EFFECT OF A COLOSTRUM SUBSTITUTE ON PASSIVE IMMUNITY TRANSFER IN HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN CALVES DURING THE COLOSTRAL STAGE
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of partial or total use of a colostrum substitute on passive immunity transfer in Holstein-Friesian calves during the colostral stage. A completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates per treatment was used for a total of 100 experimental units. The treatments were T0 (4 L of maternal colostrum), T1 (3 L of colostrum + 100 g of substitute in 2 L of water), T2 (2 L of colostrum + 100 g of substitute in 2 L of water), T3 (200 g of substitute in 4 L of water), and T4 (300 g of substitute in 6 L of water). Colostrum and substitute were administered by bottle during the first hour of life. The results showed that T4 had the highest concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum and/or substitute between the evaluations performed at 24 and 36 h (p < 0.05). Regarding total plasma protein concentration, treatments T2 and T4 showed significantly higher values (p < 0.05). Furthermore, treatment T2 registered the highest serum immunoglobulin concentration (p < 0.05). In terms of morbidity and mortality, T3 showed no cases of mortality (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the complete use of maternal colostrum substitute improves the transfer of passive immunity in Holstein-Friesian calves.
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