Effect of ascorbic acid in colostrum-deprived neonatal camels.

摘要

The study was conducted to determine the effect of ascorbic acid on some immune parameters of colostrum deprived camel calves. Newborn camels were removed immediately from dams after birth to prevent suckling and ingestion of colostrum. 36 calves were divided into four groups: group 1, calves were left to suckle their dams (control); group 2 were deprived of colostrum, but supplemented with 500 ml camel milk given orally at 2 h interval from 2-20 h after parturition; group 3 calves were deprived of colostrum and given camel milk as in group 2; and group 4 were colostrum deprived and injected with saline. Results revealed that deprivation of colostrum in calves increased leukocytes, neutrophils and cortisol, but decreased eosinophils, serum ascorbate and lysosomal enzyme activity. Subcutaneous administration of ascorbic acid at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight daily to colostrum-deprived calves increased serum ascorbate and lysosomal activity, but had no effects on other parameters.