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1999-11-01
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Earley, B., Fallon, R.J., Calf Health and Immunity, End of Project Reports, Teagasc, 1999.
Abstract
Suckled calves had significantly higher serum IgG 1 concentrations
than mart purchased dairy calves.
The marked differences in immunoglobulin levels between suckled
calves and dairy calves suggest that these calves received either
insufficient quality or quantity of colostral immunoglobulins.
Factors affecting calf serum Ig concentrations are, Ig concentration
in colostrum, colostrum intake, Ig mass, calf age at first feeding,
nutrition of the dam, method of ingestion, presence of the dam, age
of the dam and the calf.
When suckled calves were fed a similar volume of colostrum
relative to birth weight (40 ml/kg) and at the same time interval
post birth, there was no significant difference across the three
suckler herd progeny for IgG1, IgA and IgM and total Ig serum levels
at 28 and 56 days of age. However, serum IgG2 levels were significantly
lower in the Limousin x beef breed when compared with the
Charolais x beef breed suckled calves at 28 days of age.
Healthy calves had higher serum immunoglobulins (IgG1) than
calves treated for respiratory disease, enteric disease or for both
respiratory disease and enteric disease.
It is well recognised that immunoglobulins are absorbed from
the intestine for only a short period post birth and that efficiency
of absorption is dependent on ensuring that the calf receives adequate
colostrum in the immediate post-partum period.
Low serum IgG1 concentrations are attributable to failures to
obtain adequate colostral immunoglobulins in the period immediately
following birth.
The mean IgA and IgM serum levels of suckled calves in the present
study were only slightly higher than dairy calves while IgG1
serum levels were almost approximately twice as high.
Feeding colostrum high in Ig results in higher calf serum Ig concentrations
at 48h.
The low serum Ig levels reported in the present study suggest
that dairy calves failed to obtain adequate transfer of colostral
immunoglobulins.
Calves with a lower immune status are more susceptible to
neonatal infection and thus the importance of colostrum in the
immediate post partum period cannot be overemphasised. Thus,
the identification of calves with low levels of immunity might stimulate calf producers to ensure that calves receive adequate levels of colostral
immunoglobulins.
The implications of the present findings are that compared with suckled
calves, dairy calves are not receiving 1). adequate quantity of colostrum 2).
adequate quality of colostrum. 3). Colostrum soon enough post birth 4).
or a combination of all of the previous factors.
Rearing calves outdoors using calf jackets had no beneficial effect on calf
performance. The incidence of respiratory disease was higher in calves
reared indoor when compared with calves reared outdoor with and without
jackets. There was an increased incidence of diarrhoea in calves reared
outdoors irrespective of calf jacket.
Lymphocytes from calves with respiratory disease manifest an impaired
capability to blast in vitro.
Chromium (Cr) supplementation (250 mg/kg dry matter intake) enhanced
the blastogenic response in healthy calves, while, calves with respiratory
had impaired blastogenic responses.
Supplementation with organic Cr (250 mg/kg dry matter intake) for 63
days had no major effect on physiological parameters and had select effects
on haematological parameters, namely, the % monocytes. The % monocytes
were significantly higher in the standard commercial milk replacer (CMR)
(Skim) Cr supplemented calves when compared with the whey based
(CMR) + Soya Brand B or whey based CMR + Soya Brand C or whey based
enzyme processed soya Brand C + Cr treatment groups.