Effect of dietary IgG source (colostrum, serum, or milk-derived supplement) on the efficiency of Ig absorption in newborn Holstein calves

This study was designed to compare the absorptive efficiency of IgG from a commercial bovine serum product (bovine serum), cow colostrum (positive control), and two commercial milk-derived IgG supplements (supplement 1 and supplement 2). Newborn Holstein calves, collected at birth and prior to the consumption of colostrum, were allotted to treatment by alternating birth order. Colostrum supplement treatments were fed according to manufacturer's recommendations at birth and again at 12 h. This strategy resulted in varying masses of total IgG being offered to the calves (200, 90, 50, and 60 g of IgG for colostrum, bovine serum, supplement 1, and supplement 2, respectively). Blood samples were collected at 0, 12, and 24 h after the end of treatment administration. Plasma volume was estimated as 9.10% of birth weight. Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption at 24 h was determined. Plasma IgG concentrations at 24 h differed for each treatment (12.1, 6.8, 2.2, and 3.5 g of IgG/L for colostrum, bovine serum, supplement 1, and supplement 2, respectively). Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption was greatest for bovine serum compared with colostrum and supplement 1. No treatment differences were detected on the occurrence of mortality. However, calves fed bovine serum tended to have fewer treatments for illness compared with calves fed colostrum and supplement 1. Calves receiving bovine serum-derived IgG had improved IgG absorption efficiency and a tendency toward fewer medical treatments compared with calves consuming colostrum or a dried colostrum product.