Immunoglobulin Concentration, Specific Gravity, and Nitrogen Fractions of Colostrum from Jersey Cattle

Abstract

Colostrum samples from 88 Jersey cows were analyzed for concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA, total solids, specific gravity, and N fractions. Colostrum (50 ml) was sampled from each cow as soon as possible after parturition, and specific gravity was determined immediately using a hydrometer. Samples then were frozen prior to analysis of Ig, fat, and N fractions. Mean concentrations of IgG, IgM, and IgA were 65.8, 2.4, and 1.7 g/L, respectively. Concentration of IgG was lower, and IgA was higher, in colostrum from second lactation cows than from first lactation cows or from cows in third or later lactations; IgM increased linearly as lactation number increased. Total N, protein N, noncasein N, and fat contents also were lower in second lactation cows. Regression of total Ig (grams per liter) on specific gravity was -1172 + 1180 x specific gravity (r2 = .38). Relationship of total Ig to specific gravity differed from colostrum of Holstein cattle and may have been related to differences in fat and noncasein N concentrations. Use of specific gravity hydrometer to estimate Ig concentration using equations derived from Holstein cattle appears to underestimate Ig concentration in colostrum from Jersey cattle.

Factors affecting immunoglobulin concentration in colostrum of healthy Holstein cows immediately after delivery

“…Immunoglobulin concentrations in ϐirst milking colostrum (9,200 mg/dL IgG; 400mg/dLIgA ; and 800mg/dL IgM) were greater than 4,820 mg/dL IgG1 reported by Pritchett et al (1991), 6,730mg/dL IgG reported by Quigley et al (1994), and 3,496mg/dL IgG1 reported by Kehoe et al (2007). These differences may be related to breed, nutritional and sanitary management of the herd, and the technique used in the Ig assay, once Quigley et al (1994) and Kehoe et al (2007) used a colostrometer for indirect quantiϐication of Ig levels in colostrum.…”

“…These differences may be related to breed, nutritional and sanitary management of the herd, and the technique used in the Ig assay, once Quigley et al (1994) and Kehoe et al (2007) used a colostrometer for indirect quantiϐication of Ig levels in colostrum. However, pre-delivery vaccination of cows may have been the main factor inϐluencing Ig concentrations, which were greater than the ones reported by these other authors.…”

“…They are transferred from blood to the udder during colostrogenesis (Lascelles 1979, Larson et al 1980, Barrington & Parrish 2001. However, Ig concentration in colostrum is still affected by several other factors, such as breed, number of milkings after delivery, number of lactations, length of the dry period, season when calving took place and body condition score (Oyeniyi & Hunter 1978, Muller & Ellinger 1981, Pritchett et al 1991, Shearer et al 1992, Quigley et al 1994, Filteau et al 2003, Jaster 2005, Kehoe et al 2007.…”

“…Colostrometer determination of Ig concentrations in Jersey cows before the ϐirst milking was reported by Quigley et al (1994): 6,580mg/dL IgG, 240mg/dL IgM and 170mg/dL IgA. Oyeniyi & Hunter (1978) evaluated immunoglobulin G concentration in the colostrum of Holstein cows during the ϐirst three milkings postpartum, and reported means e of 3,240mg/dL and 2,540mg/dL in colostrum samples collected in the ϐirst and second milking, respectively.…”

Nutritional and microbiological quality of bovine colostrum samples in Brazil

“…In addition to the bacteria that degrade carbohydrates, bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella can be present, which are organisms responsible for causing diseases such as diarrhea. According to Quigley et al (1994), there are several causes of diarrhea in calves such as a high bacterial load in the environment, failure of handling, and poor animal resistance. Thus, the supply of colostrum contaminated with diarrhea-causing microorganisms, while it does reduce the capacity of the animal to absorb IgG (James et al, 1981), also contributes to be the main cause of this disease.…”