Antibody responses to neonatal immunisation in calves

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Immunology
• Neonatal Calf Physiology

Background:

• Neonatal calves rely on colostrum for passive immunity.
• Understanding factors influencing early immune development is crucial for calf health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of maternal antibodies on neonatal calf immune responses.
• To compare immunoglobulin production in colostrum-fed versus colostrum-deprived calves.

Main Methods:

• Calves were fed colostrum (CF) or deprived (CD) and immunized with various antigens at different ages.
• Antibody responses and immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgA) production were measured.
• Maternal antibody presence was assessed for specific antigens.

Main Results:

• Neonatal calves with maternal antibodies showed unresponsiveness to specific antigens.
• Colostrum-deprived calves and colostrum-fed calves without maternal antibodies mounted significant responses.
• Endogenous immunoglobulin production occurred earlier in colostrum-deprived calves.

Conclusions:

• Maternal antibodies significantly inhibit neonatal immune responses.
• Early immunoglobulin production is accelerated in the absence of colostrum.
• The presence of maternal antibodies, rather than lymphoid immaturity, is the primary factor affecting neonatal immunological responsiveness.