Comparison of passive transfer of immunity in neonatal dairy calves fed colostrum or bovine serum-based colostrum replacement and colostrum supplement products

Abstract

Objective-To compare serum total protein (sTP) and serum IgG (sIgG) concentrations in neonatal calves administered colostrum or a bovine serum-based colostrum replacement (CR) product followed by a bovine serum-based colostrum supplement (CS) product. Design-Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-18 Jersey and 269 Holstein neonatal heifer calves.Procedures-141 calves were given 4 L of colostrum in 1 or 2 feedings (first or only feeding was provided ≤ 2 hours after birth; when applicable, a second feeding was provided between 2 and 12 hours after birth). Other calves (n = 146) were fed 2 L of a CR product ≤ 2 hours after birth and then 2 L of a CS product between 2 and 12 hours after birth. Concentrations of sTP and sIgG were measured 1 to 7 days after birth. Data from cohorts on individual farms and for all farms were analyzed.Results-Mean sTP and sIgG concentrations differed significantly between feeding groups. In calves fed colostrum and calves fed CR and CS products, mean ± SD sTP concentration was 5.58 ± 0.67 g/dL and 5.26 ± 0.54 g/dL, respectively, and mean sIgG concentration was 1,868 ± 854 mg/ dL and 1,320 ± 620 mg/dL, respectively. The percentage of calves that had failure of passive transfer of immunity (ie, sIgG concentrations < 1,000 mg/dL) was not significantly different between groups.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that sequential feeding of bovine serum-based CR and CS products to neonatal calves is an alternative to feeding colostrum for achieving passive transfer of immunity.Consumption of an adequate quantity of good-quality colostrum within the first 24-hour period after birth is important for the health and future productivity of dairy calves. 1-3 When the formation, ingestion, or absorption of colostral-derived immunologic factors is inadequate, calves have FPT of immunity. Failure of passive transfer of immunity in calves causes substantial economic losses to stakeholders in the dairy industry because of increases in morbidity and mortality rates. The increased awareness of the importance of confirming successful passive transfer of immunity in neonatal calves has led to the development of several assays that provide quantitative or semiquantitative evidence for determining whether a calf has an adequate concentration of serum immunoglobulins. 4 Several products have been marketed as a CS, complete CR, or both to provide adequate nutrition and immunoglobulin mass for neonatal calves born on farms with colostrum supply shortages. Although CS products have been used to increase the fed volume of colostrum or increase the quality of colostrum, IgG concentrations in these products are low. Furthermore, the immunoglobulins provided in these products are poorly absorbed after ingestion, and the products are considered inadequate when used as a colostrum substitute. 18-21 A CR product that contains 125 g of bovine immunoglobulins concentrated from processed bovine serum is available for use in neonatal calves born on farms during a colostrum supply shortage [2...

The Effects of Colostrum Immunoglobulin on Strongyloides Infection in Mice

“…In addition, the supply of colostrum IgG from other parent as passive transport of antibodies serves to overcome the problems of microbial pathogenic and parasitic infections (Werem et al, 2001). This response has a similar impact as reported by Poulsen et al, (2010) that ingestion and absorption of the immunologic substances in colostrum by neonatal could reduce morbidity and mortality rates and have a positive influence on the future productivity.…”

“…Poulsen et al (2010) reported that most of these neonate losses were due to infectious diseases included the parasites in conjunction with failure of passive transfer (FPT) that has been acknowledged as a major cause of neonatal disease in the world especially in the rural community. On the other hand, the infection of dangerous helminthes in the world become an important health problem in animal farm or domestics.…”

A randomized controlled trial on preweaning morbidity, growth and mortality in Holstein heifers fed a lacteal-derived colostrum replacer or pooled maternal colostrum

“…Even so, preweaning morbidity and mortality risks did not differ between groups in this study [22]. Several studies reported that feeding a higher IgG mass (≥ 200 g of IgG) delivered using CR products resulted in greater IgG absorption and lower FPT risks [19,20,23]. However, these studies did not evaluate post-administration performance in terms of preweaning morbidity and mortality risks, feed intake, and weight gain for calves fed larger masses of IgG in the CR products evaluated.…”

Evaluation of the in-field efficacy of oregano essential oil administration on the control of neonatal diarrhea syndrome in calves

“…Serum total protein concentration was determined refractometrically with a temperature compensated refractometer (Reichert TS Meter refractometer, Model 1310400A, Reichert Scientific Instruments Buffalo, NY) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Passive immunity transfer was considered as adequate when serum total protein values were ≥ 52 g/l (Tyler et al, 1996;Poulsen et al, 2010).…”