Yield of colostrum and immunoglobulin in cattle at the first milking after parturition

Abstract

SUMMARYThe experimental animals consisted of 71 heifers or cows of the Black and White Danish breed (SDM), 61 heifers or cows of the Red Danish breed (RDM), and 8 heifers or cows of the Jersey breed. Highly significant differences between breeds were found in yield of colostrum at first milking after calving and in the concentration of immunoglobulin (Ig) in colostrum. The RDM animals had the highest colostrum yield but the lowest Ig %. The total yield of Ig was not significantly different between RDM and SDM. The individual variation in colostrum yield, Ig %, and Ig yield was very marked.Heifers had a lower colostrum yield and Ig yield than cows in second and later lactations. For SDM the Ig % was not dependent on the lactation number. In contrast the older RDM cows had a significantly higher Ig % in colostrum than the younger cows. No effect of season of the year was found on colostrum yield, Ig %, and Ig yield. An increase of the interval between calving and the first milking caused a very significant drop in colostrum Ig %. Loss of colostrum from the udder before milking increased the probability of getting colostrum with low Ig %. The repeatability in Ig % at successive calvings was found to be high.

Factors associated with the concentration of immunoglobulin G in the colostrum of dairy cows

“…However, results from the present study are nonetheless consistent with others (Kruse, 1970). The lower quantity of colostrum produced by this group of animals is not surprising, given that the total milk yield of first lactation heifers throughout the entire lactation is less than that of cows in later lactations (Horan et al, 2005).…”

“…The lower mean IgG concentration in younger cows is consistent with previous studies (Kruse, 1970;Muller and Ellinger, 1981;Pritchett et al, 1991). The immunoglobulins of bovine serum transferred into colostrum carry a wide array of antibody properties against a multitude of antigens to which the cow has been exposed (Larson et al, 1980); older cows are likely to be exposed to a greater number of pathogenic antigens in their lifetime, which is the likely explanation for the increase in colostral IgG with increasing parity.…”

“…Ensuring that the neonatal calf ingests and absorbs a critical mass of IgG from colostrum is necessary for it to acquire immunity (McGuirk and Collins, 2004) and is established as being crucial to its future health and productivity (Kruse, 1970;Robison et al, 1988;DeNise et al, 1989). The bovine placenta does not allow the transfer of immunoglobulins from the dam to the calf while in utero and so the newborn calf must absorb a critical mass of IgG from colostrum before cessation of intestinal transport occurs at 24 to 36 h of age to acquire immunity against the pathogenic organisms it will encounter as soon as it is born (Weaver et al, 2000).…”

“…Although much research has been conducted on the factors associated with colostrum quality in cows, including parity (Pritchett et al, 1991;Gulliksen et al, 2008;Kehoe et al, 2011), breed (Muller and Ellinger, 1981), length of the dry period (Pritchett et al, 1991), time interval from calving to milking (Lomba et al, 1978;Moore et al, 2005;Morin et al, 2010) and volume of colostrum produced (Kruse, 1970;Pritchett et al, 1991), few studies have examined the factors associated with the colostrum quality of cows in seasonal, grass-based systems such as those that exist in Ireland. Moreover, only a limited number of studies have attempted to quantify the relationship between colostral IgG concentration and colostral weight (Pritchett et al, 1991;Guy et al, 1994;Baumrucker et al, 2010).…”

Effect of Non Genetic Factors on the Concentration of Immunoglobulin G in the Colostrum of Murrah Buffaloes

“…However, the factor of most critical importance is the concentration of IgG in colostrum (Pritchett et al, 1991). Although much research has been conducted on the factors associated with colostrum quality in cows, including parity (Pritchett et (Kruse, 1970;Pritchett et al, 1991), few studies have examined the factors associated with the colostrum quality of Murrah buffaloes.…”