Elimination of intravenously injected fowl erythrocytes from the blood circulation of newborn unfed and suckled calves
Steinbach, G.; Meyer, H.; Lesche, R.
Archiv für Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin 26(2): 355-359
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9055 PMID: 5081529 Document Number: 54860
Intravenously injected fowl erythrocytes were gradually eliminated from the blood of newborn unfed calves, but very rapidly after feeding of colostrum. This effect is attributed to an immunological side effect of specific antibodies rather than to the effect of non-specific serum factors. Results support the theory that side-effects of specific antibodies play an important role in defence against infection, and show that the dam need not have been in previous contact with the causal agent for her colostrum to have a protective effect against that agent.