Transfer of passive immunity and survival in Jersey heifer calves fed heat-treated pooled colostrum

Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Veterinary Science

Ailbhe King¹  Katherine S. Bandlow²  Kelsie C. Kennicutt²  Shoshana Brody²  Munashe Chigerwe² 

[1] Center for Integrative Mammalian Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis;Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States;Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States;

关键词: calf;    pooling;    colostrum;    immunity;    failure of transfer of passive immunity;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fvets.2023.1094272

 received in 2022-11-09, accepted in 2023-02-08,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Acquisition of adequate transfer of passive immunity (ATPI) by calves depends on the absorption of sufficient mass of colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG). Several studies report conflicting evidence regarding the ability of feeding pooled colostrum to achieve ATPI. Pooling colostrum is practical and efficient for some dairies, and recommendations are required to prevent failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in calves following pooling. This study aimed to determine the effect of pooling colostrum on serum IgG concentrations, FTPI, and preweaning mortality in calves. A prospective study was performed on two conventional Jersey dairy farms where heat treatment of colostrum occurred in the same colostrum processing kitchen. Four to 10 cows contributed to colostrum pools. A sample of the colostrum pool fed to the calves and serum from calves at 24–72 h was collected for IgG concentration determination by single radial immunodiffusion assay. Multivariable and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors that predicated serum IgG concentrations and the probability of FTPI, respectively. A Cox proportional hazard model analysis was performed to determine risk factors for mortality over the preweaning period. A total of 164 calves fed 28 colostrum pools were enrolled. Birth weight, number of colostrum feedings and pool IgG concentrations were significant predictors of calf serum IgG concentrations at 24–72 h, whereas the number of colostrum feedings and age at bleeding to determine passive transfer status were not significant predictors of calf serum IgG concentrations at 24–72 h. The prevalence of FTPI was 4.9%. Birth weight, pool IgG concentrations, number of colostrum feedings, and age at bleeding to check for passive transfer status were not significant predictors of the probability of FTPI at 24–72 h. The incidence of mortality was 4.3%. Passive transfer status was not a predictor of mortality. Our study demonstrates the effect of pooling colostrum on serum IgG concentrations even in herds where colostrum with higher median colostrum IgG concentrations is fed to calves. The results emphasize the recommendations to assess pooled colostrum IgG concentrations before feeding calves.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Bandlow, King, Kennicutt, Brody and Chigerwe.