Evaluation of ewe and lamb immune response when ewes were supplemented with vitamin E

Fifty-two Targhee twin-bearing ewes were used in a factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate the role of supplemental vitamin E (vit E); 0 (N E) vs 400 IU of vit E.ewe.(-1)d(-1) (E) and parainfluenza type 3 (PI3) vacc ination; none (NP) vs PI3 vaccination (P) in immune function. Parainifluenz a type 3 vaccination was used to evoke an immune response. Ewes receiving P I3 were vaccinated at 49 and 21 d before the expected lambing date. Ewes re ceiving vit E were orally dosed daily, 32 to 0 d before lambing. Blood was collected from ewes at the time of the initial PI3 vaccination and 4 h post partum. Blood was collected from lambs (n = 104) at 3 d postpartum. Ewe and lamb sera were analyzed for anti-PI3 antibody titers, immunoglobulin G (Ig G) titers, and vit E concentrations. Colostrum was collected 4 h postpartum and analyzed for IgG. The model for ewe and lamb analysis included the mai n effects of vit E and PI3, sex (lambs model only), and their interactions. No interactions were detected (P > 0.20) for any ewe or lamb variables. Se rum anti-PI3 titers were greater (P < 0.01) in P ewes and their lambs than NP ewes and their lambs. Serum vit E concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in E ewes and their lambs than NE: ewes and their lambs. Colostral IgG tit ers and serum anti-PI3 titers did not differ (P > 0.20) between E and NE ew es. Serum IgG titers in E ewes and their lambs did not differ (P > 0.15) fr om IgG titers in NE ewes and their lambs. Lamb anti-PI3 titers did not diff er (P = 0.76) between lambs reared by E and NE ewes. These results indicate that, although supplemental vit E to the ewe increased lamb serum vit E co ncentration, it had no effect on measures used in this study to assess humo ral immunity in the ewe or passive immunity to the lamb.