Serum IgG threshold values associated with increased risk of diseases in preweaned lambs

Abstract

Serum IgG cut-off points associated with increased risk of septicemia, fatigue anorexi syndrome (FAS), diarrhea and pneumonia in preweaned lambs was investigated in this study. The study involved 347 Akkaraman crossbred lambs born on two farms in Kars, Turkey. Blood samples were collected 24±1 h after birth and serum IgG concentration was measured by ELISA assay and cut-off values for each disease were determined. Neonatal lambs with diarrhea, FAS and septicaemia had statistically significantly lower IgG concentrations compared to healthy lambs (P<0.05). Critical SIgGC-24 cut-off values for increased risk of diarrhea, FAS and septicaemia in neonatal lambs were <800, <1000 and <200 mg/dl. In post-neonatal period, SIgGC-24 (mg/dL) was lower in only lambs with pneumonia compared to healthy lambs (P<0.05). The risk of developing septicaemia (IgG<200 mg/dL vs IgG>200 mg/dL), diarrhoe (IgG<800 mg/ dL vs IgG>800 mg/dL), FAS (IgG<1000 mg/dL vs IgG>1000 mg/dL) and pneumonia ((IgG<1000 mg/dL vs IgG>1000 mg/dL) was 203, 6, 18 and 12 times higher, respectively. A threshold vaule of IgG<998 mg/dL and IgG<193 mg/ dL were determined for neonatal morbidity and mortality, respectively. An appropriate colostrum management may help to maintain the health of pre-weaning lambs, thereby improving the productivity and profitability of sheep farms.

Keywords

• IgG cut-offs
• lamb health
• passive immunity
• colostrum

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