ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the neutrophil oxidative metabolism and phagocytosis of Zymonsan particles of primiparous and pluriparous Lacaune ewes during the first 30 days after lambing. A total of 20 ewes were evaluated, 10 primiparous (GPR) and 10 pluriparous (GPL). Evaluation of basal oxidative metabolism was performed using the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) technique, stimulating neutrophil phagocytosis with Zymosan particles. Blood samples were collected at parturition day (M1) and 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days after parturition, corresponding to M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6, respectively. In relation to the groups, GPR presented lower oxidative basal metabolism neutrophils in M1 compared to M4, in M3 with M1, M2, M4 and M5. In M4 and M5 differences were found at all times and in M6 with M4 and M5. Higher percentage of neutrophils than phagocytes were found in M4, M5 and M6 than in M1 and M2 in GPL animals. At all times GPR presented a lower percentage of phagocytosis than GPL. Thus it is concluded that the immune response in pluriparous sheep was more efficient than in primiparous sheep.(AU)