title: Interactions between nutritional approaches and defences against microbial diseases in small ruminants.
abstract: Objective of this review is to discuss the role of small ruminant diet in the defence of these animals against microbial diseases, in relation to different experimental approaches and various stressors acting on animals. The effects of various diets in immune reactions and animal defences are presented. Also, effects in relation to the species studied and the type of stressors acting on animals are discussed. Evidence is provided about the significance of the diet in enhancing immune responses of small ruminants during specific conditions, e.g., around parturition, during lactation, as well as in growing lambs or kids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences of Agriculture, Food and Environment (SAFE), University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy. Electronic address: mariangela.caroprese@unifg.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caroprese
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Giannenas
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fthenakis
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006041:Goats / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation / Q000276:immunology; D036801:Parturition / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000276:immunology*; D012418:Ruminants / Q000276:immunology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: Diet supplementation; Goat; Immune response; Sheep