Abstract

An investigation was made into the protein profile of colostrum/milk of ten Murrah buffaloes and of their ten buffalo calves during their first week of neonatal life to study the materno-neonatal transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig). Calves were pail fed 3.5 liter of colostrum and/or milk per calf/day exclusively from their dam. First blood sample from newborn calves was collected before colostrum feeding on the day of birth (day zero) and the sampling continued daily for seven days after colostrum/milk feeding. Colostrum/milk Ig and IgG values were 4.82±2.60, 2.19±1.90, 1.12±0.82, 0.69±0.44, 0.59±0.31, 0.47±0.20, 0.40±0.22, 0.40±0.25 and 3.58±1.90, 1.08±0.92, 0.52±0.40, 0.31±0.20, 0.27±0.14, 0.22±0.08, 0.18±0.09, 0.14±0.08 respectively during 0-7 days post partum. The concentration of total colostrum/milk proteins, Ig, IgG and albumin were highest within 12 h post-partum. Thereafter, the concentrations followed a declining trend which may be attributed to the reduced transfer of proteins from the maternal blood, declining synthesis by the mammary glands and/or depletion of stored proteins. The concentrations of plasma Ig and IgG before colostrum feeding on day zero were 0.42±0.09 and 0.08±0.03 respectively. The levels of plasma Ig were 1.90±0.37, 1.80±0.31, 1.80±0.26, 1.81±0.28, 1.78±0.31, 1.79±0.21, 1.80±0.32 and of IgG were 1.57±0.41, 1.30±0.29, 1.31±0.21, 1.27±0.18, 1.23±0.21, 1.23±0.16, 1.26±0.21 on days 1-7 after birth after colostrum/milk feeding. The concentrations of total plasma proteins, Ig, IgG were lowest before colostrum feeding and increased significantly (p<0.05) after colostrum feeding in buffalo neonates. The results suggest that the highest amounts of colostral Ig and IgG were available on the day of parturition and thus the calves should receive colostrum as early after birth as possible. Colostrum Ig and IgG concentrations were not correlated to plasma Ig and IgG concentrations in the post-suckle buffalo calves and therefore, colostrum Ig and IgG concentrations were probably not the principle determinants of calf post-suckle plasma Ig and IgG concentrations. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 3 : 348-352)

Highlights

  • Various immunological and biochemical adjustments take place in the dam to meet the metabolic needs of foetus and neonates for growth and development

  • The knowledge of changes in protein profile of colostrum/milk is of paramount importance in understanding the materno-neonatal transfer of immunoglobulins

  • Murrah buffaloes and ten calves (8 male and 2 females) delivered by the same buffaloes. These buffaloes were maintained on the standard feeding schedule recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) and management conditions at the dairy farm of Punjab Agricultural

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Various immunological and biochemical adjustments take place in the dam to meet the metabolic needs of foetus and neonates for growth and development. During foetal life there is maternal protection, and in the post-natal life the neonates are protected and nourished by the colostrum and milk from mother. This is a unique mammalian adaptation for the survival of species. The neonates need both pre- and post-natal immunological assistance, which is rendered passively through the placental and/or colostral transfer of antibodies. The knowledge of changes in protein profile of colostrum/milk is of paramount importance in understanding the materno-neonatal transfer of immunoglobulins. Received July 15, 2002; Accepted October 5, 2002 investigate the nature of relationship, if any, between colostral and neonatal immunoglobulin profiles

The study was conducted on ten pregnant healthy
PROTEIN PROFILE OF NEONATAL CALVES AND COLOSTRUM
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Total Ig
Calf IgG
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