Effect of adding gut active carbohydrates to colostrum replacer on passive transfer of immunoglobulin G in Holstein dairy calves
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20134230Keywords:
high-quality colostrum, passive transfer, immunoglobulins, gut-active carbohydrates, GAC, commercial colostrum replacer, preweaning performance, dairy calvesAbstract
Early feeding of a sufficient quantity of high-quality colostrum is the key to good colostrum management and obtaining sufficient passive transfer of immunity in newborn calves. Various products have been added to colostrum to evaluate their potential for improving passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins (lg). Research findings suggest that maternal colostrum supplemented with gut-active carbohydrates (GAC) or mannan-oligosaccharides resulted in higher serum IgG concentrations in young mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing a commercial colostrum replacer (CR) with GAC on the serum IgG concentration and preweaning performance of dairy calves in a commercial farm setting.