Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of vitamin C on the immune system in cattle immunized against blackleg. The study employed 28 cattle of different breeds and genders, aged 15-20 months, bred in the Ardahan region. The cattle were broken down into four groups, seven in each group. The first group (control group) 2 ml saline, the second group (vitamin group) 5 mg/kg vitamin c, the third group (vaccination group) 2 ml blackleg vaccine, and the fourth group (vaccine-vitamin group) 2 ml Blackleg vaccine and 5 mg/kg vitamin c was administered subcutaneously. Blood samples were collected from all animals in the groups just prior to vaccination and vitamin administration (day zero) and on the 14th and 28th days following administration. The number of formula leukocytes and the amount of serum IgG was measured in the blood samples. Serum IgG was found to increase substantially (p<0.05) in the vitamin-vaccine group on days 14 and 28 compared to the vaccine group. It was determined that the number of lymphocytes in days 14 and 28 of the vaccine-vitamin group increased in comparison with the vaccine group. In this study, it was found that vitamin c administered to cattle with the blackleg vaccine has a stimulating effect on the immune system. It is recommended to improve the protective potency of the vaccine using vitamin c along with the blackleg vaccine in cattle.

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