title: Short communication: Variation of total immunoglobulin G and β-lactoglobulin concentrations in colostrum and milk from Canadian Holsteins classified as high, average, or low immune responders.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate IgG and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) concentrations in colostrum and milk of Canadian Holsteins (n=108) classified as high (H), average (A), or low (L) for antibody-mediated (AMIR) or cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR) based on estimated breeding values. It was hypothesized that H-AMIR and H-CMIR cows produce colostrum (first milking) and milk (d 5 postcalving) with higher concentrations of IgG and β-LG. Data for IgG and β-LG in colostrum and milk were analyzed independently using mixed linear models. Least squares means were compared using Tukey's test. Cows classified as H-AMIR had higher IgG and β-LG concentrations in colostrum compared with A- and L-AMIR cows; 84% of H-AMIR, 69% of A-AMIR, and 68% of L-AMIR cows had over 5,000 mg/dL IgG in colostrum. No differences in IgG and β-LG concentrations in colostrum were noted among cows ranked on CMIR or in milk of cows ranked on AMIR. β-Lactoglobulin and IgG concentrations were positively correlated in colostrum. Breeding cows for H-AMIR status may reduce failure of passive transfer of IgG in their calves; β-LG may play a role in bovine immune defenses. Colostrum from H-AMIR cows may serve as a more economical feedstock source for manufacturing natural health products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada; Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Thompson-Crispi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hodgins
authors.affiliation: Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada; Canadian Dairy Network, Guelph, Ontario, N1K 1E5, Canada.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miglior
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corredig
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada; Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada. Electronic address: bmallard@uoguelph.ca.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Mallard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005779:Immunodiffusion / Q000662:veterinary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D007774:Lactation; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007782:Lactoglobulins
keywords: colostrum quality; immune response; immunoglobulin; β-lactoglobulin