Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
Cited by SciELO
Access statistics
Related links
Cited by Google
Similars in SciELO
Similars in Google
Share
Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias
Print version ISSN 0120-0690
Abstract
GONZALEZ GARDUNO, Roberto et al. Immune and haematological parameters of Blackbelly ewes infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Rev Colom Cienc Pecua [online]. 2017, vol.30, n.3, pp.219-230. ISSN 0120-0690. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rccp.v30n3a05.
Background:
It is necessary to identify phenotypic traits related to natural resistance against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in order to know the host immunity status in productive ewes.
Objetive:
To determine haematological and immunological parameters (IgA and IgG) during pregnancy and lactation in Blackbelly ewes naturally infected with GIN
Methods:
The number of eggs per gram (EPG), packed cell volume (% PCV), plasmatic protein (PP), and peripheral eosinophils were determined during eight months. In addition, sera and saliva samples were collected to establish IgG and IgA kinetics by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results:
The results showed 2,592 ± 2,403 EPG and 22.2 ± 4.0% PCV during lactation and 595 ± 901 EPG and 25.1 ± 2.5% PCV during pregnancy. A higher percentage of Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae were observed in pregnancy (84 to100%) than in lactation (36 to 44%). The IgA activity in serum samples showed a marked reduction (from 80 to 10%) during lambing for both Haemonchus contortus and T. colubriformis antigens. In saliva samples, IgA activity with regard to the standard decreased from 56% at 60 days to 30% at 45 days before lambing and remained low for 45 days during lactation (23 to 32% activity). The eosinophils numbers were 2.0 x 109 cells L-1 in pregnancy and remained low at 0.7 x 109 cells L-1 in lactation.
Conclusion:
The studied variables reflect the breakdown of immunity against GIN in Blackbelly ewes before and after lambing.
Keywords : antigens; Haemonchus contortus; immunity; parasites; sheep; Trichostrongylus colubriformis.