Passive immune transfer in fat-tailed sheep: Evaluation with different methods

Passive immune transfer is the only way to provide protection in neonate ruminants. As it is suggested to be affected by both maternal and neonatal factors in different breeds, we tried to investigate possible effects of sex, litter type, ewe parturition number and birth weight on it and also on the immunoglobulin concentration during the first month of life in a fat-tailed sheep. Total immunoglobulin and IgG concentrations of 39 Shaul lambs were measured at days 3, 15 and 30 by quantitative zinc sulfate turbidity and serum radial immunodiffusion tests, respectively. To determine different serum protein concentration, cellulose acetate electrophoresis was applied. Sex, litter type, ewe parturition number and birth weight had no significant effects on passive transfer. Moreover, these factors had no impact on IgG catabolism and serum protein concentrations during the first month of life. Passive immune transfer in Shaul breed does not seem to be affected by sex, litter type, ewe parturition number and birth weight.