Transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves: the effectiveness of providing a supplementary colostrum meal in addition to nursing from the dam

Abstract

Failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in dairy calves – which is often due to the low amount of colostrum provided within a few hours after birth – remains a crucial issue. Enabling dairy calves to nurse colostrum from their dams could be useful in increasing intake and thus avoiding FTPI, but further potential effects on the health and welfare of both calves and dams should also be considered. In this study, 107 calf-dam pairs from two Italian dairy farms were alternately assigned to one of the following colostrum provision methods (CPMs): ‘hand-fed method’ (HFM) – the calf was separated from the dam immediately after birth and colostrum was provided by nipple-bottle (n = 50); ‘nursing method’ (NM) – the calf nursed colostrum from the dam for the first 12 h of life without farmer assistance (n = 30); and ‘mixed method’ (MM) – the nursing calf received a supplementary colostrum meal by nipple-bottle (n = 27). Serum of calves (1 to 5 days of age) and samples of their first colostrum meal were analysed by electrophoresis to assess immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration. Additionally, behavioural indicators of separation distress (calf and dam vocalisations; calf refusal of the first meal after separation; undesirable dam behaviour at milking) in the following 24 h were recorded as binary variables (Yes/No), and the health status of calves (disease occurrence and mortality) and dams (postpartum disorders and mastitis occurrence) were monitored for the first 3 months of life and 7 days after parturition, respectively. The lowest FTPI occurrence (calf serum Ig concentration <10.0 g/l) was found in the MM (11.1%) and the HFM (22.0%) compared with the NM (60.0%) (P<0.05), and the highest percentage of calves with optimal transfer of passive immunity (serum Ig concentration ≥16.0 g/l) was observed in the MM (55.6%). The lowest calf–dam separation distress was observed in the HFM (P<0.05). The highest calf disease occurrence was recorded in the HFM (64.0%) and the lowest in the NM (33.3%), with an intermediate value for the MM (44.4%) (P<0.05). No effect of the CPM was observed on dam health or calf mortality (P>0.05). The results of this study indicated that providing calves with a supplementary colostrum meal in addition to nursing from the dam (MM) is truly effective in maximizing passive immunity transfer. Anyway, specific strategies should be studied to minimise calf-dam separation distress.

Current Diagnostic Methods for Assessing Transfer of Passive Immunity in Calves and Possible Improvements: A Literature Review

“…FTPI is defined as a <1.0 g/dL serum IgG concentration in 1-7 d old calves [16]. This cutoff point is questioned and higher cutoffs, such as 1.5 [26,27] or 2.0-2.5 [28] g/dL, which are more consistent with the challenges posed by the current rearing systems and related to better calf performance, are also suggested. Recently, Lombard et al [29] reviewed the cutoff points for TPI and suggested the new cutoff points based on the increasing IgG and serum total protein (STP) concentrations, which were related to a reduced morbidity risk and improved calf performance.…”

Bovine Immunology: Implications for Dairy Cattle

“…A majority of dairy calves are reared on pasteurized waste milk and milk replacers ( 148 ), and they are at higher risk suffering negative health sequalae due to FPT. Recent studies demonstrated that 2 vs 1 colostrum feedings after birth have resulted in decreased risk of FPT, reduced morbidity and improved growth rate ( 149 , 150 ). Finally, the protection from the passive immunity transferred to calves peaks 1–2 days and then starts declining.…”

Bovine Colostrum for Human Consumption—Improving Microbial Quality and Maintaining Bioactive Characteristics through Processing

“…Especially well described is the occurrence of infectious bovine diseases, e.g., mastitis. When the calves do not get enough good quality colostrum, the calves can develop microbial diseases due to inadequate passive immunity [11][12][13]. Specific microbes, e.g., Mycoplasma bovis or Staphylococcus aureus, in the colostrum provoke the mastitis [14].…”