THE EFFECT OF COLOSTRUM ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES ON SERUM IGG CONCENTRATIONS IN TUBE FED HOLSTEIN BULL CALVES

摘要

Several studies have described the importance of the ingestion and absorption of colostral immunoglobulins on the morbidity, mortality, growth and future productivity of dairy calves. Calves with inadequate passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins have increased risk for mortality in the first 3 months of life. Additionally, decreased rate of gain, lower milk production and decreased first lactation survival have been reported in calves with failure of passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins. Failure of passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins (FPT) is responsible for approximately one-half of calf death losses on US dairy farms. Colostrum administration practices which affect serum immunoglobulin concentration in calves include thetiming of colostrum administration, the volume of colostrum fed, the method of administration, timing of colostral collection, colostral IgG concentration and dam parity. Previous reports have recommended that calves ingest at least 100 g of colostral IgG for adequate passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins. However, this goal was based upon anecdotal or clinical observations rather than controlled studies.