever-decreasing labour supply, sheep producers are looking for financially attractive, low labour alternatives and a concentrate based diet may be one such alternative. The objectives of this experiment were to compare an all concentrate diet supplemented with different fibre sources with the standard silage based diet supplemented with concentrates on feed intake, ewe performance and lamb growth to weaning.

Changes in nitrogen balance of dairy cows during the dry period and early lactation following different dry period diets

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 94-94
Author(s):  
J.M. Moorby ◽  
S. Miles ◽  
R.T. Evans ◽  
W.J. Fisher ◽  
D.W.R. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Ad Libitum

Increases in yields of milk and milk protein have been observed from dairy cows offered a high protein supplement during the dry period (Van Saun, Idleman and Sniffen, 1993; Moorby, Dewhurst and Marsden, 1996). One possible mechanism for this is an accumulation of maternal body protein during late pregnancy and its later release during lactation. This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of diet on the potential of dairy cows to accumulate and release body nitrogen over the course of the dry period and the first 20 weeks of lactation.Twelve multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were offered one of three diets for 6 weeks prior to calving, with 4 animals per diet, in an continuous design experiment. Animals were offered ad libitum access to A) grass silage only (medium protein), B) a grass silage/barley straw mix (60:40 on a dry matter basis) (low protein), or C) grass silage plus 0.5 kg/d high protein maize gluten meal (high protein). After calving, all animals were offered a standard lactation diet based on ad libitum grass silage plus 10 kg/d concentrate to week 12 of lactation, with 7 kg/d thereafter. Animals were housed in individual stalls for 6 d N-balance procedures on three separate occasions in two groups of six animals: during the dry period (at approximately 3 to 4 weeks before calving), early-lactation (weeks 7 to 8 after calving) and mid-lactation (weeks 17 to 18).

Effect of level of food intake in mid and late pregnancy on the performance of breeding ewes

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Wilkinson ◽  
D. M. B. Chestnutt
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Average Gain ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Average Loss ◽  
Ad Libitum

ABSTRACTIn three experiments pregnant ewes (mean weight 72·5 kg) were subjected to different planes of nutrition on grass silage-based diets during mid pregnancy and, in factorial designed trials with ad libitum silage or ad libitum silage + concentrates in late pregnancy. The high plane of mid-pregnancy nutrition resulted in an average gain of 11·5 kg between weeks 7 and 14 of pregnancy while the low plane gave an average loss of 3·5 kg during this period. These differences did not affect lamb birth weight but ewes on the high plane were 7·2 kg heavier after lambing than those on the low plane. The effect of plane of nutrition during mid pregnancy on silage intake during late pregnancy was variable but there was some evidence of a greater reduction in intake during the last few weeks of pregnancy following the high plane of mid-pregnancy nutrition. The higher plane of nutrition in late pregnancy resulted in higher ewe live weights as well as higher lamb birth weights and highest lamb birth weights occurred following restriction in mid pregnancy and a high plane of nutrition in late pregnancy.Plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate levels were variable but there was little evidence of an effect of mid-pregnancy nutrition although levels appeared to be increased by the low plane of nutrition in late pregnancy.

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