Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/15604
Title: Immune response of twin-bearing Merino ewes when infected with 'Haemonchus contortus': Effects of fat score and prepartum supplementation
Contributor(s): Macarthur, Fiona Anne  (author); Kahn, Lewis  (author)orcid ; Windon, R G (author)
Publication Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.08.017
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/15604
Abstract: The benefit of providing prepartum protein supplementation to twin-bearing Merino ewes with low and high fat score (FS; measure of soft tissue depth related to fatness) was investigated to quantify effects on host resilience and immunity to 'Haemonchus contortus'. The experiment was conducted on low quality pastures from day (d) -91 to weaning at d 52, relative to the mid-point of lambing (d 0). The experimental design consisted of two feeding regimes designed to achieve FS targets of 2 (low) and 4 (high) by d -47 followed by allocation to protein supplementation groups (0 or 200 g/d cottonseed meal; CSM) until d 10. Throughout the experiment there were two infection groups (0 or 750 'H. contortus' third stage larvae (L₃)/week). Peri and postparturient ewes were susceptible to 'H. contortus' shown as a rise in worm egg count (WEC). High FS group ewes had a significant benefit in terms of protection against 'H. contortus', but this was restricted to the prepartum period. There were no benefits of supplemental protein which did not enhance protective immunity. Lower prepartum WEC from high FS ewes was associated with higher levels of circulating eosinophils but a general decline in counts occurred prior to parturition. Infected ewes had elevated antibody titres and a greater number of mast cells in abomasal tissue at slaughter on d 52. The results suggest that sufficient fat and protein reserves are important for twin-bearing Merino ewes during pregnancy to elevate the immune response against 'H. contortus' whereas strategic prepartum protein supplementation had no benefit.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Livestock Science, 157(2-3), p. 568-576
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Place of Publication: Netherlands
ISSN: 1871-1413
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070708 Veterinary Parasitology
070205 Animal Protection (Pests and Pathogens)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300909 Veterinary parasitology
300304 Animal protection (incl. pests and pathogens)
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830311 Sheep - Wool
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 100413 Sheep for wool
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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