Effect of immunization against oestradiol-17 beta on some biochemical parameters and reproductive performance in barki ewes

The present study was carried out on 14 Barki ewes raised at the National Research Centre Farm. Ewes were either treated with a mixture of saline and Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA, control group, n=6] or oestradiol-17beta-6-BSA conjugated with FCA [immunized group, n=8]. Ewes were mated after the booster injection. Blood samples were collected to determine lipids, proteins and their fractions. The reproductive efficiency of ewes were recorded. Results revealed no significant changes in plasma lipids, proteins and their fractions between control and immunized groups. Twinning rate increased in immunized [75%] than in control [0%] groups. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in gestation length, pregnancy rate, lambing rate and lamb birth weight between both groups. It is concluded that active immunization of Barki ewes against oestradiol-17beta-6-BSA increased twinning rate [75%]

Effect of active immunization against estradiol-17 beta on plasma antibody titer and steroids levels in Barki Ewes

The present study was carried out on 14 Barki ewes raised at The National Research Centre Experimental Farm. Animals were treated either with a mixture of saline and Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA] and served as control [n=6] or conjugated estradiol-17beta and served as treated group [n=8]. Ewes were mated after the booster immunization. Blood samples were collected during the different reproductive stages to determine plasma anti-estradiol liters [ELISA] as well as progesterone and estradiol-17beta [RIA] levels. Results indicated that immunized ewes were capable of eliciting antibodies specific to the steroid moiety and titer was detected during the different reproductive stages. Moreover, hormone levels during cyclic, pregnancy and perilambing periods revealed similar pattern in both groups but in variable levels and were significantly higher in immunized than the control group it is concluded that barki ewes responded well to immunization against estadiol-17beta by producing considerable amount of antibody titer