Comparison of the Effectiveness of Colostrum, Colostrum Powder and Combined Feeding on Transfer of Passive Immunity in Calves.

BACKGROUND

High-quality colostrum is essential to prevent failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in calves, and research on colostrum substitutes has continued over time when quality colostrum is unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effects of fresh colostrum (COL), colostrum powder (POW) and a combination (MIX) on TPI in neonatal calves.

METHODS

Forty-five neonatal Holstein-Friesian calves were divided into COL (4 L fresh colostrum), POW (1080 g colostrum powder in 4 L water) and MIX (540 g powder in 4 L colostrum) groups. Total protein (TP), Brix%, and IgG concentrations were measured at 0 and 24 h. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression assessed their predictive power for FTPI.

RESULTS

At 24 h, the Brix%, TP and IgG values for the COL, POW and MIX groups were as follows (mean ± standard error; median [interquartile range]): Brix%: 9.4 ± 0.3 (9.4 [8.2-10]), 9.5 ± 0.2 (9.6 [8.8-9.8]) and 10.2 ± 0.2 (10.4 [9.6-10.8]); TP(g/dL): 5.9 ± 0.2 (5.8 [4.8-6.8]), 5.9 ± 0.2 (5.8 [5.5-6.2]) and 6.7 ± 0.2 (6.6 [6.2-7.4]); IgG(g/L): 16.09 ± 0.48 (16.31 [15.02-17.8]), 15.02 ± 0.58 (14.91 [13.05-17.68]) and 18.03 ± 0.29 (18.04 [16.91-19.25]), respectively. Compared to the POW and COL groups, the MIX group had higher IgG, TP and Brix% values at 24 h. Area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.72, 0.73 and 0.82 for Brix%, TP and IgG, respectively, with IgG showing the highest discriminatory power among the evaluated parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Colostrum powder was as effective as fresh colostrum in providing sufficient TPI. Combining colostrum powder with quality colostrum further enhances immunity levels.