Passive Immunity and Colostrum

Question 1

Functions of Colostrum

Answer 1

Provision of energy and fluid- energy dense, high fats, protein and carbohydrates

Transfer of passive immunity
Immunoglobulins- antibodies
Cell mediated immunity (maternal lymphocytes)

Development of the early gastrointestinal microbiota

Question 2

Main antibody in colostrum

Answer 2

IgG=85-90%
IgA= 5%
IgM=7%

Question 3

Impact of maternal leukocytes in colostrum

Answer 3

Calf can activate cell-mediated immune responses at 1 week rather than 3 (when calves fed leukocyte-free colostrum)
Colostral leukocytes fed alone are not sufficient to protect calves from fatal disease in the neonatal period

Question 4

Development of faecal microbiotain neonate

Answer 4

Day 1-3
Gradual acquisition of Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae (Colostrum/ milk derived)

Day 3+
Prevotella, Blautia, Ruminococcus
Core gut microbiota of adult horses

There are dramatic changes in the microbiota in the foal through life
Initially, there are lots of bacteria associated with being in milk and adult bacteria such as those used to digest cellulose/grass

Question 5

What are OTUs

Answer 5

Operational Taxanomic Units - shared between meconium, mares’ gut microbiota and amniotic fluid
6 OTUs shared between all 3
75 between meconium and the mares’ gut
32 between meconium and amniotic fluid

Significance-> foal microbiota impacted by mare

Question 6

The outcome of failure of passive transfer of immunity

Answer 6

Colostrum management is the single most important management factor in determining calf health and survival.

Positive blood cultures are associated with poor survival in hospitalised foals

Question 7

The ideal volume of colostrum

Answer 7

3-4L in 1st 6 hours

Question 8

Ideal colostrum brix value

Answer 8

> 22% =50g/L IgG

Question 9

Ideal colostrum IgG

Answer 9

> 50mg/ml

Question 10

Target IgG in neonate blood

Answer 10

> 10g/L at 4hrs of age

Question 11

How does age of dam affect colostrum quality

Answer 11

heifers generally have poorer colostrum, after 2nd calf and onwards age doesn’t cause an increase in quality

Question 12

How does duration of dry period affect colostrum quality

Answer 12

longer= more time to produce colostrum

Question 13

How does dam vaccination affect colostrum

Answer 13

affects which antibodies are in colostrum, some vaccines you give to the cow just to transfer immunity to calves

Question 14

Impact of pasteurisation on colostrum quality

Answer 14

If done at correct temp will increase cleanliness
If done too high it will denature proteins