Project Number: WVA00149
CRIS Number: 0187379
Effect of Peptidoglycan-Polysaccharide (PG) Complex of Streptococcal Cell Wall on Reproductive Efficiency and Mastitis in Sheep
Investigators: Dailey, R. A., Lewis, G. S., Holaskova, I., Wulster-Radcliffe, M.
Performing Department: Animal & Veterinary Science -- 1877
Start Date: 10/01/2000
Termination Date: 09/30/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
The main goal of the experiment was to examine how immunization with peptidoglycan, toxic bacterial cell wall component, affects early embryonic survival and mastitis in sheep. Rambouillet ewe lambs were assigned at random to 4 treatment groups. Ewes in the first group were immunized using two injections of peptidoglycan 22 days apart, second group ewes received two injections of heat-killed bacteria, and all ewes were bred and challenged with peptidoglycan on day 5 after breeding. Third group ewes were not immunized, but challenged with peptidoglycan on day 5 after breeding, and ewes in the fourth group were control sheep. Maintenance of early pregnancy and mastitis in ewe lambs were determined. Even though there was a good peptidoglycan antibody response in immunized ewes, immunization with peptidoglycan or with heat-killed whole cells did not improve pregnancy rate in ewe lams. Occurrence of mastitis during lactation was not different in sheep immunized with peptidoglycan and/or whole cells and in ewes not immunized.
Publications: (No publications.)
Impact: Specific impacts are undeterminable because of the negative outcome of the experiment.