Colostrum and Failure of Passive Transfer in Farm Animals

Question 1

When does transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig) to the udder occur?

Answer 1

4-6 weeks before calving and IgG is actively transferred into colostrum

Question 2

How is IgG transferred to calf?

Answer 2

Colostrum is ingested by the calf and Ig is absorbed by the epithelial cells of the small intestine and passes into peripheral circulation via lymphatics

Question 3

How is systemic protection of the calf achieved?

Answer 3

IgG and IgM

Question 4

How is local protection of the intestine achieved?

Answer 4

Re-excretion of IgG into gut lumen and passage of IgA in colostrum (and milk) through gut lumen

Question 5

What level of IgG is need for protection?

Answer 5

5g/l of IgG in plasma and for no disease to occur need 10g/l of IgG

Question 6

What factors influence uptake of Ig?

Answer 6

Rapid decrease with each milking
Milk yield high = dilution of Ig in milk as only 29% Holsteins have 100g of Ig in 2l of milk
Dairy vs beef cattle - beef calves drink more of more concentrated colostrum

Question 7

What factors influence the quality of colostrum?

Answer 7

Pre-calving milking or leaking, Short dry period, Premature calving or abortion, Heifers vs cows (heifers more naive but cows higher milk yield causes increased dilution), Mastitis, exposure to pathogens and vaccination of dam

Question 8

What factors affect the volume of colostrum suckled?

Answer 8

Calf factors - weak calf, acidosis, dystocia, mouth problem
Teat factors - sore teats, teat shape/alignment, dropped udder
Mother factors - poor mothering, heifers, disturbance/stress, overcrowding of calving area, caesarean section, milk fever/downer cow, slippery floors

Question 9

How can the farmer ensure passive transfer?

Answer 9

Assisted suckling with 20-30 minutes continuous suckling to ingest 2l of colostrum
Bottle and teat but need lots of practice
Oesophageal feeder

Question 10

What does closure of the gut wall depend on?

Answer 10

Protein in the intestine

Time after calving (6h=66% absorption, 12h=46% absorption, 24h=12% absorption, 36h=7%)

Question 11

How can you assess Ig uptake?

Answer 11

Measuring serum Ig of calf or specific gravity of colostrum

Question 12

What needs to be done if failure of passive transfer?

Answer 12

Feed transfer feed stored colostrum or feed commercial supplement