BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Immediate removal of dairy goat kids from the doe as a strategy to manage colostrum intake

摘要

An impeded transfer of antibodies between the maternal and fetal circulatory system results in goat kids lacking immunity at birth (Hurley & Theil 2011). The dam's colostrum, which supplies energy, nutrients and growth hormones, also passively provides immunity via immunoglobulin G (IgG) (Hurley & Theil 2011). Without colostrum, morbidity and mortality increases (O'Brien & Sherman 1993). Unfortunately, colostrum is also a source of disease, such as caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) (Reina et al. 2009). Therefore, removal of the offspring prior to maternal colostrum transfer is often practiced (Reina et al. 2009) because it allows for feeding alternative, disease-free colostrum. For goats, colostrum alternatives include: bovine, heat-treated caprine, and artificial bovine-based replacer. While incorrect heat-treatment can reduce IgG content (Tyler et al. 2000) and some artificial replacers fail to improve immunity acquisition (Constant et al. 1994), few adverse effects (e.g. reduced kid survival) of these alternatives have been noted (MacKenzie et al. 1987; Moretti etal. 2012).