Effects of Late Gestation Selenium and Vitamin E Supplementation on Colostrum Quality and Passive Immunity Transfer in Akkaraman Ewes and Their Lambs.

This research investigated how selenium and vitamin E supplementation during the final stages of pregnancy affects colostrum quality and the transfer of passive immunity in Akkaraman ewes and their offspring. Thirty pregnant ewes, aged between 2 and 3 years, were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group (CG), a selenium plus vitamin E group (SVG), and a vitamin E-only group (VEG). Supplementation commenced six weeks prior to the anticipated lambing date, with intramuscular injections administered bi-weekly until birth. Maternal body weight did not differ significantly among groups at either mating (P = 0.375) or lambing (P = 0.678). Serum IgG levels among ewes remained similar across all groups at baseline and three days postpartum (P = 0.344 and P = 0.133, respectively). However, significant differences in lamb serum IgG concentrations were observed at ten days of age across treatments (P = 0.004). Lambs from ewes receiving selenium and vitamin E supplementation showed the highest IgG levels (1.27 ± 0.02 mg/dL), representing a 36.6% increase over the control group (0.93 ± 0.04 mg/dL). Lambs from the vitamin E-only group experienced an intermediate increase of 21.5% compared to controls. Colostrum quality analysis revealed marked improvements in the supplemented groups, with Brix values being significantly higher (SVG: 26.50%, VEG: 26.83%) than those in the control group (20.33%) (P = 0.045). Similarly, colostrum fat content was notably elevated in the supplemented groups (SVG: 11.12%, VEG: 10.68%) compared to controls (5.65%) (P = 0.001). These results demonstrate that supplementing ewes with selenium and vitamin E during late gestation significantly boosts colostrum quality and enhances the transfer of passive immunity to lambs, with combined supplementation yielding the most substantial benefits for neonatal immune health.