Addition of gut active carbohydrates to colostrum replacer does not improve passive transfer of immunoglobulin G in Holstein dairy calves

Abstract Few data are available on the descriptive characteristics of colostrum quality, passive transfer status and growth performance within a national population in China. This study included 110 dairy operations in 23 provinces, and data were obtained from management software, report system and questionnaires from 2015 to 2019. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.0, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results showed that colostrum quality was measured in 96.4% of farms and colostrum was pasteurized in 91.8% of farms. 83.6% of colostrum was excellent (Brix > 22%). Colostrum could be fed to calves within 1 hour after birth in 86.4% of farms. Besides, calves that experienced failure of passive transfer (serum total protein < 5.2 g/dl) decreased from 2015 to 2019 and accounted for 0.75% of calves in 2019. Most farms (48.8%) feed 400 kg - 600 kg milk during the preweaning period and whole milk was the main type of liquid diet accounting for 70.6% of farms. Meanwhile, 22.0% of farms chose to feed forage before weaning, and 90.1% of these farms fed oat hay. The average birth weight of calves was 37.8 kg and the average daily gain of preweaning calves was 848.3 g/d. For preweaning calves, the proportion of single housing was more than 60%, whereas postweaning calves were mainly raised in groups. The morbidity of preweaning calves in China decreased annually, from 43.3% in 2015 to 25.4% in 2019. Digestive diseases and respiratory diseases were two main diseases, and accounted for 46.0% and 38.4%, respectively. This study provides an overview on dairy calves raising practices in China.

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Risk factors for poor colostrum quality and failure of passive transfer in Scottish dairy calves

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029921000686 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Alexandra Haggerty ◽

Colin Mason ◽

Kathryn Ellis ◽

Katharine Denholm

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Calf Serum ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Total Coliform ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Dairy Calf ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Economic Implications

Abstract Failure of passive transfer (FPT) has health, welfare and economic implications for calves. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of 370 dairy calf serum samples from 38 Scottish dairy farms was measured via radial immunodiffusion (RID) to determine FPT prevalence. IgG concentration, total bacteria count (TBC) and total coliform count (TCC) of 252 colostrum samples were also measured. A questionnaire was completed at farm enrollment to investigate risk factors for FPT and poor colostrum quality at farm-level. Multivariable mixed effect logistic and linear regressions were carried out to determine significant risk factors for FPT and colostrum quality. Prevalence of FPT at calf level was determined to be 14.05%. Of 252 colostrum samples, 111 (44.05%) failed to meet Brix thresholds for colostrum quality. Of these 28 and 38 samples also exceeded TBC and TCC thresholds, respectively. Increased time between parturition and colostrum harvesting was numerically (non-significantly) associated with a colostrum Brix result <22%, and increased time spent in a bucket prior to feeding or storing was significantly associated with high TBC (≥100 000 cfu/ml and also ≥10 000 cfu/ml). High TBC values in colostrum were significantly associated with lower serum IgG concentrations. This study highlights associations between colostrum quality and FPT in dairy calves as well as potential risk factors for reduced colostrum quality; recommending some simple steps producers can take to maximise colostrum quality on farm.

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Prevalence of Failure of Passive Transfer of Immunity in Dairy Calves in the Czech Republic

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201967010163 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

pp. 163-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stanislav Staněk ◽

Eliška Nejedlá ◽

Petr Fleischer ◽

Alena Pechová ◽

Soňa Šlosárková

Keyword(s):

Reference Method ◽

Herd Size ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Dairy Herds ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Average Value ◽

Holstein Breed ◽

Newborn Calves ◽

Autumn And Winter

Prevalence of failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunity remains relatively high worldwide. The aim of this study was to estimate the FPT prevalence in Czech dairy calves and to evaluate the selected factors – breed, herd size, sex of calves, single versus twin births and the influence of the season of birth. A total of 1,175 serum samples were taken from calves of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breed from 33 herds between October 2015 and October 2017. Serum IgG concentration was determined by reference method for IgG determination – radial immunodiffusion. Statistical evaluation was performed by Kruskal‑Wallis test. The concentration of IgG ranged from 1.5 to 46.6 g/L with average value 13.7 g/L and was significantly influenced by breed, size of the herd and season. Using the criterion IgG < 10 g/L, it was found that 34.6 % of calves had FPT. The prevalence of FPT by breed was 42.9 % vs. 24.2 % (Czech Fleckvieh vs. Holstein), by size of the herd 45.0, 44.4, 25.5 and 22.0 % (< 200, 200–399, 400–599 and ≥ 600 cows per herd, respectively) and by season 25.3, 34.6, 29.9 and 52.5 % (spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively). The sex of calves was not found to be a statistically significant factor. The study in newborn calves showed that FPT is still an important problem in Czech dairy herds, especially in the Czech Fleckvieh breed. In smaller herds and especially in the winter, the prevalence of FPT was very high.

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Short communication: Effect of feeding pooled and nonpooled high-quality colostrum on passive transfer of immunity, morbidity, and mortality in dairy calves

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2019-17019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 103 (2) ◽

pp. 1894-1899

Author(s):

Ailbhe King ◽

Munashe Chigerwe ◽

John Barry ◽

John P. Murphy ◽

Maire C. Rayburn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Short Communication ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

High Quality ◽

Communication Effect ◽

Effect Of Feeding

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Passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves with additional consumption of immunoglobulin through colostrum supplement: effects in health and performance

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-9940200242019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Marília Ribeiro De Paula ◽

Giovana Simão Slanzon ◽

Natália Sobreira ◽

Carla Maris Machado Bittar

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

High Quality ◽

Immune Globulins ◽

And Performance

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of additional consumption of immuneglobulins associated with high quality colostrum in health and performance of dairy calves. After birth, 80 females were randomly assigned to two treatments: MC) high quality colostrum, supplied in a volume corresponding to 15% of birth weight; and MC+S) high quality colostrum (15% of birth weight) + colostrum supplement. Blood parameters were not affected by the additional supply of immune globulins (Ig) by colostrum supplement feeding. The concentrate and total dry matter intakes were not affected by the administration of colostrum supplementation. The additional intake of Ig through the colostrum supplement did not affect the performance or feed efficiency of calves; however, animals doubled their birth weight at the end of the period, as occurred with MC fed calves. Regarding the health, additional supply of Ig did not affect the number of days with diarrhea, days with fever or medicated days. The additional intake of Ig via colostrum supplement in combination with high quality maternal colostrum have not improved immunity or affected the performance and health of dairy calves.

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