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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Determination of Vaccine Immunogenicity Using Bovine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 19, 2023
Determination of serologic and colostral response in late-gestation cows vaccinated with a Mycoplasma bovis bacterin
Christopher D Calloway1, Loren G Schultz, Munashe Chigerwe
1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Objective:
To determine whether vaccinating cows during late gestation against Mycoplasma bovis will result in adequate concentrations of M bovis-specific IgG(1) in serum, colostrum, and milk.
Animals:
78 dairy cows.
Procedures:
Serum samples were obtained 60 and 39 days prior to expected parturition in vaccinated and control cows from a single herd. Serum and colostrum samples were also obtained at parturition. Milk samples were obtained 7 to 14 days after parturition. Samples were analyzed for anti-M bovis IgG(1) concentrations.
Results:
Prior to vaccination, control and vaccinated cows had similar anti-M bovis IgG(1) concentrations. After initial vaccination and subsequent booster and at parturition, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups, with vaccinated cows having higher IgG concentrations. Colostrum from vaccinated cows had higher anti-M bovis IgG(1) concentrations, compared with control cows; however, IgG(1) concentrations in milk did not differ between the 2 groups.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Vaccination of late-gestation cows resulted in increased concentrations of anti-M bovis IgG(1) in colostrum. However, ingestion of colostrum by calves may not guarantee protection against M bovis infection.
