Immune Functions of Veal Calves fed low Amounts of Iron*

Abstract

Summary Immune functions were studied in male calves fed milk replacer (MR) containing 10 or 50 mg iron (Fe)/kg. Calves fed 10 mg Fe/kg MR developed marked hypoferremia and anemia, whereas serum‐Fe and haemoglobin concentration of calves fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR were normal. Growth performance was reduced, while feed/gain ratio, incidence of infections (especially pneumonias), febrile body temperatures and antibiotic treatments were higher in calves fed 10 than 50 mg Fe/kg MR (p<0.05). Whereas antibody production (to horse erythrocytes) and lymphocyte stimulation (by mitogens) were not significantly altered, cell‐mediated immunity (measured as cutaneous delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction to dinitrofluoro‐benzene), number of neutrophils with phagocytic capacity, activity of the Fe‐containing enzyme myeloperoxidase, blood serum IgG concentration and the number and diameter of germinal centres as a measure of the number and production of B‐cells in cervical superficial lymphnodes in calves fed 10 mg Fe/kg MR were reduced when compared with calves fed 50 mg Fe/kg MR (p<0.05). In conclusion, severe Fe deficiency caused reduced growth performance, associated with and partly due to higher incidence of infections because of defective immune reactions.

Effects of Parenteral Supply of Iron on RBC Parameters, Performance, and Health in Neonatal Dairy Calves

“…However, except for anemia prevention, the role of iron in maintaining health in calves is not still completely clear. In veal calves with sub-normal body iron level, higher prevalence of infectious diseases was reported [6,9,11]. Bunger et al [9] reported that the prevalence of pneumonia and diarrhea and the frequency of treatments for these diseases were higher in the group of calves that were not supplemented with iron than the calves that were given oral iron supplementation.…”

“…However, Bunger et al [5] concluded that unrestricted feeding on concentrate rich in iron during colostral feeding period did not prevent Fe deficiency and believed that anemia developing in the first month of life was not physiological but was due to Fe deficiency. Numerous studies showed that the administration of iron to calves (orally or parenterally) provided an increase in hematological parameters and a better growth in calves [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. On the other hand, there is a report that indicated iron supplementation (injection) had no effect on red blood cell (RBC) parameters and health of supplemented calves [16].…”

Effects of parenteral supply of iron and copper on hematology, weight gain, and health in neonatal dairy calves

“…Lindt and Blum (1994) showed that Fe deficiency anemia is frequent problem in veal calves but not in calves fed roughage, concentrates and mineral/vitamin supplements but Bunger et al (1980) concluded that unrestricted feeding on concentrate rich in iron during colostral period did not prevent Fe deficiency and believed that anemia developing in the first month of life was not physiological but was due to Fe deficiency. However, numerous studies showed that the administration of iron provided an increase in hematological parameters and a better growth in calves (Mollerberg et al 1975a;Sakozy et al 1984;Bunger et al 1986;Geisser et al 1991;Gygax et al 1993;Lindt and Blum 1993;Bostedt et al 2000;Mohri et al 2004).…”

Scientific Opinion on the welfare of cattle kept for beef production and the welfare in intensive calf farming systems

“…Results of research in (veal) calves are in accordance with those in other species, including humans, and have demonstrated that iron-deficiency anaemia in calves may be associated with a compromised ability to cope with physical stress, lack of appetite, an increased probability of diarrhoea and respiratory infections, depression of growth, a reduction of the total number of white blood cells and the number of lymphocytes, altered functions of glucose metabolism and the hypothalamo-pituitaryadrenal axis, enhanced levels of catecholamines in urine, and an increased heart rate during drinking (Bremner et al, 1976;Reece, 1984;Postema, 1985;Reece and Hotchkiss, 1987;Gygax et al, 1993;Blum, 1993, 1994a, b;Ceppi and Blum, 1994;Ceppi et al, 1994;Blum and Hammon, 1999;Van Reenen et al, 1999;Enjalbert, 2009).…”