Impact of using yeast as feed additive on production performance and immune responses of she-camels and their newborn calves during peri-parturation period

Abstract EN

She-camels face down-regulation of immune responses during pregnancy that may lead to viral and bacterial infections so increases the dangers affecting their newborn calves.

This study aimed to improve the body weight and immune responses of she-camels and their newborn calves.

A total of 10 dams were divided into two equal groups; G1 (fed the basal diet only) and G2 (fed the basal diet & Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC); 0.5 g/head/day).

Dams' and calves' plasma, milk samples were collected.

Quantitative analysis of IgG, IgA & IFN-γ levels in samples was done by ELISA and Body weights were recorded monthly.

Results revealed significant increases (P<0.05) in body weight, body weight gain of dams and calves' birth weight in G2 compared to G1.

IgG2 levels dams were higher than IgG1 at all durations, IgA levels didn't show any significant change in groups while IFN-γ showed an increased level in G2 more than G1 from the time of calving to one month post calving.

IgG, IgA & IFN-γ levels in milk didn't show significant differences between the experimental groups.

Calves' IgG in G2 showed higher significant levels compared to G1 from birth to one month after birth, IgA & IFN-γ levels in G2 showed significant increase at one month after birth.

Conclusion: SC is a good feed additive for she-camels during peri-partum.

It improved total body weight, body weight gain and birth weight of calves.

Immune responses of dams and calves were enhanced that may help in facing the stressful pregnancy event