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

ABSTRACT

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