STUDIES ON RELATION BETWEEN PSEUDOTUBERCLOSIS AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SHEEP AND GOATS

ABSTRACT
A total of 400 sheep and 400 goats, 3-4 years old were examined for corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in Animal Production Research, ARC, MOA, Egypt farms. For experiment, 8 pregnant sheep and 8 pregnant goats were vaccinated by 0.1 ml B.C.G as a first dose after one month of pregnancy. Three months later a second dose of B. C. G vaccine injected. Group 2 included 4 pregnant sheep and 4 pregnant goats which kept as control. The antibody levels detected by Elisa test, at parturition and for three successive months for pregnant mothers and for newly born lambs and kids. The milk yield and milk composition measured for the vaccinated dams and control one. The weight of lambs and kids recorded at birth and for three successive months after birth. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated with a percentage of 3 and 4 % from sheep and goats, respectively. Results show a significant increase in antibody level in vaccinated sheep and goats than non-vaccinated ones, with a slight more intensity in vaccinated goats than sheep. There was increase in the humeral immunity in lambs and kids born from vaccinated dams than non-vaccinated ones. In addition, a significant increase noticed in milk yield with decrease in percentages of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solids not fat in vaccinated group than non-vaccinated. Body weight of newborn lambs and kids were heavier for vaccinated groups than control. It could recommend the use of BCG vaccine in sheep and goats to increase the immunity level against corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and to improve productive performance.