C-Reactive Protein and Antibacterial Activity in Blood Plasma of Colostrum-Fed Calves and the Effect of Lactulose

Abstract

Several milk proteins are very important for immunological defense and can be absorbed in the intestine of calves in the first hours after birth. The influence of colostrum intake and the effect of additional lactulose application on the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in blood were investigated. The CRP is known as a mediator of innate immunity. Results were compared to the bovine acute phase protein haptoglobin, and to lactalbumin, lactoferrin, and immunoglobulins in plasma from calves. After colostrum intake, the concentration of most proteins were strongly increased. The data show, for the first time, a significant increase of CRP in the blood of calves 1 d after colostrum intake (nonlactulose group, n = 10), and an even more significant increase in CRP concentration (1 d postpartum) was measured in the group of animals with additional application of lactulose (lactulose group, n = 10) when compared to the nonlactulose group. In an in vitro assay with the plasma of these animals, an increased bactericidal activity was detected against Morganella morganii (1 d postpartum) in both groups, but again a higher activity occurred in the lactulose group. The results of these investigations emphasize the importance of colostrum intake during the first hours after birth for the defense potential of newborn calves. In addition, lactulose may have a positive effect in the period of passive transfer of colostrum proteins and in the immune defense.

Effect of lactulose on growth performance and intestinal morphology of pre-ruminant calves using a milk replacer containing Enterococcus faecium

“…Thus, in all experimental groups, we used a MR containing the probiotic bacteria E. faecium to achieve a possible improvement of health. The effect of lactulose as a prebiotic in animal nutrition was reported in studies with pigs (Kien et al, 1999;Krueger et al, 2002) and calves (Schroedl et al, 2003;Landwirtschaftskammer Westfalen Lippe and Universitä t Leipzig, 2003). However, the effect of lactulose on pre-ruminant calves has not been investigated in detail.…”

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in noninfected neonates and those with suspected early-onset bacterial infection

“…Our noninfected group, however, certainly does not represent an ideal population, since neonates were not necessarily free of a history of maternal and intrapartum complications. Similar to CRP, the 'physiological' postnatal LBP increase may be attributed to intestinal colonization, contact with bacterial components, colostrum, lactulose, 18 or postnatal maturation of hepatic function. 19 Neonates with suspected EOBI showed elevated IL-8 and LBP concentrations within 6 and 12 h, which was in contrast to CRP (Table 2, Figure 2, Figure 3a).…”

Electronic nose responses and acute phase proteins correlate in blood using a bovine model of respiratory infection☆

“…Haptoglobin (Hp) Concentrations of Hp in sera were measured by means of an ELISA as described previously [26,27]. The coating antibody was IgG (rabbit) anti-human haptoglobin (DAKO, Hamburg, Germany).…”