Short communication: Comparative estimation of colostrum quality by Brix refractometry in bovine, caprine, and ovine colostrum

Kessler, Evelyne; Bruckmaier, Rupert M.; Gross, Josef Johann

doi:10.3168/jds.2020-19020

Cited by 40 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The positive correlations between Brix and IgG are not surprising given the respective relationships between %Brix and total protein content in colostrum (r p = 0.81; p < 0.001; Figure 1d); this finding was similar to those detected in goats (r p = 0.89; p < 0.001) and sheep (r = 0.87; p < 0.001) [29]. Brix measurements are in fact related to total solids and thus indirectly to estimating IgG [40].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…Weaver et al (2000) [10] reported single radial immunodiffusion (sRID) [20][21][22] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to be the only true and direct measures of colostrum or serum IgG [23][24][25]. IgG can also be measured indirectly by rapid on farm methods including refractometry, which represents an inexpensive, rapid, and accurate test that has shown a close relationship with IgG measured by laboratory methods for colostrum and serum samples in Bovines [1,2,[26][27][28][29], goat and sheep [29]. Brix refractometers have been promoted by the dairy industry as an effective on-farm rapid tool to estimate colostral IgG and colostrum quality [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Brix Refractometry to Estimate Immunoglobulin G Content in Buffalo Colostrum and Neonatal Calf Serum

Giammarco

Chincarini

Fusaro

et al. 2021

Animals

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Brix refractometry has been widely demonstrated to be a useful tool for monitoring colostrum management program and passive immunity transfer (PIT) in Bovines, but its suitability has never been verified in Buffalo. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of a simple and rapid tool such as a digital Brix refractometer to estimate colostrum quality and for evaluating the success of passive transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Buffalo calves. The optimal cut points levels for Brix Refractometry for distinguishing good- and poor-quality colostrum and for assessing the adequacy of passive immunity transfer in calves were determined. For this aim, 26 first-milking maternal colostrum (MC) were collected from first-calf heifers. Blood samples were obtained from their calves at birth (T0) and 72 hours after (T3). Colostrum and Serum IgG content were determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas total protein (TP, g/dL) and percentage Brix (%Brix) by means of a digital Brix refractometer. The mean colostrum IgG was 64.9 ± 29.3 mg/mL. The mean serum %Brix at T3 was 9.6 ± 0.9 %. The mean serum IgG content at T3 was 11.1 ± 2.0 mg/mL. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (rp) was determined between Brix and ELISA measurements: colostrum %Brix showed a significant correlation with serum %Brix (rp = 0.82, p < 0.001); serum %Brix was highly correlated with serum TP (STP, g/dL) (rp = 0.98, p < 0.001) and serum IgG (mg/mL) (rp = 0.85, p < 0.001). A cut point of 18% Brix to estimate samples of MC ≥ 50 mg/mL from first-calf heifers was more appropriate for the buffalo. A cut point of 8.4% Brix resulted in the greatest percentage of calf serum samples being correctly classified. Based on our findings, a digital Brix refractometer could be a useful tool to monitor colostrum quality and to estimate PIT in Buffalo calves.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Brix Refractometry to Estimate Immunoglobulin G Content in Buffalo Colostrum and Neonatal Calf Serum

Giammarco

Chincarini

Fusaro

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…In a recent study by Kessler et al [ 9 ], using an optical Brix refractometer, Brix values ranged from 11.4 to 34.6% and 15.4 to 40.0% in bovine and ovine colostrum, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In both species, Brix was highly correlated with IgG and protein concentrations (bovine, r = 0.98; ovine, r = 0.87) [ 9 ]. The Brix refractometer measures the total solutions dissolved and not specifically Ig, so differences in colostrum nutrient contribuite to a variation in the final estimate.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suitability of Protein Content Measured by MilkoScan FT-Plus Milk Analyzer to Evaluate Bovine and Ovine Colostrum Quality

Spina

Ceniti

Trimboli

et al. 2021

Animals

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The objective of this study was to evaluate MilkoScan FT-plus for the estimation of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in bovine and ovine colostrum. Between April and May 2016, a total of 94 colostrum samples (54 from Simmental dairy cows and 39 from Sarda ewes) were collected within 6 h (T0) and after 24 h (T24) from parturition. Colostrum samples were subjected to the radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay for the quantification of IgG and to MilkoScan FT-plus for the estimation of protein content (TP, %), which was then used as an indirect method for the evaluation of colostrum quality. To compare the two methods, correlation and regression analysis of IgG quantification by RID and protein (%) content estimation by MilkoScan FT-plus data was performed using Procedure CORR and Procedure REG of SAS, respectively (version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Thresholds for the classification of good colostrum quality (as determined by RID assay, the gold standard method) were set at 50 g of IgG/L in cows and 20 g of IgG/L in ewes. The concentration of IgG in bovine colostrum assayed by RID showed a variation ranging from 41.45 to 199.97 g/L with an average of 99.85 ± 40.84 g/L at T0, and from 2.83 to 75.93 g/L with an average of 19.76 ± 19.01 g/L at T24. Regarding ovine colostrum, the concentration of IgG assayed by RID ranged from 34.45 to 156.32 g/L with an average value of 77.82 ± 37.58 g/L at T0, and from 5.6 to 69.74 g/L with an average of 27.90 ± 19.81 g/L at T24. Colostrum TP ranged from 3.70 to 23.96% for bovine colostrum and 6.32 to 22.88% for ovine colostrum using MilkoScan FT-plus. MilkoScan FT-plus and RID data were highly and significantly correlated (r = 0.91 for bovine and r = 0.94 for ovine colostrum), and regression analysis showed a strong relationship between IgG concentration provided by RID assay and TP provided by MilkoScan FT-plus (R2 = 0.84 and 0.88 for bovine and ovine, respectively). Optimal cut-off points for the greatest accuracy of TP (%) determined by MilkoScan FT-plus were 12.8% in cows [with 88.9% sensitivity (Se) and 100% specificity (Sp)] and 9% in ewes (with 96.7% Se and 100% Sp). In conclusion, these outcomes indicate that MilkoScan FT-plus as an indirect method may be a reliable tool for the estimation of the total IgG concentration and quality in bovine and ovine colostrum. Moreover, the cut-off levels of 12.8% for bovine and 9% for ovine of TP, seem sufficient to ensure that all poor-quality colostrum can be classified as such, with only a low proportion of good-quality colostrum being misclassified as poor-colostrum, thereby increasing the probability of delivering good-quality colostrum to new-born calves and lambs.

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Using health and performance data for efficient sheep production

Page¹,

Stubbings²,

Blyth³

2023

In Practice

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Background: It's important that practitioners have a deep understanding of how flock health can be measured and managed to improve animal health and efficiency, and help to drive productivity and profitability of their clients' farms. Aim of the article: This article provides guidance on how to develop flock health visits so that they add value and have an impact on driving efficiency, as well as on how to deliver proactive advice based on farm data and key performance indicators (KPIs). The article also discusses the types and levels of data and ways it can be collected, and provides an overview of the most useful KPIs and how to use them to set priorities for the farm and assess the impacts and benefits of interventions for the flock.

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Short communication: Comparative estimation of colostrum quality by Brix refractometry in bovine, caprine, and ovine colostrum

Cited by 40 publications

References 33 publications

Evaluation of Brix Refractometry to Estimate Immunoglobulin G Content in Buffalo Colostrum and Neonatal Calf Serum

Evaluation of Brix Refractometry to Estimate Immunoglobulin G Content in Buffalo Colostrum and Neonatal Calf Serum

Suitability of Protein Content Measured by MilkoScan FT-Plus Milk Analyzer to Evaluate Bovine and Ovine Colostrum Quality

Using health and performance data for efficient sheep production

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