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We studied the effect on average daily gain (ADG) and health of an additional colostrum feeding to Holstein dairy heifers 12–16 h after the first colostrum feeding, provided within 2 h of birth. Calves (n = 190) with an average birth weight of 38.8 kg (29.5–52.6 kg) were randomly enrolled in blocks to either the control (CON) or colostrum (COL). The CON received 3 L of acidified pasteurized whole milk, and the COL received 3 L of pasteurized colostrum [average: 25.5 (24.7–26.4)% Brix]. Calves were group-housed, weighed, withers height measured weekly. Serum was obtained and analyzed with a% Brix refractometer. Mixed linear models were used to assess the differences in ADG, body weight, and height between the treatment and control. There was no difference in ADG between the COL and CON. However, serum % Brix was higher in the COL group (9.7%) than in the CON group (9.2%). Calves in the COL had more antibiotic treatments for respiratory diseases but fewer antibiotic treatments for otitis than the CON. In conclusion, providing an extra feeding of colostrum did not contribute to ADG of Holstein heifers during the pre-weaning period but did provide them with a higher total serum protein concentration.

Colostrum contains macro- and micronutrients necessary to meet the nutritional and energy requirements of the neonatal calf, bioactive components that intervene in several physiological aspects, and cells and microorganisms that modulate the calf’s immune system and gut microbiome. Colostrum is sometimes mistaken as transition milk, which, although more nutritive than whole milk, has a distinct biochemical composition. Furthermore, most research about colostrum quality and colostrum management focuses on the transfer of maternal IgG to the newborn calf. The remaining components of colostrum and transition milk have not received the same attention, despite their importance to the newborn animal. In this narrative review, a large body of literature on the components of bovine colostrum was reviewed. The variability of these components was summarized, emphasizing specific components that warrant deeper exploration. In addition, the effects of each component present in colostrum and transition milk on several key physiological aspects of the newborn calf are discussed.

The objective of this study was to assess in the Charolais cow–calf system, the benefit of meloxicam administered to cows prior to c-section to the efficacy of passive immune transfer to the newborn under the assumption that providing analgesia to the dam could lead to an earlier or longer colostrum intake. This study was performed in Burgundy, France in two veterinary private practices. Colostrum quality, delay between the end of the c-section and the first spontaneous colostrum suckling, and the 24 h after birth calf serum IgG content from cows treated 15 min prior to c-section with meloxicam subcutaneously (0.5 mg/kg) (n = 22) or without analgesia (n = 26) were compared. No significant differences were observed in the quality of the colostrum nor the delay between the end of the surgery and the first spontaneous colostrum suckling between treatment groups. However, the number of calves showing a better transfer of passive immunity (IgG content >15 g/L) was significantly higher (p = 0.023) among those originating from dams receiving meloxicam prior to c-section. This effect was notably observed in multiparous cows (p = 0.041). This study confirms that pre-emptive analgesia in cows prior to c-section benefits the calf through an improved colostrum intake that is of paramount importance for calf short- and long-term survival.

The present study assessed the influence of environmental variables at birth (birth season, temperature, relative humidity, THI - temperature and humidity index) and newborn serum protein level of 450 Holstein heifers on growth (body weight, and mortality rate) and reproductive performance (weight and age at puberty, age at first conception, and conception rate at first artificial insemination). The immune passive transfer was positively related to the weights at 30 and 60, with a trend at 90 days, which consequently affected weight at puberty, age at puberty, and age at conception. Therefore, it reinforces the importance of protocols with newborns that allow the assessment of the passive transfer of immunity. Calves born during the warmer months exhibited 4.2 and 12.28 kg less weight at weaning and puberty, respectively, compared to calves born during winter. Thus, calves born in an environment with higher THI showed changes in development, health, and reproductive efficiency in the short, medium, and long term. These findings reinforce the importance of adopting better colostrum management and welfare conditions, especially in warm season, to allow successful immune passive transfer and increase system efficiency. RESUMO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência das variáveis ambientais ao nascimento (estação de nascimento, temperatura, umidade relativa, ITU - índice de temperatura e umidade) e nível de proteína sérica no recém-nascido de 450 novilhas Holandesas sobre o crescimento (peso corporal e taxa de mortalidade) e o desempenho reprodutivo (peso e idade na puberdade, idade na primeira concepção e taxa de concepção na primeira inseminação artificial). A transferência de imunidade passiva foi positivamente relacionada ao peso corporal aos 30, 60 e 90 dias, o que consequentemente afetou o peso na puberdade, idade na puberdade e idade na concepção. Isto reforça a importância de protocolos com recém-nascidos que permitem a avaliação da transferência passiva de imunidade. Os bezerros nascidos durante os meses mais quentes apresentaram 4,2 e 12,28 kg de peso a menos no desmame e na puberdade, respectivamente, em comparação aos bezerros nascidos durante o inverno. Assim, os bezerros nascidos em um ambiente com maior THI apresentaram alterações no desenvolvimento, saúde e eficiência reprodutiva a curto, médio e longo prazo. Esses achados reforçam a importância de adotar melhores condições de manejo e bem-estar do colostro, especialmente nas estações mais quentes, para permitir a transferência de imunidade passiva bem sucedida e aumentar a eficiência do sistema.

Timely administration of good-quality colostrum represents the first farm strategy to avoid the failure of passive transfer (FPT). However, calves born during the night are likely to be fed later than recommended. Our aim was to evaluate whether night-occurring calving and delayed first milking affected colostrum quality and immune passive transfer. The dataset included 463 calvings. Four liters of colostrum were administered by an esophageal tube feeder. The mean Brix% of colostrum was 27.43%, while serum Brix% at two days of life in calves was 10.19%. According to the Generalized Linear Model, parity ≥ 4, calving months of March, April, and from September to November positively influenced the quality of colostrum. Dams carrying a male calf produced lower quality colostrum compared with those carrying a female calf (−2.78 ± 1.04 Brix%, p = 0.008); heavier female calves were associated with greater colostrum quality (0.29 ± 0.05 for each kg increase, p < 0.001). Night- or day-calving had no effect on the quality of colostrum. The only factor influencing the serum Brix% of female Holstein calves at two days of life was the day- or night-occurring birth (−0.386 ± 0.188 Brix% in calves born during the night, p = 0.04). Our results showed that calves born overnight and fed the day after had decreased serum Total Protein concentrations as indicated by reduced Brix refractometer readings, compared with calves born during the day and fed quickly after birth. However, the administration of 4 L of high-quality colostrum likely improved their serum Brix% at two days of life. Alternatively, where the prevalence of good-quality colostrum is lower, improving calving supervision and ensuring timely feeding are important to reduce the risk of FPT.

Dairy production is expanding rapidly in Vietnam, but still, the smallholder farms are most common. The aim of this study was therefore to get improved knowledge about colostrum quality in dairy cows, immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption, daily weight gain in dairy calves and calf management in small-scale dairy production systems in Southern Vietnam. A field survey was conducted on 40 farms, with two calves on each farm being intensively studied. It was observed that newborn calves were separated from their dams immediately after birth and offered 2–4 L first colostrum within 4 h by bucket feeding. The first colostrum IgG level, fat and protein content were on average 35.6, 4.8 and 21.4%, respectively, and 91% of the cows produced colostrum of good quality (Brix value >22%). The IgG level in serum of calves, measured as Brix value, was on average 9.3%. Colostrum in the samples studied was of quite high quality and on-farm observations showed that colostrum was offered on the first day of calf life, so passive transfer of immunity to the calves was high. In total, 10% of the calves had a Brix value for IgG in serum lower than 8.3%, indicating that those calves had suffered from failure of passive immune transfer (FPT). The daily weight gain of female and male calves was 0.75 and 0.54 kg, respectively. Serum IgG was positively correlated with colostrum protein ( P  = 0.002). Daily weight gain and diarrhoea was negatively correlated ( P  = 0.001).

In this study, West Nile virus (WNV) envelope (rE) protein and its domain III (rDIII) were efficiently expressed in a cost-effective system based on insect larvae as non-fermentative living biofactories. Mice immunized with the partially purified rE or rDIII elicited high antibodies titers that neutralized viral infectivity in cell culture and in suckling mice. All vaccinated animals were fully protected when challenged with neurovirulent WNV NY99. Passive transfer of protective antibodies from immunized mothers to their offspring occurred both by transplacental and lactation routes. These results indicate that the insect-derived antigens tested may constitute potential vaccine candidates to be further evaluated.

Ten newborn kids were used to evaluate the relationship between apoptosis and passive immune transfer in neonatal enterocytes. Kids were slaughtered in groups of 2 at birth, 1, 2, 3, or 60 d postpartum, and samples of duodenal epithelium collected from each animal. Samples were fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections were assessed for apoptotic cells and immunostained for IgG. Our results suggest that IgG absorption is mediated by apoptotic enterocytes. Thus, delaying apoptosis may improve the success of passive immune transfer.

Majorera goat kids (n=200) were used to evaluate the effects of litter size, birth body weight, sex, and suckling duration on serum IgG concentrations. Kids were assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: litter size and sex were equally distributed in each group. In the first group, kids (n=67) stayed with their dams for 24h; in the second group, kids (n=66) stayed with their dams for 48h; and in the third group, kids (n=67) stayed with their dams for 120h. Blood samples were obtained every 24h for 5 d, and serum IgG concentration was measured using radial immunodiffusion. In litter sizes of 1 to 2 kids, IgG blood serum concentration was significantly higher (18.30±5.40mg/mL) than in litters of 3 kids (9.85±4.23mg/mL). Kid sex did not affect IgG blood serum concentrations. Suckling duration did not affect kid serum IgG concentrations. In conclusion, kids with low birth body weight (<2.8kg) or from litters of 3 may need special attention. If newborn goat kids are allowed to suckle colostrum for at least 24h from their dams, this seems to be sufficient time to ingest enough IgG from colostrum to achieve an adequate serum IgG concentration and passive immune protection to avoid failure of passive immune transfer.

Immune system recognize and fight back foreign microorganisms and inner modifications that lead to deficient cell and tissue functions. During a dog’s life, the immune system needs to adapt to different physiological conditions, assuring surveillance and protection in a careful and controlled way. Pregnancy alters normal homeostasis, requiring a balance between immunity and tolerance. The embryos and fetus should be protected from infections, while the female dog must tolerate the growing of semi-allografts in her uterus. After birth, newborn puppies are at great risk of developing infectious diseases, because their immune system is in development and immune memory is absent. Passive transfer of immunity through colostrum is fundamental for puppy survival in the first weeks of life, but hampers the development of an active immune response to vaccination. At the end of life, dogs experience a decline in the structure and functional competence of the immune system, compromising the immune responses to novel antigenic challenges, such as infections and vaccines. Therefore, the current article reviews the general processes related to the development of the dog´s immune system, providing an overview of immune activity throughout the dog’s life and its implications in canine health, and highlighting priority research goals.