Genetic Differences in Concentration of Immunoglobulins G1 and M in Serum and Colostrum of Cows and in Serum of Neonatal Calves

Abstract

Blood samples obtained 24 and 36 hr postparturition from 187 calves in 2 years were analyzed for serum concentration of immunoglobulins G1 (IgG1) and M (IgM). Serum and colostrum samples also were obtained from their dams, and corresponding immunoglobulin levels were determined. Calves were evaluated for their ability to acquire and absorb immunoglobulins and cows for their ability to produce immunoglobulins. Mathematical models included sources of variation for breed of sire, sire within breed, breed of dam, age of dam and sex of calf. Of these factors, breed of sire, breed of dam and age of dam were the most important. Simmental- and Pinzgauer-sired calves tended (p = .07) to have lower IgG1 and IgM levels than calves sired by Hereford, Hereford X Angus and Tarentaise bulls. Calves of Hereford X Angus dams had consistently higher immunoglobulin concentrations than calves of Hereford dams. Hereford X Angus cows tended to have higher colostrum concentrations and lower serum concentrations of the two immunoglobulins than Hereford cows. A fetal sire effect was demonstrated for serum IgM concentrations in that cows mated to Simmental bulls had lower (P = .05) concentrations than cows mated to bulls of other breeds. Advancing age of dam was associated with higher concentrations of immunoglobulins, except for serum IgM in the calf and in the cow. Correlations between serum and colostrum concentrations of both immunoglobulins in the dam were low, as were correlations between cow colostrum concentration and calf serum concentration of IgG1. IgM in the colostrum was positively associated with IgM in calf serum, however. Heritability estimates for calf serum IgG1 concentration were high (.52 +/- .28 and .69 +/- 30 at 24 and 36 hr, respectively), while estimates for heritability of IgM concentrations were intermediate (.30 +/- .26 and .35 +/- .26 at 24 and 36 hr, respectively). There was no evidence that sires within breeds influenced, through the fetus, immunoglobulin concentrations in serum or colostrum of their mates. Relatively high repeatabilities for all traits imply that observed differences among cows were due in part to genetic and (or) permanent environmental differences.

Milk production during the colostral period is not related to the later lactational performance in dairy cows

“…Thus, the neonate depends on the passive transfer of immunity by the ingestion of colostrum of sufficient quality. The IgG concentration in the colostrum of beef cows is more than twice as high as in dairy cows such as Holstein-Friesians (Norman and Hohenboken, 1981;Baumrucker et al, 2010). Guy et al (1994) explained the difference in colostral IgG concentrations between dairy and beef cows by a greater dilution effect.…”

Transferência de imunidade passiva em bezerros das raças Nelore e Limousin e proteinograma sérico nos primeiros quatro meses de vida

“…Em várias oportunidades se comprovou que a concentração de IgG no colostro tende a aumentar conforme o número de parições nas fêmeas de raças leiteiras (Oyeniyi & Hunter 1978, Muller & Ellinger 1981, Devery-Pocius & Larson 1983, Pritchett et al 1991, Feitosa et al 1999) e de corte (Norman & Hohenboken 1981), o que sugere que produtos de primíparas poderiam ser mais propensos à FTIP (Feitosa et al 1999). Essa chance é provavelmente menor nas raças de corte uma vez que a concentração de IgG é geralmente maior no colostro em comparação às fêmeas leiteiras (Besser & Gay 1994, Guy et al 1994.…”

“…Fêmeas de raças de corte apresentam colostro com maior concentração de Ig (Guy et al 1994), sendo incomum a influência do número de parições sobre a transferência de anticorpos maternos , Filteau et al 2003. No entanto, produtos de novilhas estão mais sujeitos a fatores de risco que podem levar a uma menor absorção intestinal de anticorpos (Radostits & Acres 1980, Norman & Hohenboken 1981, Petrie et al 1984, Machado Neto et al 1997.…”

Milk protein analysis

“…McLean et al (1984) used radial immunodiffusion for the determination of a-La and f3-Lgin a study of the effect of milk protein genetic variants on milk yield and composition. The same technique was extensively used for assaying Igs (antisera against bovine IgG1 and IgG2 are now commercially available) (e.g., Norman & Hohenboken, 1981). Ig determination is useful for detecting colostrum in milk.…”