1981 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 166-171
Immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations and maternal antibody titers in serum were investigated in calves 1.5-4.5 hours old which had been fed a different quantity of colostrum. The colostrum had been stored at-20°for about 1 year until this experiment began. Four groups, A, B, C, and D, of 4-5 calves each received 5, 15, 25, and 35 ml/kg of pooled colostrum, respectively.
The Ig concentration in serum was 0 or trace in precolostral calves. No viral antibody titer was detected from these calves. The Ig concentration increased significantly in calves fed colostrum for 3 days after birth of all the groups, but A. Maternal antibody titers against adenovirus 7 (ADV7), bovine virus diarrhea virus (BVDV), parainfluenza virus 3, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus increased significantly in these animals.
From these results, it seems necessary to nurse with 40ml/kg of colostrum at least for granting effective maternal antibody to neonatal calves.
Changes in antibody titers against Corona virus, ADV7, and BVDV in the colostrum which had been supplemented with 0.5%, or 1% propionic acid (P) and the same dose of lactic acid and which had been stored at 5°or 20°were studied. The antibody titer of 0.5% P colostrum at 5°was neary stable for 6 to 10 weeks, but those of all the groups at 20°decreased in the early stage.
In conclusion, 0.5% P colostrum kept at 5°might confer lactogenic immunity effectively to neonatal calves.
