Statistically significant differences during the 1st month of gestation were noted between hybrid animals, Black-and-
White and Simmental heifers (P<0.05). By the second month of pregnancy, the lysozyme activity of the blood serum of
animals was also lower in Black-and-White Holstein. Crossbred animals showed the highest SLA level - 29.2±1.3%.
Statistically significant differences at 2 months of gestation were noted between Black-and-White, Simmental breed of
heifers and crossbred animals (P<0.05). Mentioned differences in breeds (for SLA activity) has fully recognized in goat
Analyzing the data in Figure 2, it can be noted that by the third month of pregnancy, SLA was slightly lower in heifers
of Black-and-White Holstein breed - 23.3±1.1%. The highest level of SLA was also in crossbred animals - 30.4±1.4%. In
Black-and-White heifers, lysozyme activity during months 3, 4, and 5 of gestation was significantly lower in relation to
crossbred animals (P<0.05). In the second half of pregnancy, all breeds of animals showed an increase in lysozyme
activity, especially pronounced these changes were noted in the Aberdeen Angus breed and crossbred animals. During the
6th months of pregnancy, SLA was 25.8±1.5% in Black-and-White Holstein, 28.8±1.4% in Simmental, 29.9±1.6% in
Aberdeen-Angus, and 33.5±1.5% crossbred heifers.
Crossbred heifers had significantly higher lysozyme activity during the 6th months of gestation in relation to Black-
and-White Holstein and Simmental heifers (P<0.05). The activity of lysozyme during the 9th month of pregnancy was
30.1±1.8% in Black-and-White Holstein; 33.7±1.8% in Simmental, 34.8±2.0% in Aberdeen-Angus, and 36.5±2.0% in
crossbred animals. Black-and-white heifers at the end of pregnancy had a significantly lower activity than crossbred
heifers (P<0.05).
Thus, the lysozyme activity of blood serum in crossbred animals during all months of pregnancy exceeded those of
the Simmental and especially the Black-and-White breed. This finding is in according to Puppel et al. (2019) who review
and noted changes lysozyme activity in different breeds and in colostrum composition. An increase in SLA during
pregnancy indicates an increase in serum lysozyme during pregnancy. This is obviously due to the evolutionary reaction of
the nonspecific protection on the part of the mother to the birth of a viable calf.
CONCLUSION
With respect to the above it can conclude that with an increase in gestation, serum bactericidal activity (SBA) and serum
lysozyme activity (SLA) of heifers gradually increases. During pregnancy, the level of SBA and SLA in the blood of heifers
depended on the month of pregnancy and the breed of animals. During pregnancy, hybrid heifers have higher
concentrations of SBA and SLA. During pregnancy, Black-and-White, Simmental, and Aberdeen Angus heifers have lower
concentrations of SBA and SLA.
DECLARATIONS
Corresponding Author
E-mail: vic.eriomenko@yandex.ru; ORCID: 0000-0003-3780-7724
Authors’ Contribution
Both authors contributed in research, experiments and writing, equally.
Conflict of interests
Authors declare no competing interests.
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Citation: Eremenko VI and Rotmistrovskaya EG (2021). Changes in serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity in growing heifers of different breeds. Online J. Anim.