Comparison of IgG and semiquantitative tests for evaluation of passive transfer immunity in calves

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulin (IgG) and semiquantitative tests are used for the evaluation of passive transfer immunity (PTI) in calves. We aimed to evaluate PTI in calves by using a Brix refractometer, total protein (TP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and glutaraldehyde coagulation test (GCT) on days 1, 3, and 7 after birth; to compare the results with serum IgG; and to evaluate which day these tests are given on will give the best results. The blood samples were collected from 60 Holstein dairy calves on day 0, just after birth, and on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after birth. The serum IgG concentration was measured by ELISA, the Brix % and TP concentrations with refractometers, and GGT activity using a dry chemistry system. The duration of the GCT was determined in the first 60 min. The IgG, TP concentration, and Brix % all peaked on the 3rd day of the study. GGT showed a significant decline after 24 h. Evaluating the Brix %, IgG, TP, and GCT levels more than 24 h after birth gives better results. However, GGT activity was observed as an early indicator of failure of passive transfer, as the GGT levels were highest 24 h after birth.

Evaluation of passive transfer in goat kids with Brix refractometer and comparison with other semiquantitative tests

“…In the present study, Brix% results of goats kids on day one are similar to the results of Oman et al [24]. Furthermore, in the present study it was observed that, similar to a study conducted in calves [22], Brix% and TP levels were higher in the first 3 days when compared to presuckling levels. The higher Brix% and TP levels compared to IgG on the first day could be related to the absorption of solids other than immunoglobulin from the colostrum as colostrum is reported to contain 7%-13% fat, 4%-10% nonimmunoglobulin proteins, and 2%-5% lactose [4].…”

“…GGT enzyme activity also reached the highest level on day 1 and decreased between days 2 and 3 (P < 0.01). The rapid decrease in GGT after the first day is similar to the results from other studies of goat kids [18], lambs [12], and calves [22,29]. Thus, we can suggest that among the semiquantitative tests, GGT is an early indicator for determining FPT in goat kids.…”

“…In the present study, the highest sensitivity rate (84.62%) of Brix% was detected on day 2, and the highest specificity (87.50%) and accuracy (70.15%) were detected on day 1. Although the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (%) were the highest on the 3rd day in a different study that evaluated calves on the 1st and 3rd days [22], the results from the first day of that study were similar (78.33%) to the results in the present study. According to these results, a Brix refractometer can be used on the 1st and 2nd days after birth to determine the PT status of goat kids.…”

“…In test characteristics, the cut-off value of Brix% was determined to be 8.6%, 9.2%, and 9.3% on day 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The cut-off value for Brix% was calculated as 8.5%-8.6% [20] in one study conducted in calves, and 8.6% on the 1st and 9.0% on the 3rd day in another study [22]. Thus, Brix% cut-off values in goat kids were close to the cut-off values calculated for calves.…”

“…In recent years, there have been many studies that have evaluated the use of Brix refractometers for determining PT level in calves [19][20][21][22]. Brix refractometry is not as widely studied in small ruminants as in cattle.…”