Serum lactoferrin concentrations in colostrum-fed calves.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Neonatal Calf Care
• Immunology

Background:

• Colostrum is crucial for passive immunity transfer in neonatal calves.
• Lactoferrin, an important whey protein in colostrum, possesses antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties.
• Understanding lactoferrin absorption is vital for optimizing calf health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure serum lactoferrin concentrations (SLFC) in neonatal calves before and after colostrum intake.
• To develop predictive models for SLFC based on colostral lactoferrin concentrations (CLFC) and passive transfer efficiency.
• To investigate the relationship between lactoferrin absorption and calf serum levels over time.

Main Methods:

• 13 Holstein calves were studied, fed 4L of colostrum within 3 hours of birth.
• Serum and colostrum samples were collected on days 0, 2, 4, 6, and 7 post-birth.
• Concentrations of lactoferrin and IgG were quantified using ELISA and radial immunodiffusion, respectively.

Main Results:

• Mean SLFC significantly increased by day 6 (17.1 ± 13.6 mg/ml) compared to day 0 (2.5 ± 1.6 mg/ml).
• Models predicting SLFC on day 6 and 7 showed moderate predictive power (R2 = 0.4 and R2 = 0.44, respectively).
• Lactoferrin absorption efficiency was directly related to SLFC on day 6 but inversely on day 7.

Conclusions:

• Early SLFC (days 2-4) did not differ significantly from baseline, questioning definitive passive transfer of lactoferrin.
• Lactoferrin absorption dynamics are complex, varying between days 6 and 7 post-colostrum feeding.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate lactoferrin's passive transfer and absorption in neonatal calves.