Effect of passive transfer status on preweaning growth performance in dairy lambs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of passive transfer status, determined by measuring serum IgG concentration 24 hours after parturition, on preweaning growth performance in dairy lambs.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
20 healthy Sardinian dairy lambs.


METHODS
Serum IgG concentration was measured 24 hours after birth. Body weight was measured at birth and at the time of weaning 28 days (ie, 27 to 29 days) after birth. Mean daily gain from birth to day 28 and day 28 weight were used as measures of preweaning growth performance. Regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and measures of preweaning growth performance.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth was 24.6 +/- 17.5 mg/mL. Mean body weights at birth and weaning were 2,696 +/- 937 g and 9,253 +/- 2,116 g, respectively, and mean daily gain was 234 +/- 63 g/d. No significant association was detected between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and birth weight. However, serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth was significantly associated with mean daily gain (R(2) = 0.25). Each 1 mg/mL increase in serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth was associated with a 1.8 g/d increase in mean daily gain and a 60.8-g increase in day 28 weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicated that passive transfer status, determined as serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth, was a significant source of variation in preweaning growth performance in dairy lambs.
Massimini
Genesio
G
School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Viale Europa Campus Universitario di Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Britti
Domenico
D
Peli
Angelo
A
Cinotti
Stefano
S
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D001724:Birth Weight; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain
D007074:Immunoglobulin G