Passive Transfer of Colostral Immunoglobulins in Calves

Abstract

Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins has long been accepted as imperative to optimal calf health. Many factors, including timing of colostrum ingestion, the method and volume of colostrum administration, the immunoglobulin concentration of the colostrum ingested, and the age of the dam have been implicated in affecting the optimization of absorption. The practice of colostrum pooling, the breed and presence of the dam, and the presence of respiratory acidosis in the calf also may affect passive transfer. Various tests have been reported to accurately measure passive transfer status in neonatal calves. The radial immunodiffusion and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the only tests that directly measure serum IgG concentration. All other available tests including serum total solids by refractometry, sodium sulfite turbidity test, zinc sulfate turbidity test, serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity, and whole blood glutaraldehyde gelation estimate serum IgG concentration based on concentration of total globulins or other proteins whose passive transfer is statistically associated with that of IgG. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature of passive transfer in calves including factors that affect passive transfer status, testing modalities, effects of failure of passive transfer on baseline mortality, consequences of failure of passive transfer, and some treatment options. Many previously accepted truisms regarding passive transfer in calves should be rejected based on the results of recent research.

Management of Dairy Calves from Birth to Weaning

“…IgG1 transfer from the colostrum to the newborn calf is considered adequate when calves less than 1 week of age reach a minimum serum IgG1 concentration of 1000 mg/dL (Gay, 1984 ;Tyler et al, 1996 ;Wells, 1996 ;Weaver et al, 2000 ). For optimum calf health on most dairies, IgG concentrations greater than 1000 mg/dL may be desirable.…”

“…Colostrum premilking should be avoided and fresh cows, particularly high -producing ones, should have colostrum harvested within 2 -4 h of parturition (Moore et al, 2005 ). Colostrum pooling should be avoided (Weaver et al, 2000 ) unless it is necessary for colostrum pasteurization.…”

Set-up and application of an analytical approach for the quality control of purified colostrum as food supplement

“…immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and lysozyme) that can stimulate innate antiviral pathways [2,3].…”

Multispecies Multistrain Probiotic Effects on Calves Development and Health

“…Factors that often are cited as having an effect on passive transfer in the calf are the timing of colostrum ingestion the method and volume of colostrum administration, the immunoglobulin concentration of the colostrum ingested, and the age of the dam. [3] Passive immunity acquired via transfer of maternal immunoglobulins in colostrum provides newborn mammals with early protection against pathogens. This is particularly important in cattle because calves are born hypogammaglobulinemic and depend solely on transfer from colostrum for antibodymediated immunoprotection [4,5].…”