Evidence for suppression or incomplete maturation of cell-mediated immunity in neonatal calves as determined by...

Fifteen bovine fetuses were inoculated in utero 20 to 123 days before birth with a mixture of killed Mycobacterium bovis, tetanus toxoid, and ferritin in Freund's complete adjuvant. On the day of birth (day 0) and when the calves were 21 days of age, the calves were skin-tested to each of the antigens for delayed-type hypersensitivity. Nine delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to the various antigens were obtained at the 0-day test, whereas 28 responses were obtained at the 21-day test. Of those responses that were positive, the mean differences in the double skin-fold thickness before testing and 48 hours later were 5.4 mm for the 0-day and 21-day test and 9.4 mm for the 21-day test. Six control calves that were not inoculated in utero were skin tested on days 0 and 21 and did not exhibit any positive reactions. There was no indication that the interval between immunization and birth had any effect on the immune response. Cellular characteristics of the reactions at 0 and 21 days were the same.