Abstract
Neonatal dairy calves were randomly allotted to three colostrum feeding regimens with increasing intakes of immunoglobulins (Ig) on the first day of life. The control group was fed one litre of pooled colostrum (Ig intake 19.5 g). In two experimental groups, the pooled colostrum was supplemented with 0.5 or 1.5 litres of commercial Ig-concentrate, giving a total Ig intake of 52.7 and 119.0 g, respectively. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels increased linearly (p < 0.001) on day 2 post partum with the increasing Ig intake. The calculated mean Ig-absorption rate was 61% and decreased linearly for IgM (p = 0.051) and IgG (p = 0.078) with increasing Ig intake. At the highest Ig intake, serum IgG remained above 10 g/l during 30 days post partum. In the experimental groups, serum IgM and IgA decreased sharply during the first week of life and were relatively constant thereafter. In the control group, however, there was an increase in serum IgM after one week post partum, perhaps due to the in situ production of Ig. With the increasing Ig intake there was a small and non-significant tendency for better live weight gain (p = 0.286) and a lower incidence of diarrhoea (p = 0.421) during the first four weeks of life. It is concluded that the Ig-product tested is well absorbed during 24 hours post partum and it can be used either as a supplement to maternal colostrum when its quality is poor, or as a substitute when colostrum is not available.
Highlights
Colostral immunoglobulins (Ig) provide primary protection against infections in newborn calves, since the bovine placenta does not allow transfer of macromolecules in significant amounts (Larson et al 1980)
A similar tendency was noted for IgG, but due to the high variation at low Ig intakes the trend was not significant (p = 0.221)
Increasing the Ig intake of the calves with Ig concentrate (Ig-C) resulted in a linear response (p < 0.001) to serum IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations just after the absorption period on day 2 (Table 2)
Summary
Colostral immunoglobulins (Ig) provide primary protection against infections in newborn calves, since the bovine placenta does not allow transfer of macromolecules in significant amounts (Larson et al 1980). There is, a marked variation in the Ig level of the first colostrum, possibly owing to the length of the dry period, number of lactations, feeding and other management factors of cows (Fleenor and Scott 1981, Kruse 1970a). It has been suggested that newborn calves should have a total minimum intake of 80-100 grams of Ig (equals 2-3 litres of good quality colostrum) during the first 24 hours post partum (Kruse 1970b, Scott et al 1979c). After this period, the gut epithelium closes, and Ig ingested by the calf may have only local importance against pathogens. In a recent Swedish field study (Viring et al 1993), the mean serum Ig level in 7-day-old calves was 5.9 g/1 and slightly less (5.3 g/1) in diarrhoeic calves
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