Colostrum induced passive immune transfer in lambs

Abstract

During last decades, the production and consumption of small ruminant milk have been increased. As a result of this, sheep and goat farming have been developing and scientists are focused on clinical and feeding strategy researches on these animals. By the evolutionary challenges and adaptations, colostrum has a crucial role in immune complementation for litter. As a result of these challenges and adaptations neonatal life is more important especially in ruminants due to its lifetime effect and the future of livestock. The passive immune transfer is the main mechanism explained by biological evolution between the dam and lamb which is influenced by certain factors related to both dam and litter. Today the importance of passive immune transfer is well known for the future of livestock economy and animal welfare. In the literature, researchers are focused on correlation between colostrum quality (especially immunoglobulin concentration) and blood serum levels of immunoglobulin levels in newborns. The aims of the present review are to discuss data of recent studies and how passive immune transfer occurred in lambs as well as effecting factors and to supply new ideas to researchers.