Colostrum management for dairy calves

Document Type : Scientific-Extensional Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student of Animal and Poultry Physiology, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture at the Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Laboratory and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

Achieving early and adequate intake of high-quality colostrum is widely recognized as the single most important management factor in determining the health and survival of neonatal calves. Bovine colostrum consists of a mixture of lacteal secretions and constituents of blood serum, most notably Ig and other serum proteins, which accumulate in the mammary gland during the prepartum dry period. Colostrum management is the single most important management factor in determining calf health and survival. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of dairy calves suffer from failure of passive transfer of antibodies from colostrum, contributing to excessively high preweaning mortality rates and other short- and long-term losses associated with animal health, welfare, and productivity. A successful colostrum management program requires producers to consistently provide calves with a sufficient volume of clean, high-quality colostrum within the first 24 hours of life. In order to achieve acceptable passive transfer in greater than or equal to 90% of calves fed, it has been estimated that a minimum of 150 to 200 g of IgG needs to be delivered to the calf shortly after birth. This article reviews the important components of colostrum and factors associated with colostrum quality and yield. The key components of delivering and monitoring a successful colostrum management program are discussed.

Keywords

References

Aragona, K. M., Chapman, C. E., Pereira, A. B., Isenberg, B. J., Standish, R. B., Maugeri, C. J. and Erickson, P. S. (2016). “Prepartum supplementation of nicotinic acid: Effects on health of the dam, colostrum quality, and acquisition of immunity in the calf.” Journal of Dairy Science, 99(5), 3529-3538.
Bandrick, M., Ariza-Nieto, C., Baidoo, S. K. and Molitor, T. W. (2014). “Colostral antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity contributes to innate and antigen-specific immunity in piglets.” Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 43(1), 114-120.
Barrington, G. M., Besser, T. E., Gay, C. C., Davis, W. C., Reeves, J. J. and McFadden, T. B. (1997). “Effect of prolactin on in vitro expression of the bovine mammary immunoglobulin G1 receptor.” Journal of Dairy Science, 80(1), 94-100.
Blum, J. W. and Baumrucker, C. R. (2008). “Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF binding proteins, and other endocrine factors in milk: role in the newborn.” Bioactive Components of Milk, 397-422.
Chamorro, M. F., Walz, P. H., Haines, D. M., Passler, T., Earleywine, T., Palomares, R. A. and Givens, M. D. (2014). “Comparison of levels and duration of detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus 1, bovine viral diarrhea virus 2, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine herpesvirus 1, and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 in calves fed maternal colostrum or a colostrum-replacement product.” Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 78(2), 81-88.
Chen, T., Xie, M. Y., Sun, J. J., Ye, R. S., Cheng, X., Sun, R. P. and Zhang, Y. L. (2016). “Porcine milk-derived exosomes promote proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells.” Scientific Reports, 6(1), 1-12.
Davis, C. L. and Drackley, J. K. (1998). “The development, nutrition, and management of the young calf.” Iowa State University Press.
Donovan, D. C., Reber, A. J., Gabbard, J. D., Aceves-Avila, M., Galland, K. L., Holbert, K. A. and Hurley, D. J. (2007). “Effect of maternal cells transferred with colostrum on cellular responses to pathogen antigens in neonatal calves.” American Journal of Veterinary Research, 68(7), 778-782.
Elfstrand, L., Lindmark-Månsson, H., Paulsson, M., Nyberg, L. and Åkesson, B. (2002). “Immunoglobulins, growth factors and growth hormone in bovine colostrum and the effects of processing.” International Dairy Journal, 12(11), 879-887.
Elsohaby, I., McClure, J. T., Waite, L. A., Cameron, M., Heider, L. C. and Keefe, G. P. (2019). “Using serum and plasma samples to assess failure of transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves.” Journal of dairy science, 102(1), 567-577.
Faber, S. N., Faber, N. E., McCauley, T. C. and Ax, R. L. (2005). “Case study: effects of colostrum ingestion on lactational performance 1.” The Professional Animal Scientist, 21(5), 420-425.
Fischer, A. J., Malmuthuge, N. and Steele, M. A. (2018). “The effect of heat treatment of bovine colostrum on the concentration of oligosaccharides in colostrum and in the intestine of neonatal male Holstein calves.” Journal of Dairy Science, 101(1), 401-407.
Foley, J. A. and Otterby, D. E. (1978). “Availability, storage, treatment, composition, and feeding value of surplus colostrum: a review.” Journal of Dairy Science, 61(8), 1033-1060.
Furman-Fratczak, K., Rzasa, A. and Stefaniak, T. (2011). “The influence of colostral immunoglobulin concentration in heifer calves’ serum on their health and growth.” Journal of Dairy Science, 94(11), 5536-5543.
Gavin, K., Neibergs, H., Hoffman, A., Kiser, J. N., Cornmesser, M. A., Haredasht, S. A. and Moore, D. A. (2018). “Low colostrum yield in Jersey cattle and potential risk factors.” Journal of Dairy Science, 101(7), 6388-6398.
Godden, S. M., Lombard, J. E. and Woolums, A. R. (2019). “Colostrum management for dairy calves.” Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice, 35(3), 535-556.
Guy, M. A., McFadden, T. B., Cockrell, D. C. and Besser, T. E. (1994). “Regulation of colostrum formation in beef and dairy cows.” Journal of Dairy Science, 77(10), 3002-3007.
Hammon, H. M., Steinhoff-Wagner, J., Flor, J., Schönhusen, U. and Metges, C. C. (2013). “Lactation Biology Symposium: Role of colostrum and colostrum components on glucose metabolism in neonatal calves.” Journal of Animal Science, 91(2), 685-695.
Hernandez, D., Nydam, D. V., Godden, S. M., Bristol, L. S., Kryzer, A., Ranum, J. and Schaefer, D. (2016). “Brix refractometry in serum as a measure of failure of passive transfer compared to measured immunoglobulin G and total protein by refractometry in serum from dairy calves.” The Veterinary Journal, 211, 82-87.
Izumi, H., Kosaka, N., Shimizu, T., Sekine, K., Ochiya, T. and Takase, M. (2014). “Time-dependent expression profiles of microRNAs and mRNAs in rat milk whey.” PloS One, 9(2), e88843.
Lacetera, N., Bernabucci, U., Ronchi, B. and Nardone, A. (1996). “Effects of selenium and vitamin E administration during a late stage of pregnancy on colostrum and milk production in dairy cows, and on passive immunity and growth of their offspring.” American Journal of Veterinary Research, 57(12), 1776-1780.
Langel, S. N., Wark, W. A., Garst, S. N., James, R. E., McGilliard, M. L., Petersson-Wolfe, C. S. and Kanevsky-Mullarky, I. (2016). “Effect of feeding whole compared with cell-free colostrum on calf immune status: Vaccination response.” Journal of Dairy Science, 99(5), 3979-3994.
Larson, B. L., Heary Jr, H. L. and Devery, J. E. (1980). “Immunoglobulin production and transport by the mammary gland.” Journal of Dairy Science, 63(4), 665-671.
Mann, S., Yepes, F. L., Overton, T. R., Lock, A. L., Lamb, S. V., Wakshlag, J. J. and Nydam, D. V. (2016). “Effect of dry period dietary energy level in dairy cattle on volume, concentrations of immunoglobulin G, insulin, and fatty acid composition of colostrum.” Journal of Dairy Science, 99(2), 1515-1526.
Morin, D. E., Constable, P. D., Maunsell, F. P. and McCoy, G. C. (2001). “Factors associated with colostral specific gravity in dairy cows.” Journal of Dairy Science, 84(4), 937-943.
Morin, D. E., Nelson, S. V., Reid, E. D., Nagy, D. W., Dahl, G. E. and Constable, P. D. (2010). “Effect of colostral volume, interval between calving and first milking, and photoperiod on colostral IgG concentrations in dairy cows.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 237(4), 420-428.
Muller, L. D. and Ellinger, D. K. (1981). Colostral immunoglobulin concentrations among breeds of dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 64(8), 1727-1730.
Nardone, A., Lacetera, N., Bernabucci, U. and Ronchi, B. (1997). “Composition of colostrum from dairy heifers exposed to high air temperatures during late pregnancy and the early postpartum period.” Journal of Dairy Science, 80(5), 838-844.
National Research Council. (2001). Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle: 2001. National Academies Press.
Newby, T. J., Stokes, C. R. and Bourne, F. J. (1982). “Immunological activities of milk.” Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 3(1-2), 67-94.
Nowak, W., Mikuła, R., Zachwieja, A., Paczyńska, K., Pecka, E., Drzazga, K. and Ślósarz, P. (2012). “The impact of cow nutrition in the dry period on colostrum quality and immune status of calves.” Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences.
Przybylska, J., Albera, E. and Kankofer, M. (2007). “Antioxidants in bovine colostrum.” Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 42(4), 402-409.
Reber, A. J., Donovan, D. C., Gabbard, J., Galland, K., Aceves-Avila, M., Holbert, K. A. and Hurley, D. J. (2008). “Transfer of maternal colostral leukocytes promotes development of the neonatal immune system: Part II. Effects on neonatal lymphocytes.” Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 123(3-4), 305-313.
Reber, A. J., Hippen, A. R. and Hurley, D. J. (2005). “Effects of the ingestion of whole colostrum or cell-free colostrum on the capacity of leukocytes in newborn calves to stimulate or respond in one-way mixed leukocyte cultures.” American Journal of Veterinary Research, 66(11), 1854-1860.
Shivley, C. B., Lombard, J., Urie, N. J., Haines, D. M., Sargent, R., Kopral, C. A. and Garry, F. B. (2018). “Preweaned heifer management on US dairy operations: Part II. Factors associated with colostrum quality and passive transfer status of dairy heifer calves.” Journal of Dairy Science, 101(10), 9185-9198.
Thatcher, E. F. and Gershwin, L. J. (1989). “Colostral transfer of bovine immunoglobulin E and dynamics of serum IgE in calves.” Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 20(4), 325-334.
Urie, N. J., Lombard, J. E., Shivley, C. B., Kopral, C. A., Adams, A. E., Earleywine, T. J. and Garry, F. B. (2018). “Preweaned heifer management on US dairy operations: Part I. Descriptive characteristics of preweaned heifer raising practices.” Journal of Dairy Science, 101(10), 9168-9184.
Weaver, D. M., Tyler, J. W., VanMetre, D. C., Hostetler, D. E. and Barrington, G. M. (2000). “Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 14(6), 569-577.
Wilm, J., Costa, J. H., Neave, H. W., Weary, D. M. and von Keyserlingk, M. A. (2018). “Serum total protein and immunoglobulin G concentrations in neonatal dairy calves over the first 10 days of age.” Journal of Dairy Science, 101(7), 6430-6436.
Windeyer, M. C., Leslie, K. E., Godden, S. M., Hodgins, D. C., Lissemore, K. D. and LeBlanc, S. J. (2014). “Factors associated with morbidity, mortality, and growth of dairy heifer calves up to 3 months of age.” Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 113(2), 231-240.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics