References
Transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves
Abstract
Colostrum intake is vital for the transfer of immunoglobulins from dam to calf, enabling a functional immune response when required during early life. Colostrum management is therefore a key part of preventing disease and mortality in young dairy calves. Additional benefits of adequate colostrum provision include improved growth and future milk yield. Research indicates the need for more stringent targets with respect to both colostrum provision for calves and when monitoring calves for transfer of passive immunity (TPI). The extent of TPI in calves is reflected in the concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum, and is under the influence of a multitude of factors, many of which may be managed by farmers and veterinary surgeons in order to improve TPI on farms.
The benefits of optimal colostrum provision for calves are well documented. Importantly, colostrum feeding results in transfer of passive immunity (TPI), by providing the initially agammaglobulinaemic neonatal calf with a source of immunoglobulins (of which greater than three quarters in colostrum is immunoglobulin G (IgG); McGrath et al, 2016). This enables an effective immune response when required. In addition to this predominant function, colostrum ingestion by the calf is known or suspected to have a range of other benefits, including provision of vital nutrients (energy and protein) at the start of life, improved gut development, local gut immunity, establishment of the gut microbiome and improved glucose metabolism (Hammon et al, 2020). Consequently, calves ingesting adequate colostrum experience reduced incidence of morbidity and mortality (primarily respiratory and enteric diseases; Donovan et al, 1998; Raboisson et al, 2016; Glover et al, 2019), and can have improved growth rates (Windeyer et al, 2014) and future milk yields (DeNise et al, 1989). While many of the benefits of colostrum intake are also under the influence of a multitude of other factors, acquisition of a functional immune system providing protection against disease during early life is highly dependent on colostrum provision during the first hours of life; with regards to immunity of young calves, there is no substitute for adequate colostrum. This article will describe the factors that are important in ensuring optimal ingestion and intestinal absorption of immunoglobulin G by the neonatal dairy calf, as well as methods used to assess TPI, with the aim of providing a framework for reducing the incidence of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI).
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