Observations on colostral intake in newborn dairy calves

Authors: Stafford KJ, Vermunt JJ, Thompson KG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 43, Issue 5, pp 205-206, Oct 1995
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Milk, Diet/rations/food, Immune system/immunology, Mammary gland/udder, Neonatal, Nutrition/metabolism, Protein
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Neonatal diseases of calves cause a significant loss to the dairy and dairy-beef industries, and the influence of passive immunity derived from colostral transfer on mortality and morbidity is widely recognised. Various techniques are available to evaluate the adequacy of colostral intake, mostly based on measurement of plasma protein concentration. Different tests vary widely in cost, turn-around time and ease of use. In newborn calves, successful absorption of immunoglobulin from colostrum can be readily assessed by determining the concentrations of total protein or the activities of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) in serum. Although total protein estimations include albumin as well as globulins, they are often used as a crude indicator of colostral transfer. Numerous overseas studies have reported on the failure of passive immunoglobulin transfer due to inadequate intake of colostrum in calves…

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