Effect of maternal cells transferred with colostrum on the health of neonate calves

• Published in: Research in veterinary science 2017-06, Vol.112, p.97-104
• Main Authors: Novo, Sylvia Marquart Fontes, Costa, Juliana Fraça dos Reis, Baccili, Camila Costa, Sobreira, Natália Meirelles, Silva, Bruno Toledo, de Oliveira, Pamella Lorenci, Hurley, David John, Gomes, Viviani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Anemia; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antigens; Bronchopneumonia; Calves; Cattle; Cattle - immunology; Colostrum; Colostrum - cytology; Cytokines; Diarrhea; Erythrocytes; Female; Health; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Immune system; Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulins; Inflammation; Iron; Leukocytes; Lymphatic system; Lymphocytes; Monitoring; Passive immune transfer; Pregnancy; Respiratory diseases; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.025

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of cells from colostrum on the health of neonate calves. Animals were distributed in 2 groups: COL+ (n=9) which received fresh colostrum from their own damns; and COL− (n=10) which received frozen colostrums from donors. Heifers were assessed before colostrum intake – D0; D2; D7; D14; D21 and D28. Heifers were monitored by clinical examination, hematological profile and serum iron. COL− had a higher diarrhea intensity score (typically 3) on D7. Moreover, a single case each of bronchopneumonia and navel inflammation were observed in COL− calves. COL− had fewer red blood cells (RBC) (6.5±0.8×106/μL) and less hemoglobin (Hgb) (8.3±1.4g/dL) than COL+ (RBC=7.2±0.8×106/μL; Hgb=9.6±1.3g/dL) at D14 (P≤0.05). COL− had more anemia on D21 (P=0.03) and on D28 (P=0.02). Iron was lower in COL− (5.6±2.7μM/L) than COL+ (10.7±6.2μM/L) (P=0.03) on D7. Lymphocytes was lower in COL− than COL+ on D7 (3.8±1.0×103/μL COL+ and 5.4±2.2×103/μL COL−, P=0.02). COL− calves had more anemia and lower serum iron concomitant with diarrhea on D7. The number of leukocytes was relatively consistent in the COL+ calves, while COL− calves showed an increasing number of of lymphocytes starting on D7. •Calves fed with frozen colostrum (COL−) had high intensity of disease.•COL− had anemia and low serum iron.•COL− had higher number of lymphocytes (D7) due to natural exposure to pathogens.