Serum immunoglobulin G concentrations in calves fed fresh and frozen colostrum.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether serum IgG concentrations in neonatal calves are adversely affected by short-term frozen storage of colostrum.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Experiment 1 consisted of 10 pairs of Holstein calves (n = 20) fed matched aliquots of either fresh (n = 10) or frozen and thawed (10) colostrum. In experiment 2, 26 Holstein calves were fed either fresh (n = 13) or frozen and thawed (n = 13) colostrum.


METHODS
Experiment 1 consisted of calves resulting from observed parturitions; calves were randomly assigned to treatment groups (fresh or frozen and thawed colostrum) in pairs. Calves were fed 4 L aliquots of colostrum via oroesophageal intubation at 3 hours of age. Serum IgG concentrations at 2 days of age were compared between the 2 groups by use of a paired t-test. Experiment 2 consisted of calves resulting from observed parturitions; calves were randomly assigned to treatment groups (fresh or frozen and thawed colostrum). Calves were fed 4 L aliquots of colostrum via oroesophageal intubation at 3 hours of age. Regression analysis was used to determine whether calf serum IgG concentration was a function of colostral IgG concentration and colostrum storage group.


RESULTS
Significant differences were not observed between the 2 groups in experiment 1. No significant relationship was observed between colostrum storage group and serum IgG concentration in experiment 2. The model that best predicted serum IgG concentrations accounted for 20% of the variability in serum IgG concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Frozen colostrum is an adequate source of IgG for calves.
Holloway
N M
NM
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
Tyler
J W
JW
Lakritz
J
J
Carlson
S L
SL
Holle
J
J
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation
D007074:Immunoglobulin G