Effect of additional colostrum ingestion on the serum concentrations of IgG, TP and IGF -I in newborn calves

Abstract

Benefits and demand of the colostrum intake by newborn calves are well known. Other bioactive molecules in colostrum, in addition to immunoglobulins and nutrients, are associated to maturation of gastrointestinal tract and neonate development. One of these components is IGF-I, a key regulator of growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of colostrum supplementation with different immunoglobulin concentrations on IgG, total protein and IGF-I serum levels in calves at 72 hours old. It was also evaluated the apparent efficiency of absorption (AEA) of IgG at 12 and 24 hours of life. Eighty two male-Holstein calves were distributed in two groups, according to serum IgG at 12 hours of life, one group was for IgG inferior to 12 mg/mL, and the other one was superior. At 12 hours of life, colostrum was provided with different IgG concentration (mg/mL): low (23.93), high (94.11) or enriched with lyophilized colostrum (158.37). The serum IgG fluctuation was not affected by the addition of lyophilized colostrum. The ingestion of high amount of total solids influenced the process of absorption of IgG. The AEA maxim (AEAmáx.), determined at 12 hours of life, which reflected the IgG maximum internalization activity by the enterocytes, was higher than the efficiency determined at 24 hours (AEAtotal). IGF-I serum concentration was not affected by the levels of IGF-I content in colostrum.