Formulation of Colostrum Supplements and Acquisition of Passive Immunity in Neonatal Calves
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20005425Keywords:
passive immunity, colostrum, Colostrum supplement, lgG, efficiency, absorption of lgGAbstract
Acquisition of adequate passive immunity is essential to calf health and growth. Factors that influence acquisition of passive immunity include metabolic state of the animal, age at first colostrum feeding, amount and lgG concentration of maternal colostrum (MC) consumed, and chemical and physical characteristics of the MC. Colostrum supplement (CS) products have been developed to supplement or replace MC and increase lgG and nutrient concentration. However, the apparent efficiency of lgG absorption (AEA) from some CS is poor, while the AEA of CS derived from ediblegrade bovine serum is equivalent to MC. Differences in AEA and lgG absorption from CS may be due to chemical composition or mass of lgG fed to calves. Our objective was to determine the absorption of lgG from CS derived from bovine serum or processed lg concentrates containing 10% to 27% lgG.