A survey on the effects of passive immunity transfer in newborn calves fed with heated colostrum

In cattle, small quantity of immunoglobulins is transferred to fetus through the placenta, so their transfer from colostrum is very important. Failure of passive immunity transfer is one of the main factors causing the susceptibility of newborn calves to various diseases, especially diarrhoea. However, due to the presence of some pathogens, especially bacteria in colostrum, some researchers recommend the use of heated colostrum. The reduction of pathogenic bacteria in heated colostrum may increase immunoglobulins absorption. However, some evidence indicate that immunoglobulin absorption was reduced after heating colostrum. The aim of this study was to compare serumic levels of albumin, total protein, and total globulin in the blood of newborn calves, before and after feeding of heated colostrum at 63˚C for 30 minutes. For this purpose, 28 newborn calves were divided into two groups of control and treatment. Two liters of heated colostrum was fed to the treatment group twice a day and the same amount of normal colostrum was given to the control group. Blood samples were taken of all calves immediately after birth and 48 hours after that. The results showed a higher concentration of total protein and globulin in the control group in comparison to the treatment group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in albumin concentration.  Lower concentration of total protein and globulin is probably due to   denaturation of globulins.