The effects of supplementing diets fed to pregnant and lactating ewes with Saccharomyces cerevisiae dried yeast

Authors: KATARZYNA ZABEK, STANISLAW MILEWSKI, ROMAN WÓJCIK, ANDRZEJ KRZYSZTOF SIWICKI

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing diets fed to ewes (in late pregnancy and during lactation or only during lactation) with Saccharomyces cerevisiae dried brewer’s yeast on the yield and chemical composition of milk and on selected parameters of humoral and cellular immunity. The investigated indicators were analyzed on days 28 and 70 of lactation. The addition of dried yeast contributed to a significant increase in milk yield, and the obtained milk was characterized by a lower somatic cell count, suggesting improved mammary gland health. Diet supplementation had a beneficial influence on the health status of ewes, leading to increased nonspecific humoral and cellular immune responses in ewes, including gamma globulin concentrations, lysozyme and ceruloplasmin activity levels, respiratory burst activity and potential killing activity of phagocytes, and the proliferative response of mitogen-stimulated T cells and B cells.

Keywords: Sheep, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, milk performance, humoral and cellular immunity

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