Risk factors associated with failed transfer of passive immunity in male and female dairy calves: A 2008 retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

This retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to identify risk factors associated with failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) and to determine differences in colostrum management between male and female dairy calves. Research technicians visited a total of 16 commercial dairy farms weekly. For each calf born on these farms, the farm personnel completed a birth record to document the colostrum management practices provided, level of calving assistance, calf sex, and time of birth. On the weekly visits to the farms, the technicians collected blood from calves that were 1 to 7 d of age. Serum was separated via centrifugation and the concentration of serum total protein (STP) was determined using a digital refractometer. Failed transfer of passive immunity was defined as calves having an STP of <5.2 g/dL. Data were available for 1,778 calves aged 1 to 7 d. Several differences were observed with respect to how male and female calves were managed. Male calves were more likely to receive a lower volume of colostrum, have colostrum delivered using a nipple bottle followed by an esophageal tube feeder, be fed pooled colostrum, and receive fresh colostrum rather than frozen colostrum relative to female calves. Serum total protein (STP) ranged from 3.6 to 9.7 g/dL with a mean of 5.7 g/dL (standard deviation, 0.7 g/dL) and 21.1% of the calves had FTPI. Using a mixed linear regression model, we identified that a calf being male (-0.14 g/dL), being delivered by a hard pull (-0.23 g/dL), and receiving the first feeding colostrum from a combination of a nipple bottle followed by an esophageal tube feeder (-0.12 g/dL) were associated with a lower concentration of STP. Feeding 6 L or more of colostrum in the first 24 h of life was associated with a 0.14 g/dL higher concentration of STP compared with feeding <3.9 L of colostrum. For FTPI, being delivered by a hard pull [odds ratio (OR) 2.21] and receiving the first feeding colostrum from a nipple bottle followed by an esophageal tube feeder (OR 1.83) were associated with higher odds of FTPI. Feeding >6 L of colostrum in the first 24 h of life was associated with a reduced odds (OR 0.65) of FTPI compared with feeding <3.9 L of colostrum. This study highlights the importance of certain management practices in reducing FTPI incidence and identifies discrepancies in colostrum management between male and female dairy calves.