Quantitative studies on serum immunoglobulin levels in suckled calves from birth to five weeks
Logan, E.F.; McBeath, D.G.; Lowman, B.G.
Veterinary Record 94(16): 367-370
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 4215209 Document Number: 79816
Levels of the 3 classes of immunoglobulins (Ig) were determined in the sera of 30 suckling calves during the 1st 5 wk of life. 7 calves were hypogammaglobulinaemic, particularly in relation to IgM; 2 of these calves died. Some of the other calves began to synthesize Ig within 1 wk after birth, whilst calves with adequate serum Ig showed the usual decline of all 3 classes of Ig up to 4 wk and then a small increase in IgM. It is stressed that determination of total IgG by ZnSO4 or Na2SO3 turbidity tests would have given 'false positives' and would therefore have failed to detect the hypogammaglobulinaemic calves which were insufficiently protected against colibacillosis. In this context, the need for a high standard of stockmanship is stressed to ensure that every calf receives adequate amounts of colostrum as soon as possible after birth, when the uptake of Ig, particularly IgM, is most efficient.