Avoidance of Passive Transfer Failure in Calves

Abstract

Partial or complete failure of passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins is known to be a major determinant of liability to neonatal disease and mortality in calves. When considering the causes of failure of passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins the transfer process can be divided into three stages. These are:
1. The formation of adequate volumes of high immunoglobulin concentration colostrum in the udder.
2. The ingestion of an adequate mass of immunoglobulin by the calf early in life.
3. The transfer of immunoglobulins across the gut into the circulation of the calf.

Currently we have information on the causes of failure associated with deficiencies in the first two of these stages and there are management strategies that can be used to minimize failure associated with these stages. We have limited knowledge to allow successful intervention strategies associated with the third stage.