The Effects of Immunostimulants (Zinc, Levamisole, Vitamin AD3E) Use Together With Enterotoxaemia Vaccine on Immunoglobulins in Sheep

Objective: In this study, LMS, zinc and vitamin AD3E were used with enterotoxaemia vaccine in sheep, in order to investigate their immunostimulant activities and also to make a comparison among them regarding their immunostimulatory properties. Material and Methods: In the research 40 sheep were divided into 4 groups, each group consisted of 10 sheep. Group I only vaccinated against enterotoxaemia. In groups II, III and IV besides enterotoxaemia vaccine, LMS, zinc and vitamin AD3E were used, respectively. Blood samples were taken on days 0 and 35 of the experiment. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE) were determined using ELISA kits specific to sheep immunoglobulins. Hematological parameters and serum zinc levels were also determined.Results: Levamisole-treated group showed a significant increase in serum level of IgM, and zinc-treated group demonstrated a significant increase in serum IgG level (P<0.05). In day 35, serum IgM level was the highest in LMS group (group II) based on its levels in groups III and IV (P<0.05) and also IgG level was highest in group II when compared to its levels in groups III and IV (P<0.01). In group II, statistically significant decrease in total WBC and lymphocyte counts and statistically significant increase in thrombocyte counts were determined on day 35 (P<0.05). In group III, statistically significant decrease in total WBC, neutrophil counts and hematocrit values were detected (P<0.05), although, these changes were within physiologically normal limits.Conclusion: In conclusion, LMS stimulated the increase in IgM levels and zinc stimulated the increase in IgG levels without inducing adverse effect and the increase in antibody production resulted in the enhancement of humoral immune response to enterotoxamia vaccine. The use of LMS and zinc as immunostimulant together with vaccination is recommended.