Evaluation of passive immunity transfer in calves receiving maternal colostrum or different doses of colostrum substitute and its effects on health and performance

• Grant number: 17/12305-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2017
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Carla Maris Machado Bittar
• Grantee: Ana Paula da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Failures in the passive immunity transfer are a consequence of the low availability or quality of maternal colostrum. Therefore, there are higher rates of morbidity and mortality associated with higher production costs and lower productivity of animals in adulthood. Thus, strategies to replace maternal colostrum in situations of low quality and/or availability should be studied. The objective of this study is to evaluate the passive immunity transfer, health and performance of calves fed with different doses of Ig from the substitute colostrum and fresh maternal colostrum. Newborn calves will be colostrum fed using different protocols: 1) 2 L of fresh maternal colostrum at birth; 2) 2 L of fresh maternal colostrum + one dose of colostrum replacement at birth; 3) 2 doses of colostrum substitute at birth; and 4) 2 doses of colostrum substitute at birth + 1 dose between 6 and 8 hours after birth. The animals will be housed in individual shelters. At 48 hours after the ingestion of colostrum the passive immunity transfer will be evaluated using a brix refractometer and IgG concentration analysis using a commercial ELISA kit. During the liquid-feeding period calves will receive 6L/d of milk replacer, divided in two meals (7 and 17h), and will have ad libitum access to the water and concentrate. Daily consumption of concentrated feed and weekly weight and body measurements will be evaluated. A health score will be used to monitor the health of the animals, being evaluated: rectal temperature, cough, nasal secretion, ocular secretion, ear positioning and faecal score. During the performance evaluation period, blood samples will be taken every two weeks, for determination of hematocrit and metabolites glucose, total protein, albumin, ²-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA and insulin. Dadta will be analyzed as repeated measurements with PROC MIXED of SAS. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA SILVA, ANA PAULA; DE TOLEDO, ARIANY FARIA; CEZAR, AMANDA MOELEMBERG; COELHO, MARINA GAVANSKI; VIRGINIO JUNIOR, GERCINO FERREIRA; POCZYNEK, MILAINE; SILVA, MARCOS DONIZETE; HAINES, DEBORAH M.; CAMPOS, MANUEL; MACHADO BITTAR, CARLA MARIS. Passive transfer and neonatal health in dairy calves receiving maternal colostrum and/or a colostrum replacer. LIVESTOCK SCIENCE, v. 240, OCT 2020. (17/12305-1)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Ana Paula da. Evaluation of passive immunity transfer in calves fed with maternal colostrum or colostrum replacer in different dosage and their effects on health and performance. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC) Piracicaba.