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Farooq U, Ahmed S, Liu G, Jiang X, Yang H, Ding J, Ali M. Biochemical properties of sheep colostrum and its potential benefits for lamb survival: a review. Anim Biotechnol 2024; 35:2320726. [PMID: 38436999 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2024.2320726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Colostrum is the initial secretion of the mammary glands following parturition, which offers main food, protection, and biological active substances for the new born. The most threatening episode of neonate's life is the initial two weeks after birth. This period is associated with high neonatal mortality and morbidity. These worthwhile losses lead to a poor prolificacy rate, low profitability, and ultimately poor performance in animal production. Hence, both diseases and mortality cause valuable losses in terms of production and economic losses. The survival of neonate is correlated with their immune status and passive immune transfer (PIT). Colostrum provides the primary source of nutrition and immunity (PIT) that protects neonates against infections. It must be given as soon as possible after birth since its immunoglobulins are absorbed within the first 16-27 hours after birth, ideally within 2-4 hours. As a result, immunoglobulin (PIT) is the most important component of distressing infectious immunity, and a passable concentration of immunoglobulin in the blood of newborn lambs is linked to their health and survival rate. In this review, we summarized the importance of colostrum in early life and its association with neonatal lamb's survival, profitability and productivity of sheep farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umar Farooq
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Livestock and Dairy Development Department Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Sohail Ahmed
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guiqiong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xunping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huiguo Yang
- Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumuqi, China
| | - Jianping Ding
- Anhui Anxin (Woyang) Animal Husbandry Development Co., Ltd., Bozhou, China
| | - Mehboob Ali
- State key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Genfors E, Lysholm S, Moliso MM, Ayele F, Wieland B, Magnusson U, Båge R. Herd health and reproductive management associated with lamb weight gain and mortality in sub-Saharan drylands-a case from Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:310. [PMID: 37733155 PMCID: PMC10514115 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03715-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Sheep are important for food and livelihood security in sub-Saharan Africa, and maximizing lamb weight gain while minimizing mortality is essential to improve production. Using the Menz sheep breeding villages of Amhara region in Ethiopia as a case study, the weight gain and mortality rate of 208 lambs were monitored during their first 5 months of life. The study was conducted in intervention and control villages, where the intervention villages were part of community-based breeding programmes and had participated in various projects aiming to improve sheep production and management. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to detect associations between weight gain from birth to 1 month, and birth to 5 months, and different lamb and ewe characteristics, farmer education, application of management routines, and presence of village level sheep management interventions. In general, lambs from intervention villages, without certain signs of diseases, whose mothers were 2 years or older, had a body condition score of more than 2 on a 5-point scale, and who originated from flocks where disease prevention strategies had been implemented, had gained more weight. Overall lamb mortality was 6.8% with most deaths occurring before 1 month of age. This study highlights that health interventions in ewes improve lamb survival and weight gain and that the care of lambs during the first month of life is crucial for overall herd productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Genfors
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Lysholm
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mesfin Mekonnen Moliso
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Firdawok Ayele
- Debre Berhan Agricultural Research Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Barbara Wieland
- Animal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ulf Magnusson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Renée Båge
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
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Hamer K, Bellingham M, Evans NP, Jones RO, Denholm KS. Defining optimal thresholds for digital Brix refractometry to determine IgG concentration in ewe colostrum and lamb serum in Scottish lowland sheep flocks. Prev Vet Med 2023; 218:105988. [PMID: 37541077 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
This research aimed to define thresholds for ewe colostrum and lamb serum Brix refractometer measurements in lowland Scottish sheep. This would facilitate the use of this convenient, sheep-side test, enabling quick and accurate identification of poor quality colostrum and prevention of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in lambs. Secondary aims were to identify risk factors for poor colostrum quality and FTPI in lambs. Serum samples (n = 233) were collected from lambs between 24 and 48hrs after birth, from four lowland Scottish meat sheep farms. Pre-suckle colostrum samples (n = 112) were also collected from ewes on two of these farms. Farmers provided information on litter size, ewe body condition score, ewe breed and dystocia. Duplicate digital Brix refractometer measurements were compared with immunoglobulin G (IgG) radial immunodiffusion (RID) testing for all colostrum and serum samples. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to redefine thresholds for Brix testing in colostrum and serum. Linear regression models were constructed with colostrum and serum IgG concentration as the outcomes of interest. Colostrum and serum IgG concentrations were highly variable. The prevalence of inadequate colostrum quality (using <50 g/L IgG on RID) was 4.5% (95% CI = 1.5 - 10.1) and the prevalence of FTPI (using <15 g/L IgG in serum on RID) was 7.73% (95% CI = 4.64-11.93). A ewe's colostrum IgG concentration was significantly and positively associated with the serum IgG concentration of her lamb(s) (p = 0.02). ROC analysis defined a Brix threshold for adequate colostrum quality of > 22.10% (sensitivity 80% (95%CI=28.4-99.5), specificity 90% (95%CI=82.3-94.8)). ROC analysis defined a Brix threshold for serum of > 8.65% for adequate passive transfer of immunity in Scottish lambs (sensitivity 94% (95%CI=72.7-99.8), specificity 82% (95%CI=76.6-87.2)). To optimise passive transfer of immunity in lambs, we suggest that ewe colostrum Brix measurements be defined as 'poor' (<22%); 'fair' (22-26%) and 'good' (>26%); and lamb serum as 'poor' (<8%); 'fair' (8-9%) and 'good' (>9%). It is recommended that these tests are used as for flock screening, using samples from multiple animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Hamer
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom.
| | - Michelle Bellingham
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Neil P Evans
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Rheinallt O Jones
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | - Katharine S Denholm
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
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Lotito D, Pacifico E, Matuozzo S, Musco N, Iommelli P, Zicarelli F, Tudisco R, Infascelli F, Lombardi P. Colostrum Composition, Characteristics and Management for Buffalo Calves: A Review. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050358. [PMID: 37235441 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, the composition, characteristics, and management of dairy buffalo calves were examined and compared with bovines. The neonatal period is critical for buffalo calves and is characterized by a high mortality rate (more than 40%). The early intake of high-quality colostrum (IgG > 50 mg/mL) is the one way to improve the immune system of calves (serum IgG > 10 mg/mL after 12 h), thus increasing their chances of survival. Mainly in intensive farms, the availability of high-quality colostrum is necessary; thus, good quality colostrum is often stored to provide newborn calves which cannot be fed by their mothers. Also, the manipulation of the immunological status of animals through vaccination has been depicted since the quality of colostrum tended to be influenced by vaccination against pathogens. Buffalo breeding is constantly expanding in Italy, mainly thanks to the Mozzarella cheese production that represents the excellence of the "Made in Italy" and is exported worldwide. Indeed, high calf mortality rates directly affect the profitability of the business. For these reasons, the aim of this review was to examine specific research on buffalo colostrum that, compared with other species, are scarce. Improving the knowledge of buffalo colostrum, in terms of characteristics and management, is critical to guarantee buffalo newborns' health in order to reduce their mortality rate. Importantly, considering the knowledge on cattle valid also for buffalo is a widespread, and often erroneous, habit in several fields, including colostrum feeding. Therefore, the two species were compared in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Lotito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pacifico
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Matuozzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nadia Musco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Piera Iommelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabio Zicarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Raffaella Tudisco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Federico Infascelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pietro Lombardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
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Ceniti C, Ambrosio RL, Bria J, Di Vito A, Tilocca B, Anastasio A, Britti D, Morittu VM, Chiarella E. Utilization of Dairy By-Products as a Source of Functional and Health Compounds-The Role of Ovine Colostrum and Milk Whey on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Foods 2023; 12:foods12091752. [PMID: 37174290 PMCID: PMC10178729 DOI: 10.3390/foods12091752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the search for food products that promote consumers' health has gained interest, and dairy by-products, due to their biological quality, could have a prominent position among products with health benefits. However, little is known about their activity on cancer cells. This study aimed to provide evidence about the effect of ovine colostrum and milk whey on K562 cells, a model of the human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line. The exposure of K562 cells to a single administration of sheep by-products at different concentrations for three days and three treatments for three days was carried out. Using a flow cytometric approach, we found that CD235a expression remained stable in the cells exposed to ovine whey (milk and colostrum) at concentrations ranging from 1 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL, after three days from one or three administrations, respectively. A significant reduction in fluorescent cells was observed in the populations exposed to 1 mg/mL of both milk and colostrum at the same time points. In these conditions, the size and granularity of the leukemic cells also changed, with a substantial reduction in the number of actively dividing cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. This phenomenon was highlighted by the Annexin V/PI cytofluorimetric test, which is able to provide quantitative results regarding the population of cells in early or late apoptosis or necrotic cells after exposure to a single dose or three doses of colostrum or sheep whey for three days, respectively. This report showed that both colostrum and milk whey were able to modify the phenotypic profile and cell cycle of the K562 cell line, inducing apoptosis at the highest concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Ceniti
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosa Luisa Ambrosio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Jessica Bria
- Laboratory of Morphology and Tissue Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Di Vito
- Laboratory of Morphology and Tissue Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bruno Tilocca
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Aniello Anastasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valeria Maria Morittu
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuela Chiarella
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Agenbag B, Swinbourne AM, Petrovski K, van Wettere WHEJ. Validation of a handheld refractometer to assess Merino ewe colostrum and transition milk quality. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:1394-1402. [PMID: 36460508 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Colostrum quality is generally defined by the IgG concentration in colostrum, and many methods have been used to assess it. Methods to measure colostrum quality both in the laboratory and in the field have been validated in cattle; however, this is only a recent topic of interest for sheep colostrum. Laboratory-based methods are often time consuming and require trained personnel compared with new handheld evaluation tools such as the digital Brix refractometer, which gives real-time results. The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the relationship between the digital Brix refractometer and constituents indicative of quality (IgG, protein, fat, and lactose) in colostrum and transition milk, and (2) determine an appropriate Brix % cut-off value for the Brix refractometer in sheep colostrum and transition milk. The study used 50 colostrum samples (collected at 0 h postpartum, before lambs' sucking) and 169 transitional milk samples (collected at 4 and 24 h postpartum, after lambs had sucked) collected over 6 lambing trials in 2 years (2019 and 2020). We concluded that the Brix refractometer results correlated weakly with IgG concentration determined by radial immunodiffusion assay in colostrum collected at 0 h postpartum (r = 0.11) and in transition milk collected at 4 h postpartum (r = 0.12); however, a moderate to strong correlation was shown in transition milk samples collected at 24 h (r = 0.66). Brix % was significantly correlated with fat %, lactose %, and protein % at all timepoints. To determine an appropriate Brix % cut-off value indicating an IgG concentration of 20 mg/mL, we analyzed sensitivity and specificity of the Brix refractometer at 0, 4, and 24 h. In samples collected at 0 and 4 h, the highest combination of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy was achieved at a Brix % cut-off value of 29%; in samples collected at 24 h postpartum, a Brix % cut-off value of 27% gave the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Overall, the Brix refractometer has potential as a useful in-field tool for researchers and producers in both extensively and intensively managed flocks to measure and determine the quality of sheep colostrum and transition milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Agenbag
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Davies Livestock Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia 5371.
| | - Alyce M Swinbourne
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Davies Livestock Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia 5371; South Australian Research and Development Institute, Livestock Sciences, Turretfield Research Centre, 129 Holland Rd, Rosedale, South Australia, Australia 5350
| | - Kiro Petrovski
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Davies Livestock Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia 5371
| | - William H E J van Wettere
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Davies Livestock Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia 5371
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Han C, Wang Y, Li F, Wang Z, Yang Y, Lv S, Wang H. Effects of Lamb Sex and Ewe Parity on Suckling-related Neonatal Behaviors and Weaning Weight of Small-tailed Han Lambs. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Oxidative Stress in Neonatal Lambs and its Relation to Health Status and Passive Colostral Immunity. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2022; 251:110470. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Extensive Sheep and Goat Production: The Role of Novel Technologies towards Sustainability and Animal Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070885. [PMID: 35405874 PMCID: PMC8996830 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary New technologies have been recognized as valuable in controlling, monitoring, and managing farm animal activities. It makes it possible to deepen the knowledge of animal behavior and improve animal welfare and health, which has positive implications for the sustainability of animal production. In recent years, successful technological developments have been applied in intensive farming systems; however, due to challenging conditions that extensive pasture-based systems show, technology has been more limited. Nevertheless, awareness of the available technological solutions for extensive conditions can increase the implementation of their adoption among farmers and researchers. In this context, this review addresses the role of different technologies applied to sheep and goat production in extensive systems. Examples related to precision livestock farming, omics, thermal stress, colostrum intake, passive immunity, and newborn survival are presented; biomarkers of metabolic diseases and parasite resistance breeding are discussed. Abstract Sheep and goat extensive production systems are very important in the context of global food security and the use of rangelands that have no alternative agricultural use. In such systems, there are enormous challenges to address. These include, for instance, classical production issues, such as nutrition or reproduction, as well as carbon-efficient systems within the climate-change context. An adequate response to these issues is determinant to economic and environmental sustainability. The answers to such problems need to combine efficiently not only the classical production aspects, but also the increasingly important health, welfare, and environmental aspects in an integrated fashion. The purpose of the study was to review the application of technological developments, in addition to remote-sensing in tandem with other state-of-the-art techniques that could be used within the framework of extensive production systems of sheep and goats and their impact on nutrition, production, and ultimately, the welfare of these species. In addition to precision livestock farming (PLF), these include other relevant technologies, namely omics and other areas of relevance in small-ruminant extensive production: heat stress, colostrum intake, passive immunity, newborn survival, biomarkers of metabolic disease diagnosis, and parasite resistance breeding. This work shows the substantial, dynamic nature of the scientific community to contribute to solutions that make extensive production systems of sheep and goats more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with current concerns with the environment and welfare.
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