Evaluation of passive immunity transfer in calves fed with maternal colostrum or colostrum replacer in different dosage and their effects on health and performance

Author(s)

Ana Paula da Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2019-07-11

Examining board members

Carla Maris Machado Bittar; Rafael Alves de Azevedo; Viviani Gomes; Marcia Saladini Vieira Salles

• Advisor: Carla Maris Machado Bittar

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the passive transfer of immunity (PTI), health and performance of calves fed different doses of immunoglobulins from the SCCL&#174; colostrum replacer or maternal colostrum. The animals were separated from the mothers immediately after birth. Fifty holstein calves (male and female) were allocated in randomized blocks according to sex, birth weight and date of birth and were distributed among different colostrum feeding protocols: 1) 2L of maternal colostrum (2MC); 2) 4L of maternal colostrum (4MC); 3) 2L of maternal colostrum + one dose of colostrum replacer (1MC+1CR); 4) 2 doses of colostrum replacer (2CR) and 5) 2 doses of colostrum replacer given at birth + one dose of colostrum replacer given between 6 and 8 hours after birth (3CR). Blood samples were taken at birth, before colostrum fed (0h) and at 48h after colostrum intake to assess passive immunity transfer. Calves were individually housed and bucket fed 6L/d of milk replacer, and had ad libitum access to water and starter. Starter intake was measured daily, and weekly assessed weight and body measurements. Animal health was monitored daily and the incidence of diarrhea was assessed by fecal score. During the pre-weaning, blood samples were harvested every 14 days to for determination of total protein, albumin, glucose, BHBA, NEFA and insulin. The passive transfer of immunity was not affected by colostrum feeding protocols (P>0.05). However, higher doses of colostrum resulted in higher immunoglobulins intake, but lower apparent efficiency absorption (P<0.0001). Similarly, the colostrum feeding protocols did not affect health parameters (P>0.05), such as fecal score (P=0,5873), days with diarrhea (P=0,3685), days with fever (P=0,7072), number of treatments for diarrhea (P=0,8499) and number of treatments for pneumonia (P>0,005). However, affected the number of treatments for cattle tick fever (P=0.0042). The mean weight and ADG, as well as the blood parameters evaluated during pre-weaning were not affected by the colostrum feeding protocols (P> 0.05).The colostrum replacer evaluated in this study may be an alternative to maternal colostrum, once the, both maternal colostrum and colostrum replacer were efficient in the transfer of passive immunity, resulting in similar performance even under conditions of high sanitary challenge. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/12305-1 - Evaluation of passive immunity transfer in calves receiving maternal colostrum or different doses of colostrum substitute and its effects on health and performance
• Grantee: Ana Paula da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master