title: Intravenous immunoglobulin transfusion in colostrum-deprived dairy calves.
abstract: Immunoglobulin transfusion is employed in the management of the failure of passive transfer (FPT). The aim of this study was to investigate the dose of immunoglobulin G (IgG) needed to reach a protective concentration (>10 g/L) in colostrum-deprived dairy calves. Twenty-eight Holstein Friesian newborn male calves were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG) or a treatment group (PG). Calves in the CG received 4 L of high quality colostrum within 12 h of birth. Calves in the PG received 62.7 ± 3.1 g of IgG IV in 2.6 ± 0.3 L of plasma within 6 h after birth. Serum immunoglobulin G (sIgG) and serum total protein (sTP) concentrations were assayed before and after (24 h, 72 h and 1 week after birth) plasma transfusion or colostrum ingestion. Serum (s) IgG and sTP concentrations increased in both groups throughout the period of observation. Mean sIgG and sTP concentrations after colostrum ingestion or plasma transfusion were higher in the CG than in the PG (P <0.01). Nine treated calves developed diarrhoea during the study and four were humanely euthanased due to progressive clinical deterioration. None of the calves in the CG showed signs of disease or died during the study. The dose of IgG used in this trial effectively provided an adequate sIgG concentration in colostrum-deprived calves (>10 g/L). Calves in the CG had significantly lower morbidity and mortality rates compared to those in the PG, suggesting that plasma transfusion alone is ineffective in providing complete protection against neonatal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy; Clinic for Ruminants, Swine and Management, Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.boccardo@unimi.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boccardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy; Clinic for Ruminants, Swine and Management, Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belloli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology IBBA-CNR, Via Einstein Loc. Cascina Codazza, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biffani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy; Clinic for Ruminants, Swine and Management, Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dall'Ara
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Filipe
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy; Clinic for Ruminants, Swine and Management, Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Restelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Proverbio
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10-20133 Milan, Italy; Clinic for Ruminants, Swine and Management, Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pravettoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000378:metabolism*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
keywords: Cattle; Failure of passive transfer; Immunity; Plasma transfusion