Serum immunoglobulin G concentrations in calves fed fresh colostrum or a colostrum supplement.
This study compared serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in calves fed colostrum with those of calves fed a colostrum supplement containing spray-dried serum. Twenty-four Holstein calves were randomly assigned to I of 2 treatment groups (fresh colostrum or colostrum supplement). Each calf was fed 4 L of colostrum (n, = 12) or 4 L of colostrum supplement (n2 = 12) via oroesophageal intubation at 3 hours of age. The concentration of the colostrum supplement fed to calves was twice the manufacturer's recommendation. The median and range values for colostral IgG concentration were 6,430 mg/dL and 1,400-17,000 mg/ dL, respectively. Median serum IgG concentrations at 2 days of age differed significantly (P = .001) between calves receiving fresh colostrum (3,350 mg/dL) and the colostrum supplement (643 mg/dL). Eight percent of calves force fed colostrum had serum IgG concentrations < 1,000 mg/dL, whereas 75% of calves force-fed supplement had IgG concentrations below this threshold. The calculated population relative risks for mortality associated with passive transfer for calves force-fed colostrum and calves force-fed colostrum supplement were 1.09 and 1.90, respectively. Force-fed fresh colostrum is superior to the colostrum supplement studied, but the colostrum supplement has similar efficacy to routine colostrum administration practices.
Holloway
Nicole M
NM
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
Tyler
Jeff W
JW
Lakritz
Jeff
J
Carlson
Steven L
SL
Tessman
Ronald K
RK
Holle
Julie
J
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007074:Immunoglobulin G