Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the passive transfer (PT) status of goat kids by Brix refractometry and compare the results with other semiquantitative tests (total protein - TP, glutaraldehyde coagulation test - GCT, and gamma-glutamyltransferase - GGT) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The study was conducted on 75 goat kids born from 47 Saanen goats. The blood samples were collected from the kids on day 0 (presuckling) and on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after birth. The Brix% and TP concentrations were measured with refractometers, and GGT activity was measured using a dry chemistry system. The duration of the GCT was determined in the first 60 min. The serum IgG concentration was measured by goat IgG ELISA kit. On the 1st and 2nd days, serum Brix% in the kids was measured as 9.33 ± 0.17% and 9.17 ± 0.14%, respectively. In the 1st and 2nd day serum samples of the kids, IgG was 817.76 ± 37.34 mg/dL and 1173.29 ± 47.81 mg/dL, respectively, and GGT was 1298.07 ± 133.29 IU/L and 692.26 ± 79.86 IU/L, respectively. The Brix refractometer was found to be more sensitive for detection of PT status in kids on the first and second days after birth, such as TP and GCT, whereas GGT, as an early indicator of PT, was useful only on the first day after birth. We conclude that the Brix refractometer could be used to determine the PT status in goat kids and Brix measurements lower than 8.6%, 9.2%, and 9.3% indicate failure of PT in 1-, 2-, and 3-day-old kids, respectively.
Highlights
Goat kids are born hypogammaglobulinemic due to the epitheliochorial placenta [1,2]; the passive transfer (PT) of immunity from the colostrum they consume is very important [3,4]
There are sources indicating that a goat kid should consume colostrum corresponding to approximately 10%–20% of their body weight after birth in order to reach an adequate level of PT [7,8], it has been reported that the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) threshold needs to be at or above 1200 mg/dL in order to minimize morbidity and mortality rates during
Serum samples were analyzed using a digital Brix refractometer (Milwaukee MA882, Hungary), total protein was analyzed with an optical refractometer (Atago SurNe Clinical, Japan), GGT concentrations were measured with a dry system chemical analyzer (Ref: 10745081; Reflotron Plus, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Germany), and coagulation times were measured with 10% glutaraldehyde solution (G6257, Merck, USA)
Summary
Goat kids are born hypogammaglobulinemic due to the epitheliochorial placenta [1,2]; the passive transfer (PT) of immunity from the colostrum they consume is very important [3,4]. The main factors affecting PT are birth weight, number of offspring, sex of the newborn, the amount and quality of colostrum ingested, and the time of first feeding [1,5]. There are sources indicating that a goat kid should consume colostrum corresponding to approximately 10%–20% of their body weight after birth in order to reach an adequate level of PT [7,8], it has been reported that the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) threshold needs to be at or above 1200 mg/dL in order to minimize morbidity and mortality rates during.
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