title: Effect of calf housing on plasma ascorbate and endocrine and immune function.
abstract: The effect of housing calves in indoor metal pens (1.2 m x 1.2 m) or commercial calf hutches was determined on plasma concentration of cortisol, antibodies, and ascorbate. Six calves per treatment were deprived of colostrum, assigned randomly to treatment, and fed a commercial milk replacer until 56 d of age. Calves housed in hutches had higher plasma IgG concentrations than calves in pens at 42 and 56 d of age. Housing had no effect on plasma IgM concentration. Antibody titers to keyhole limpet hemocyanin injected at 14 and 28 d of age were higher in hutch-housed calves from 21 to 56 d of age. Calves housed in hutches also had lower plasma cortisol concentrations, although cortisol decreased with age in both treatment groups. Plasma ascorbate and ascorbate plus dehydroascorbate were higher in hutch-housed calves. Regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between plasma ascorbate and IgG in metal penhoused calves and a negative relationship in hutch-housed calves. Housing in 1.2 m x 1.2 m metal pens decreases cortisol, plasma ascorbate, IgG, and specific antibody titers in dairy calves relative to calves housed in hutches.
authors.affiliation: Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station Auburn University 36849.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brunner
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone