Passive immune transfer, health, pre-weaning performance, and metabolism of dairy calves fed a colostrum supplement associated with medium-quality maternal colostrum

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate passive immunity transfer, health, performance, and metabolism of Holstein calves fed colostrum supplement associated with medium-quality colostrum. After birth, calves were blocked according to birth weight and date and distributed into the following treatments: high-quality colostrum (> 50 mg of Ig/mL; n = 15; 150 g kg −1 BW; positive control group); medium-quality colostrum (30-40 mg of Ig/mL; n = 14; 150 g kg −1 BW), and medium-quality colostrum (30-40 mg of Ig/mL; n = 15; 150 g kg −1 BW) + colostrum supplement (15 mL) given with the colostrum. Colostrum was given within the first 12 h of life in two meals by nipple bottle, and colostrum replacer was administered by a blister syringe. Blood samples were taken every 12 h up to 48 h of life for total serum protein (TSP) evaluation. After colostrum feeding, calves were fed 4 L of transition milking, split in two meals for a period of one to four days and received milk replacer thereafter. Calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate and bucket-fed 6 L/d of milk replacer up to the sixth week of life, when they received 4 L/d until weaning, with eight weeks. Colostrum feeding protocol affected the TSP concentration in the first 48 h of life, while the concentrations of albumin, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, γ-glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were not affected. During the milk-feeding period, the concentrate and total dry matter intake were not affected by the colostrum protocol, but increased as animals aged. Colostrum-feeding protocol did not affect performance or health of calves. Feeding colostrum supplement associated with medium-quality colostrum had no effect on passive immune transfer, performance, nor on the metabolism during the liquid-feeding phase.

Effect of heating bovine colostrum at 60°C for 90′ on colostrum quality and, the health and growth characteristics of Holstein dairy calves

“…FTPI is associated with higher risks of mortality, respiratory diseases, diarrhoea and septicemia 49 . However, the study carried out by De Paula et al, showed that an additional supply of Ig did not affect the number of days of either diarrhoea or fever or even days of treatment in neonatal calves 50 . In addition, Quigley et al reported that the number of days that calves had been treated with veterinary medications was greater in those calves fed a colostrum replacement in comparison to those fed maternal colostrum 43 .…”

“…49 However, the study carried out by De Paula et al, showed that an additional supply of Ig did not affect the number of days of either diarrhoea or fever or even days of treatment in neonatal calves. 50 In addition, Quigley et al reported that the number of days that calves had been treated with veterinary medications was greater in those calves fed a colostrum replacement in comparison to those fed maternal colostrum. 43 Positive correlations between serum IgG concentration at 24-48 h of age and average daily gain (ADG) at weaning time have been identified 47,51 ; therefore, higher serum IgG concentrations are associated with a reduction in age at first service 11 and calving.…”

Transferência de imunidade passiva, saúde, desempenho e metabolismo de bezerros alimentados com diferentes fontes de colostro

“…Uma estratégia é o fornecimento de colostro oriundo de banco de colostro, onde se armazena colostro excedente de alta qualidade. Outra alternativa é a utilização de substituto de colostro, produto comercial capaz de substituir totalmente o colostro materno uma vez que além de imunoglobulinas possui também outros nutrientes e fatores de crescimento (Paula et al, 2019).…”