The Effect of Corticosteroid on Absorption and Endogenous Production of Immunoglobulins in Calves

Abstract

An attempt was made to determine the efFect of corticosteroid on intestinal absorption and subsequent endogenous synthesis of immunoglobulins by the newborn calf. This was carried out by measuring changes in the serum concentration of IgGj, IgG2, IgM and IgA at intervals after birth in a total of 14 calves, 11 of which were born of corticosteroid-treated cows and the remainder from untreated cows. Calves were each fed 2 1 of a large volume of mixed colostrum in the first 6 hours after birth.The results indicate that corticosteroid treatment of cows induced early parturition and inhibited intestinal absorption of immunoglobulin. For the treated calves the efficiency of absorption for each immunoglobulin was half that for the untreated calves (P < 0-01). The time of onset of endogenous production of IgGj, IgGa and IgM was similar in treated and untreated calves, but the increase in serum IgA concentrations was delayed in treated calves.The practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Effects of Induction of Parturition in Ewes with Dexamethasone or Oestrogen on Concentrations of Immunoglobulins in Colostrum, and Absorption of Immunoglobulins by Lambs

“…It was not clear (Muller et al 1975) if the impaired immunoglobulin absorption reported in calves (Husband et al 1973) was caused by the length of action of the corticosteroid used or by the immaturity of the calves at birth. The results presented here show that a single dose of a short-acting corticosteroid, given, on average, 2 days before parturition, produced the effect in relatively mature lambs born close to normal term.…”

“…Husband et al (1973) found that induction of calving with a long-acting corticosteroid inhibited the intestinal absorption of immunoglobulins in calves. In contrast, Muller et al (1975) found no effect of a short-acting corticosteroid (dexamethasone: DEX) on serum protein, or (1.-and y-globulin levels in calves at 3 days of age.…”

Mucosally Delivered E1-Deleted Adenoviral Vaccine Carriers Induce Transgene Product-Specific Antibody Responses in Neonatal Mice

“…Interestingly, unlike adult mice that generate markedly higher titers upon intranasal than oral vaccination with the Ad vectors (44), pups developed equivalent or higher titers upon oral application of the vaccines. This may be a reflection of the increased intestinal permeability of neonates (39,40), which facilitates uptake of macromolecules such as Abs, cytokines, and antibacterial factors present in breast milk. We reported formerly that the AdC68rab.gp vector given i.m.…”

Colostral immunoglobulins absorption in Canchim and Nelore calves

“…Vann et al (1995), studying the process of colostral antibodies absorption in calves, found an efficiency of 26% for IgG, 62% for IgM and 19% for IgA, in the first 6 hours of life. Husband et al (1972), Boyd & Boyd (1987) and Klobasa et al (1998) observed values between 42 and 46% for immunoglobulin G, when colostrum was consumed between two and seven hours post-partum. Higher values of absorption efficiency were found by Bush et al (1973) e Matte et al (1982), 66% and 65,8%, respectively.…”

“…Thereafter, the concentration of serum immunoglobulins declines in consequence of the catabolism and transference of the antibodies to different metabolic pools. The establishiment of endogenous production of IgG increases its concentration until normal levels are reached (Tennant et al, 1969;Bush et al, 1971;Husband et al, 1972;Ribeiro et al, 1983;Machado Neto & Packer, 1986;Baracat et al, 1997).…”