Immunology of the Bovine Neonate

Abstract

Disease of the bovine neonate can be prevalent and devastating to the producer. The diseases common to neonates are not unique to this age group. However, many are uncommon causes of clinical disease in older animals. The importance of colostrum immunoglobulin transfer in calf health is undisputed. However, the role of epithelial barrier mechanisms, cell mediated immunity, complement cascade, and the development of the calf’s endogenous immunoglobulin are often overlooked. Differential maturation of the immune response is a major contributor to the timing of common diseases in the bovine neonate, In addition, management procedures may adversely affect some of these early protective mechanisms. Understanding the maturation of the immune system in the postpartum calf sheds light on the unique pattern of diseases seen in the bovine neonate.