Prevalence of failure of passive transfer of immunity in newborn heifer calves and associated management practices on US dairy operations

Abstract

Failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) in dairy replacement calves has been linked to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term decreases in productivity. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves in 2007 and to use nationally representative data to investigate associations of FPT with colostrum and calf management practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted by the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System between January and August 2007. Producers from 394 operations in 17 states completed survey questions about colostrum and calf management practices, and serum samples were collected from 1,816 healthy heifer calves on those operations. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion, and calves were classified as having FPT if the IgG concentration was less than 10 mg/mL. To investigate associations between FPT and management practices, a multivariable analysis was completed using a weighted logistic regression model. The estimated prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves was 19.2%. The odds of FPT were higher for calves on operations that pooled colostrum [odds ratio (OR = 2.2)], allowed nursing (OR = 2.4), or hand fed colostrum more than 4 h after birth (OR = 2.7). The odds of FPT were also higher for calves on operations that did not provide a source of heat during cold weather for calves experiencing a dystocia (OR = 1.6), would not seek veterinary assistance when unable to correctly position a calf for delivery (OR = 2.6), or did not routinely monitor serum proteins in calves as a measure of passive transfer (OR = 13.8). The prevalence of FPT in dairy heifer calves has decreased in the last 15 yr, so progress has been made in this important area of calf management. This study identified several management practices associated with FPT that could be targeted for educational campaigns or further research.

Effect of different postnatal care practices on serum gamma globulin concentrations in neonatal foals

“…Studies in cattle have shown a higher rate of FTPI in calves allowed to nurse unassisted compared to those given colostrum by bottle or feeding tube (Besser et al 1991, Beam et al 2009), but studies evaluating the effects of assisted compared to unassisted colostrum intake in foals are lakking. In the present study, foals were only given colostrum by bottle or tube if they did not nurse unassisted to avert interfering with the dam-foal bond.…”

Questionnaire identifying management practices surrounding calving on spring-calving dairy farms and their associations with herd size and herd expansion

“…In terms of management, a delay in collection of colostrum from the cow, pooling of colostrum, general poor hygiene, as well as warm storage conditions can result in poorer quality colostrum (Stewart et al, 2005;Godden, 2008;Conneely et al, 2013). Additionally, colostrum feeding management protocols such as inadequate volume of colostrum fed to the neonate and delayed timing of the calf's first feed can adversely affect calf immunity (Weaver et al, 2000;Beam et al, 2009;Conneely et al, 2014).…”

Short communication: Immunoglobulin variation in quarter-milked colostrum

“…Failure of passive transfer is reported to be 19% in US dairy heifer calves (Beam et al, 2009), and part of this problem is attributed to feeding colostrum with a low immunoglobulin concentration (<50 mg/mL of IgG) or feeding an inadequate volume of colostrum with low colostrum IgG concentration (Weaver et al, 2000;Godden, 2008). The concentrations of IgG 1 and IgG 2 in serum of dairy cows are approximately equal, at ~5 to 12 mg/mL, but colostrum shows a very selective mammary transfer of IgG 1 accounting for up to a ~10-fold enhancement (Sordillo et al, 1987).…”