Effect of feeding whole compared with cell-free colostrum on calf immune status: Vaccination response

Abstract

Vaccination contributes to improved herd health and production. Boosting immune development at a young age may have long-term effects by enhancing vaccine immune response and efficacy. In the bovine, colostrum is the sole source of maternal immunity, having a substantial effect on health status in the neonate. To date, colostral antibody concentration is used to evaluate colostrum quality. However, colostrum also contains proteins and cells, which may affect immune development and future responses to vaccines. To determine the effect of maternal colostral cells on immune development, 37 female Holstein and Jersey dairy calves were bottle-fed 4 quarts total of whole colostrum (WC) or cell-free colostrum (CFC) at birth. Calves were vaccinated with 2 series of multivalent vaccines. Series A consisted of vaccines given between 1 and 4mo of life. Series B consisted of vaccines given between 5 and 10mo of life. Calf peripheral blood samples were obtained before each vaccination series and monthly for 3mo after each vaccination series. Cellular blood parameters were determined by flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine cytokine gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells before vaccination series B and once a month for 2mo after vaccination series B. Calves fed CFC had fewer numbers of B cells in mo 2 after vaccination series A when compared with WC-fed calves. Calves fed CFC had decreased gene expression levels of IL-2 in mo 1 and numbers of CD4(+)CD62L(+)CD45RO(-) and CD4(+)CD62L(+)CD45RO(+) T cells in mo 0 and 1 after vaccination series B as compared with WC-fed calves. Our findings indicate a greater response to vaccines up to 6 to 10mo post-WC feeding when compared with CFC. These data suggest that adoptive transfer of maternal colostral cells at birth has a long-term effect on development of the neonatal immune system.

Exploratory cohort study to determine if dry cow vaccination with aSalmonellaNewport bacterin can protect dairy calves against oralSalmonellachallenge

“…29,30 A recent study also suggested that maternal colostral cells had long-term effects on the development of the calf's immune system. 31 Calves that received whole colostrum had stronger responses to vaccination 6 to 10 months post-colostrum feeding as compared to calves fed cell-free colostrum. This observation suggests that these maternal cells may play a role in "training" or "priming" the developing immune system of the calf.…”

Passive immune transfer in puppies

“…Except IgA, other nonspecific colostral compounds, such as lysozyme and lactoferrin, participate in the newborn immune response, even though they are considered of minor importance (Handl et al, 2009). In other domestic animals, white blood cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes are other compounds of the PIT: these cells are able to cross the intestinal barrier and enhance neonatal immunity during the first month of life (Liebler-Tenorio et al, 2002;Langel et al, 2015Langel et al, , 2016. They release IgA locally when in contact with digestive pathogens (Wheeler et al, 2007).…”

Effects of gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation on growth and immunity of beef steers1

“…Vaccination is one of the most useful management practices to protect animals from different pathogens (Carrol and Forsberg, 2007), and conferring successful vaccine protection in cattle is important in preventing new or recurring infections (Langel et al, 2016). Antigens present in the vaccine stimulate the humoral response (i.e., antibody production) without causing disease (Kindt et al, 2007).…”