A study on influence of acquired colostrum immunity on Lori-Bakhtiari lambs efficiency

In this study the number of 71 head of conceived ewe from the flock of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep (with number of 360 head), in Sholi Station selected as randomly to determine influence of acquired colostrum immunity on mortality rate and performance of growth traits in lambs. The sampling of blood of ewe, colostrum of ewe and blood of lamb were taken 2 weeks before parturition, 1 to 8 hours after parturition and 36 hours after birth of lamb, respectively. The serum samples extracted and then measured immunoglobulin G (mg/ml) and total serum protein (gr/l) in samples. Results showed that the overall mean of immunoglobulin G (mg/ml) were 21.33, 48.48 and 7.86 for blood serum of ewe, serum colostrum of ewe and serum blood of lamb and total serum protein (gr/l) were 71.98, 114.48 and 65.77, respectively. The least square means of all traits were significantly (P<0.05) lower in died lambs. The concentration of immunity traits in serum of ewes, lambs and colostrums of ewes were not significant on performance of growth traits in lambs (P>0.05). Thus, lamb mortality can be reduced through improving the immunity level in blood of lambs by improving immunity level of ewes (through nutritional supplementation) before parturition.