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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 202-211.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2024266

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The changes of serum biochemical indexes, oxidation resistance and immune property in pre- and post-weaning lambs

Jin-shun ZHAN1(), Hao-yun JIANG1, Hai-bo WANG1,2, Hao-bin JIA1, Yue PAN1,3, Xiao-jun ZHONG1, Jun-hong HUO1()   

  1. 1.Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Green and Healthy Breeding,Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine,Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Nanchang 330200,China
    2.College of Animal Science and Technology,Gansu Agricultural University,Lanzhou 730070,China
    3.College of Animal Science and Animal Medicine,Tianjin Agricultural University,Tianjin 300384,China
  • Received:2024-07-09 Revised:2024-09-12 Online:2025-05-20 Published:2025-03-20
  • Contact: Jun-hong HUO

Abstract:

This study investigated the changes in serum biochemical indexes, and antioxidant and immune properties in pre- and post-weaning lambs, analyzed the incidence of early weaning stress in lambs, with the aim providing a theoretical basis for nutritional regulation of weaning stress in lambs. Twelve healthy Hu lambs with the same birth date and similar body weight were chosen and weaned at 30 days of age. The serum of lambs was collected prior to weaning (Day 0) and at 3, 6 and 15 days post-weaning for measurement of biochemical parameters, hormone concentrations, and antioxidant and immune properties. The following results were obtained: 1) Compared with Day 0, serum alanine aminotransferase activity of lambs at Day 15 after weaning was significantly decreased (P<0.05) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and total protein content of lambs at Day 6 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum total cholesterol content of lambs at Day 6 was significantly higher than that of other groups (P<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen content increased gradually with post-weaning time, but blood glucose did not differ among groups (P>0.05). 2) Compared with Day 3 post-weaning, serum triiodothyronine of lambs at Day 15 was significantly increased (P<0.05). Similarly, Day 15 tetraiodothyronine concentration of lambs was increased relative to Day 6. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 was significantly lower at Day 6 than at Days 0 or 3 (P<0.05), but epinephrine concentration did not differ among groups (P>0.05). 3) Compared with Day 0, serum total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and catalase (CAT) activities of lambs at Day 3 was significantly decreased (P<0.05), but superoxide dismutase and CAT activities of lambs at Day 15 was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with Day 0, serum malondialdehyde concentration of lambs at Day 3 was significantly increased (P<0.05), but nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 concentration at Days 6 and 15 was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Serum heme oxygenase-1 concentration of lambs at Day 0 was significantly lower than that of other groups (P<0.05). 4) Compared with Day 3, serum immunoglobulin A concentration of lambs at Day 15 was significantly increased (P<0.05), and immunoglobulin G concentrations of lambs at Days 6 and 15 were also significantly increased (P<0.05), while immunoglobulin M did not differ between groups (P>0.05). The immune cell CD 4+ T-lymphocyte concentration and CD 4+ T-lymphocyte∶CD 8+ at Day 0 were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those at other times, with the highest values observed at Day 6. The CD 8+ T-lymphocyte concentration did not differ among groups (P>0.05). 5) Serum interleukin-1β concentration of lambs at Day 3 was significantly higher than at other times, but interferon gamma concentration was lowest at Day 3. Compared with Day 3, the concentrations of interleukin-2, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α at Days 6 and 15 were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with Day 0, the concentrations of interleukin-8 and interleukin-22 at Days 3, 6 and 15 were significantly increased (P<0.05), but the serum nuclear factor kappa-B concentrations were decreased. Compared with Day 0, the concentration of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 at Days 6 and 15 was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In summary, early weaning decreased the body antioxidant and immune capacities and enhanced the inflammatory responses of lambs. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune capacities of the lambs were recovered with the passage of time after weaning.

Key words: lambs, early weaning, oxidation resistance, blood biochemical indexes, immune property