Effects of a colostrum replacement product derived from serum on immunoglobulin G absorption by calves

Calves are born hypogammaglobulinemic and rely on immunoglobulin (Ig) from colostrum to obtain passive immunity. Previous research has indicated that colostrum supplements derived from milk are less effective than is maternal colostrum in providing adequate IgG to neonatal calves. Our objective was to determine the absorption of IgG by newborn calves fed a USDA food-grade colostrum supplement derived from bovine serum or fed pooled maternal colostrum. Holstein calves (n = 20; 10 bulls) were removed from the dam within 1 h of birth and were housed in individual stalls for the 24-h study. Calves were fed 2 L of colostrum or colostrum replacer at 1.5 and 13.5 h (+/- 0.1 h). Calves were blocked by colostrum pool, and replacer was fed to provide equal intakes of IgG within blocks. Jugular blood was collected at 1 and 24 h (+/- 0.1 h) for analysis of IgG by radial immunodiffusion. At 24 h, calves were injected with 1.5 ml of Evans blue dye to estimate plasma volume. Mean plasma IgG at 24 h of age was 7.3 +/- 0.4 g/L and was affected by an interaction of block and treatment. Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption of 24 h was reduced when 750 g of the colostrum replacement product were fed but was increased when 266 g of colostrum replacement product were fed. Mean plasma volume was unaffected by treatment and was 3.5 +/- 0.2 L or 9.1% of BW. These data indicate that efficiency of IgG absorption from the colostrum replacement product may be affected by amount of material fed. Proteins other than IgG in the colostrum replacement product might have reduced the efficiency of IgG absorption.