No abstract

Serum immunoglobulin (IgG) and semiquantitative tests are used for the evaluation of passive transfer immunity (PTI) in calves. We aimed to evaluate PTI in calves by using a Brix refractometer, total protein (TP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and glutaraldehyde coagulation test (GCT) on days 1, 3, and 7 after birth; to compare the results with serum IgG; and to evaluate which day these tests are given on will give the best results. The blood samples were collected from 60 Holstein dairy calves on day 0, just after birth, and on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after birth. The serum IgG concentration was measured by ELISA, the Brix % and TP concentrations with refractometers, and GGT activity using a dry chemistry system. The duration of the GCT was determined in the first 60 min. The IgG, TP concentration, and Brix % all peaked on the 3rd day of the study. GGT showed a significant decline after 24 h. Evaluating the Brix %, IgG, TP, and GCT levels more than 24 h after birth gives better results. However, GGT activity was observed as an early indicator of failure of passive transfer, as the GGT levels were highest 24 h after birth.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the serum levels of adiponectin and TNF-α, as well as insulin sensitivity, and to elucidate the possible relationship among the parameters and negative energy balance during the periparturient period of dairy cows. Material and Methods: Thirty primiparous Holstein dairy cows were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected from each cow seven days before the expected calving date, on the calving day, and 7, 14, and 21 days after calving. Blood non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and TNF-α levels were measured. Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (rQUICKI) was calculated using data on NEFA, insulin, and glucose concentrations. Results: When compared to prepartum levels, serum concentration of adiponectin significantly increased on day 21 postpartum. The rQUICKI increased and NEFA levels decreased on day 7 after parturition. Insulin and glucose levels decreased on days 7, 14, and 21 postpartum when compared with prepartum levels. BHBA levels decreased on day 21 and TNF-α concentration also decreased on days 7, 14, and 21 postpartum. Adiponectin levels positively correlated with NEFA during the preparturient period. Negative correlation was detected between adiponectin and rQUICKI on calving day and on 14 th day after parturition. TNF-α concentration positively correlated with glucose levels on day 7 prepartum and on 21 st day postpartum and with rQUICKI on 21 st day postpartum. Negative correlation was detected between adiponectin level and insulin sensitivity. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, we concluded that adiponectin could possibly increase insulin sensitivity when blood NEFA concentrations are elevated.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the passive transfer (PT) status of goat kids by Brix refractometry and compare the results with other semiquantitative tests (total protein-TP, glutaraldehyde coagulation test-GCT, and gamma-glutamyltransferase-GGT) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The study was conducted on 75 goat kids born from 47 Saanen goats. The blood samples were collected from the kids on day 0 (presuckling) and on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days after birth. The Brix% and TP concentrations were measured with refractometers, and GGT activity was measured using a dry chemistry system. The duration of the GCT was determined in the first 60 min. The serum IgG concentration was measured by goat IgG ELISA kit. On the 1st and 2nd days, serum Brix% in the kids was measured as 9.33 ± 0.17% and 9.17 ± 0.14%, respectively. In the 1st and 2nd day serum samples of the kids, IgG was 817.76 ± 37.34 mg/dL and 1173.29 ± 47.81 mg/dL, respectively, and GGT was 1298.07 ± 133.29 IU/L and 692.26 ± 79.86 IU/L, respectively. The Brix refractometer was found to be more sensitive for detection of PT status in kids on the first and second days after birth, such as TP and GCT, whereas GGT, as an early indicator of PT, was useful only on the first day after birth. We conclude that the Brix refractometer could be used to determine the PT status in goat kids and Brix measurements lower than 8.6%, 9.2%, and 9.3% indicate failure of PT in 1-, 2-, and 3-day-old kids, respectively.

Sixty multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows made up the study sample. Group M (n = 20) received 300 mg/day monensin (Kexxtone, Elanco) for 21 days prior to the expected calving date. Group PGC (n = 20) received propylene glycol, mixed with concentrate and fed separately from total mixed ration (TMR) twice a day in the last 21 days of gestation. The control group, Group C (n = 20) did not receive any treatment prior to parturition. Cows in all three groups received PG (300 mL/day) for 5 days after parturition. Blood samples were collected 21 and 7 days prior to the expected calving date, as well as 7 and 14 days after parturition. NEFA and BHBA levels did not differ between the treatment groups. However, milk yield of Group M was significantly higher than that of Group C during weeks 3, 4, and 5 of lactation. Although NEFA and BHBA levels were similar in both treatment groups, higher milk yield in monensin-treated cows could be related to an increase in glycogenic precursors resulting from favorable effects of monensin on ruminal bacterial flora.