Colostrum and passive immunity in newborn calves: a review

Abstract

Transmission of immunoglobulins (Ig) from mother to newborns, classified as passive transmission of immunity, is a critical factor in protecting newborns from infectious diseases. Syndesmochorial structure of the cows placenta prevents the transfer of Ig from the mother to the fetus, so calves are born agammaglobulinemic, that is, without their own Ig, which they receive when consuming colostrum. Obtaining colostrum with high Ig content is the main factor of growth, development and protection of calves in the early postnatal period against pathogens in the environment. Universal media passive immunity is IgG. Violation of passive transfer of Ig leads to an increase in sickness rate and mortality and is considered as an important economic problem for industrial farming. The review discusses the current understanding of the properties, function and importance of cow colostrum in the formation of the immune status of newborn calves and their resistance to disease in the early postnatal period.