Study links ewe nutrition with lamb immunity
The study revealed the benefits of an on-farm diagnostic blood-based test.
New research has revealed how a ewe’s condition and management can influence the health of their offspring in lowland sheep flocks.
Researchers saw how maternal nutrition influenced the transfer of antibodies in colostrum from the mother to her offspring.
The discovery was made by a research team, led by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. The team conducted on-farm blood tests during the lambing season of a flock of lowland sheep.
Blood tests revealed that low levels of the blood marker albumin could be associated with lamb losses in the last weeks of pregnancy. Albumin is considered to be a marker of long-term protein status.
Researchers also found that high levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) was linked with a failed transfer immunity through colostrum to lambs. BOHB is a marker of short-term energy status.
Both low levels of albumin and high levels of BOHB were associated with poor ewe nutrition or health, impacting pregnancy and lactation.
Lambs with low level immunity were also more likely to have reduced growth within the flock.
Researchers say that this discovery demonstrates the opportunities for lowland farming systems to improve ewe health and nutrition, and therefore improve lamb survival. The study also revealed that there was no significant effect to administering oral antibiotics to newborn lambs at birth.
The study also found that the on-farm diagnostic blood-based test could be used instead of the conventional lab test used for antibody levels. The blood-based test proved efficient for assessing the transfer of immunity from ewes to lambs via colostrum.
The blood-based diagnostic technique is already used for calves, but is not commonly applied to lambs.
Rob Kelly, clinical veterinary lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “Our results provide much-needed evidence on the factors that influence the successful transfer of immunity from ewes to newborn lambs via colostrum to help optimise efficient lamb production in UK lowland flocks.
“We also highlight a useful of serum total protein as an indicator for passive transfer of immunity status in lambs. The next steps are to set a cut-off for adequate passive transfer of immunity so farmers and vets can target interventions to maximise lamb survival in UK sheep flocks.”
The study into the ewe-lamb transfer of immunity can be read here. The study into the on-farm diagnostic test to assess transfer can be read here.
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