Changes in serum immunoglobulin levels in Jerseys and Friesians near calving

IgG1 and IgM levels were significantly lower in bovine serum from four weeks before, until at least two months after calving, whereas IgG2 levels were elevated at this time. The shapes of the changes in Ig levels were different for first and second calving and it appeared that IgG1 levels were secreted earlier, from serum to colostrum, in heifers. Changes in management caused marked changes in Ig levels particularly after third calving when the cows were transferred from a balanced complete diet to grass or hay. IgG1 levels increased by 130 per cent and stayed high whereas the increase in IgM was transitory, and IgG2 levels largely unaffected. In Friesians the IgG2 levels increased with age as anticipated from previous studies but in Jerseys the levels appeared to decline with age. Mean IgG2 levels in Jerseys were also significantly lower than in Friesians.