Volume 19, Issue 3 , November 2017, , Pages 557-567
Abstract
In this study, effect of lycopene and corn supplementation on quantity of colostrum and concentrations of IgG in blood and colostrum in pregnant ewes was investigated.A total of 40 multiparous single-bearing ewes (body weight 68 ±8.4 kg) during last month of gestation were fed with one of the ...
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In this study, effect of lycopene and corn supplementation on quantity of colostrum and concentrations of IgG in blood and colostrum in pregnant ewes was investigated.A total of 40 multiparous single-bearing ewes (body weight 68 ±8.4 kg) during last month of gestation were fed with one of the four experimental diets including; basal diet (CON), basal diet plus 1 g/d lycopen (LYC), 300 g/d corn (COR), 1 g/d lycopen plus 300 g/d corn (LYC + COR). Quantity of colostrum production was determined at 6 h post-partum using oxytocin injection method.The IgG concentration in colostrum at 6 and 12 h post-partum as well as at 14 and one day pre-partum was determined. Quantity of colostrum at 6 h post-partum in COR, and LYC + COR was higher (P<0.05) than that in CON and LYC. Blood IgG concentration in CON was significantly lower than COR, LYC, and LYC + CORN. Ewes in LYC+COR had higher (P<0.05) colostrum IgG concentration than ewes in CON. In conclusion, lycopene and corn supplementation during late gestation increased serum IgG concentrations and improved colostrum quantity and quality in pregnant ewes.