Immunoglobulin G absorption from pooled maternal colostrum, commercial powder and freeze-dried colostrum by newborn calves

Abstract

For many reasons, a lot of newborn ruminants have no access to their mother's colostrum and are therefore not protected against neonatal diseases. Many commercial colostra-replacers are now available, but their ability to pass the intestinal wall is not well established. Therefore, two experiments were carried out to test the value of two maternal colostra, freeze-dried immunoglobulins extracted from the colostra of Holstein cows, and a commercial dried colostrum powder, as colostrum substitute. Fifty-seven Holstein calves were fed the same immunoglobulin concentration exactly 1, 7 and 15 h afterbirth. They were divided into four groups A, B, C and D with respectively 16, 16, 13 and 12 animals. Total immunoglobulin G concentrations were the highest at 24 h in all groups but the freeze-dried colostrum was best absorbed. The IgG of the whole and the freeze-dried colostra were well absorbed by the calves: the second meal increased the IgG of the calves over 10 g·L-1, usually considered as the minimum level of protection of the newborn. The commercial dried colostrum powder was not well absorbed and showed low immunoglobulin levels at 24 h postpartum. It was concluded that even when colostra are given in the same concentrations to calves, the absorption of immunoglobulins differ, because of the complexity and the probable sensitivity and alteration of colostrum components during technological treatments.