The effect of colostral immunoglobulin supplement on the passive immunity, growth and health of neonatal calves

Authors

• Juha Nousiainen Farm Services, Valio Ltd, P.O. Box 390, FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland
• Hannu Korhonen Research and Development, Valio Ltd, P.O. Box 390, FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland
• Eeva-Liisa Syväoja Research and Development, Valio Ltd, P.O. Box 390, FIN-00101 Helsinki, Finland
• Sami Savolainen College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, P.O. Box 6, FIN-00581 Helsinki
• Hannu Saloniemi College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, P.O. Box 6, FIN-00581 Helsinki
• Harry Jalonen Valio Bioproducts Ltd, Biocity, Tykistökatu 6, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72710

Abstract

Neonatal dairy calves were randomly allotted to three colostrum feeding regimens with increasing intakes of immunoglobulins (Ig) on the first day of life. The control group was fed one litre of pooled colostrum (Ig intake 19.5 g). In two experimental groups, the pooled colostrum was supplemented with 0.5 or 1.5 litres of commercial Ig-concentrate, giving a total Ig intake of 52.7 and 119.0 g, respectively. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels increased linearly (p < 0.001) on day 2 post partum with the increasing Ig intake. The calculated mean Ig-absorption rate was 61% and decreased linearly for IgM (p = 0.051) and IgG (p = 0.078) with increasing Ig intake. At the highest Ig intake, serum IgG remained above 10 g/l during 30 days post partum. In the experimental groups, serum IgM and IgA decreased sharply during the first week of life and were relatively constant thereafter. In the control group, however, there was an increase in serum IgM after one week post partum, perhaps due to the in situ production of Ig. With the increasing Ig intake there was a small and non-significant tendency for better live weight gain (p = 0.286) and a lower incidence of diarrhoea (p = 0.421) during the first four weeks of life. It is concluded that the Ig-product tested is well absorbed during 24 hours post partum and it can be used either as a supplement to maternal colostrum when its quality is poor, or as a substitute when colostrum is not available.