Comparison of the endocrinological and immunological results of different induction of parturition methods in ewes

Summary

Objective: This study aimed to compare different induction of partu -rition (IP) methods in terms of endocrinological and immunological parameters in ewes and lambs.Materials and methods: A total of 24 ewes and their respective 24 lambs were studied. Groups of six ewes were induced on the 138th day: groups I (control), II (dexamethasone), III (aglepristone) and IV (aglepristone + dexamethasone). Blood samples were taken from the ewes from IP to 2 days postpartum at 12-hour intervals for the prolactin and oxytocin analyses. Colostrum and blood samples were collected from the lambs at 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours for the IgG analysis. The prolactin, oxytocin and IgG levels were measured by ELISA. Results: A significant difference was found in prolactin levels in all groups and in the colostral IgG level in group IV with respect to the sampling time. Additionally, a significant difference in prolactin level was found at 24 hours postpartum between group IV and groups I and III. A significant difference in the colostral IgG level was determined at 24 hours after parturition between group III and the other groups and at 48 hours after parturition between groups II and III. A positive and significant correlation between the colostral and serum IgG levels of the lambs was found at 24 hours in groups I and II. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Although varying individual results were found within the groups, the endocrinological and immunological results did not suggest any superiority among the IP methods. Considering the presented study results, a single dose of aglepristone may be used alone or in combination with dexamethasone for I P.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Vergleich verschiedener Methoden der Geburtsein leitung in Bezug auf endokrinologische und immunologische Parameter bei Mutterschafen und Lämmern. Material und Methoden Untersucht wur den 24 Mutterschafe und ihre 24 Lämmer. Jeweils sechs Mutterschafe bildeten eine Gruppe. In den vier Gruppen kamen am 138. Tag nach der Bede -ckung verschiedene Protokolle der Geburtseinleitung zur Anwendung: Gruppe I (Kontrolle), II (Dexamethason), III (Aglepriston) und IV (Agle -priston + Dexamethason). Blutproben der Mutterschafe wurden vom Zeitpunkt der Geburtseinleitung bis 2 Tage nach der Geburt in 12-Stunden-Intervallen zur Messung der Prolaktin- und Oxytozinkonzentration entnom men. Kolostrum und Blutproben von den Lämmern wur den 0, 12, 24, 36 und 48 Stunden nach der Geburt für die IgG-Bestimmung gesammelt. Die Messung der Prolaktin-, Oxytozin- und IgG-Konzentration erfolgte mittels ELISA. Ergebnisse Die Prolaktinkonzentrationen veränderten sich über die Zeit signifikant in allen Gruppen. Die IgG-Konzentration im Blut zeigte nur in Gruppe IV eine signifikante Veränderung im zeitlichen Verlauf. Im Gruppenvergleich differierte die Prolaktinkonzentration zwischen Gruppe IV und I sowie III 24 Stunden post partum signifi kant. Signi fikante Unterschie de hinsichtlich der IgG-Kon zentration des Kolostrums fanden sich zwischen Gruppe III und den anderen Gruppen 24 Stunden nach der Geburt sowie zwischen Gruppe II und III 48 Stunden nach der Geburt. In den Gruppen I und II ergab sich eine positive Korrelation zwischen der IgG-Konzentration im Kolostrum und im Serum 24 Stunden nach der Geburt. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Bei Schafen und Lämmern waren nach verschiedenen Protokollen der Geburtseinleitung keine relevanten endokrinen und im -munologischen Unterschiede nachweisbar. Basierend auf den Resulta -ten der Studie kann zur Geburtseinleitung eine Einzeldosis von Aglepris-ton allein oder in Kombination mit Dexamethason verwendet werden.

Keywords

Induction of parturition - endocrinology - immunology - colostrum - lamb - ewe

Schlüsselwörter

Geburtseinleitung - Endokrinologie - Immunologie - Kolostrum - Lamm - Mutterschaf

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