ABSTRACT. To obtain basic information on the state of proinflammatory cytokines in newborn calves, we determined the kinetics of 5 cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1 receptor antagonist) in sera of newborns during the first 4 weeks of life. At birth, none of the 5 cytokines were detected in almost all serum samples, but the cytokines became detectable within 12 hr after being fed colostram. The mean concentrations of the cytokines reached peak levels by 24 hr and then gradually decreased and became undetectable by 4 weeks after birth. Cytokine mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of newborns were observed without reference to the cytokine concentrations in sera. Serum cytokines detected in newborn calves are probably colostral origin. KEY WORDS: calf-serum, colostrum, cytokine.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 65 (7): [813][814][815][816] 2003 Resistance to infection is determined by the host immune state. The immune state of neonatal calves is largely dependent on the colostrum they are fed. Immunoglobulin, one of resistant factors present in colostrum, is known to play a protective role. The presence of several cytokines in bovine colostrum has been shown by several investigators [4][5][6]15]. In addition, oral administration of recombinant bovine (rb) IL-1β, one of the colostral cytokines, to neonatal calves resulted in the appearance of the cytokine in circulation and the activation of circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils [7]. Furthermore, and TNF-α and IFN-γ [17], which are also present in bovine colostrum [6], have been reported to potentiate immunological functions. Therefore, cytokines transferred to neonates via colostrum are considered to contribute to maturation of neonatal immune functions.To obtain basic information on the state of cytokines in neonatal calves, we measured the levels of five cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1ra) in serum samples and expression of these cytokine mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from neonatal calves after they had been fed colostrum.Specimens were collected from Holstein Friesian cattle that were kept at the dairy farm of Rakuno Gakuen University. Blood was obtained by cervical vessel puncture using a sterile vacuum syringe from healthy calves at birth before being fed colostrum (n=21) and at 12 hr (hr) (n=19), 1 day (n=21), 2 days (n=18), 3 days (n=18), 5 days (n=17), 7 days (n=16), 14 days (n=13), 21 days (n=11) and 28 days (n=11) after birth. Newborn calves were fed about 2 l of colostrum from respective dams (n=10) or pools (n=11) within 2 hr after birth and then fed colostrum from respective dams two times a day by 5 days after birth. The other 4 calves, as controls, fed formula as substitute for colostrum for 3 days and their blood were collected during this period. Sera were stored at -30°C until use. PBMC from newborn calves (n=10) were prepared from heparinized peripheral blood of healthy calves at birth to 28 days after birth as described previously [21].The concentrations of...