The influence of probiotics on the immunity and vitality of pregnant she-camels during peri-partum period and its reflection on their newborn calves / Maysoon Mohammad Mohie Eldinn Ibrahim Makhlouf ; Supervised Somaya Osman Eldeeb , Alyaa Ahmed Farid , Laila Nasser Eid

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology

Pregnancy in dromedary camel is associated with down-regulation of immune responses that may lead to susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. So, it has been proposed that probiotic application might help in strengthening the immunity and performance of pregnant she-camels and their newborns. A total of 15 dams at late gestation (2 months pre-calving) to one month post-calving were divided into three equal groups: G₁ (control) was fed the basal diet recommended by APRI; G₂ was fed the basal diet supplemented with yeast (0.5 gm/head/day) and G₃ was fed the basal diet supplemented with Bacilli mixture (Enhancer1.3, 10 g/head/day). Dams' plasma and milk and calves' plasma were collected at certain durations. Results revealed higher significant maternal body weights (kg) in G₂ and G₃ compared to G₁: at one month pre-calving and one month postcalving. Non-significant changes were detected between the 3 experimental groups at calving. Moreover, calves' birth weights were higher in G₂ and G₃ compared to G₁. The immunological investigation revealed that dams plasma IgG levels (ng/ml) at one month pre-calving, one week and one month post-calving were higher in G₂ and G₃ than G₁. In milk, IgG levels during early lactation showed significant changes between the 3 groups at one week post-calving

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