Changes

Inadequate absorption of [[Immunoglobulins|immunoglobulin]] occurs because:  

Inadequate absorption of [[Immunoglobulins|immunoglobulin]] occurs because:  

# The neonate did not receive any colostrum.

# The neonate did '''not receive any''' colostrum.

# The neonate did not receive enough colostrum.

# The neonate did '''not receive enough''' colostrum.

# The neonate did not absorb enough colostrum.

# The neonate did '''not absorb enough''' colostrum.

# The quality of the colostrum was inadequate.

# The quality of the '''colostrum was inadequate'''.

==Colostrum quality (amount of IgG) depends on:==

==Colostrum quality (amount of IgG) depends on:==

* '''Breed''' - [[Immunoglobulins|antibody]] and milk fat are correlated, thus Jersey cows have the highest amount of immunoglobulin. Conversely Holsteins have the lowest amount of immunoglobulin.

* '''Breed''' - [[Immunoglobulins|antibody]] and milk fat are correlated, thus Jersey cows have the highest amount of immunoglobulin. Conversely, Holsteins have the lowest amount of immunoglobulin.

* '''Nutrition''' - it is especially important for cows during the dry period (last 2 months of pregnancy) to have the correct nutrition in order to produce [[Immunoglobulins|immunoglobulin]]. There is also some evidence that trace element deficiencies during the dry period may affect colostrum quality.

* '''Nutrition''' - it is especially important for cows during the dry period (last 2 months of pregnancy) to have the correct nutrition in order to produce [[Immunoglobulins|immunoglobulin]]. There is also some evidence that trace element deficiencies during the dry period may affect colostrum quality.

* '''Season''' - the lowest quality of colostrum is produced in the late winter months as this is correlated to the quality of forage available. High ambient temperatures may also have an adverse effect which is likely to be related to depressed dry matter intakes. In countries where this is a problem, heat abatement systems may help.  

* '''Season''' - the lowest quality of colostrum is produced in the late winter months as this is correlated to the quality of forage available. High ambient temperatures may also have an adverse effect which is likely to be related to depressed dry matter intakes. In countries where this is a problem, heat abatement systems may help.  

* '''Dripping from teats''' - poor teat confirmation may result in a poor teat seal and thus dripping before the calf has been born or sucked.

* '''Dripping from teats''' - poor teat confirmation may result in a poor teat seal and thus dripping before the calf has been born or sucked.

* '''Parity''' - older cows have better quality colostrum as they have been exposed to more pathogens and may have had multiple vaccinations causing their colostrum to have a higher amount of immunoglobulin.

* '''Parity''' - older cows have better quality colostrum as they have been exposed to more pathogens and may have had multiple vaccinations causing their colostrum to have a higher amount of immunoglobulin.

* '''Mastitis''' - A cow with clinical mastitis, or indeed any other illness, should not be used as source of colostrum.

* '''[[Mastitis]]''' - A cow with clinical mastitis, or indeed any other illness, should not be used as source of colostrum.

* '''Pooling''' - Cow’s colostrum may be pooled to ease the calf management period. However, the larger volumes of lower quality colostrum tend to be relatively over-represented meaning this can be to the detriment of colostrum quality. Therefore this practice is to be discouraged. It is also a risk for the spread of Johnes disease.

* '''Pooling''' - Cow’s colostrum may be pooled to ease the calf management period. However, the larger volumes of lower quality colostrum tend to be relatively over-represented meaning this can be to the detriment of colostrum quality. Therefore this practice is to be discouraged. It is also a risk for the spread of [[Johne's Disease|Johnes disease]].

* '''Time of collection''' - The highest quality colostrum will be collected from the dam when milked within 1-2 hours of calving.

* '''Time of collection''' - The highest quality colostrum will be collected from the dam when milked within 1-2 hours of calving.

==Colostrum quantity depends on:==

==Colostrum quantity depends on:==

* '''Amount the neonate suckles''' - a strong neonate and good mothering from the dam increases the amount the neonate suckles. Udder conformation also influences the accessibility of the teats to the neonate. Dystocia may reduce mothering and produce a weak calf potentially causes an increased time to the first suck and/or reducing the amount the neonate consumes.

* '''Amount the neonate suckles''' - a strong neonate and good mothering from the dam increases the amount the neonate suckles. Udder conformation also influences the accessibility of the teats to the neonate. Dystocia may reduce mothering and produce a weak calf that potentially causes an increased time to the first suck and/or reducing the amount the neonate consumes.

* '''Premature births''' - if born early the dam has a shorter period of time for concentration of antibodies from the blood to the colostrum. It is more likely that the neonate will also be weaker and smaller, causing the amount of colostrum sucked to be reduced.  

* '''Premature births''' - if born early the dam has a shorter period of time for concentration of antibodies from the blood to the colostrum. It is more likely that the neonate will also be weaker and smaller, causing the amount of colostrum sucked to be reduced.  

==Failure of absorption from the intestines:==

==Failure of absorption from the intestines:==

The amount of colostrum recommended is a minimum of 3 liters within 6 hours of birth. This equates to 8-10% of the neonates body weight. If the colostrum is of sufficient quality, this should provide approximately 100-200g of IgG in the first feed. Timing is important and is considered optimal within the first four hours before progressively declining towards what is referred to as “gut closure”. The timing of the first feed can influence when this occurs and a delay can prolong the time before gut closure to approximately 36 hours. Therefore the first feed is the most important in the uptake of colostrum derived passive immunity.

The amount of colostrum recommended is a minimum of 3 liters within 6 hours of birth. This equates to 8-10% of the neonates body weight. If the colostrum is of sufficient quality, this should provide approximately 100-200g of IgG in the first feed. Timing is important and is considered '''optimal within the first four hours''' before progressively declining towards what is referred to as “gut closure”. The timing of the first feed can influence when this occurs and a delay can prolong the time before gut closure to approximately 36 hours. Therefore the first feed is the most important in the uptake of colostrum derived passive immunity.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Failure of passive transfer can be a problem in the individual calf but more importantly can be a herd level problem which requires investigation. Diagnosing the problem can be done in a variety of ways each with their advantages and disadvantages. In all cases, calves should be sampled no earlier than 24 hours of age and up to a maximum of 7 days when the calf’s own endogenously produced antibodies can distort the results.

Failure of passive transfer can be a problem in the individual calf but more importantly can be a herd level problem which requires investigation. Diagnosing the problem can be done in a variety of ways each with their advantages and disadvantages. In all cases, calves should be sampled no earlier than 24 hours of age and up to a maximum of 7 days when the calf’s own endogenously produced antibodies can distort the results.

For more detail see [[Colostrum Quality Testing]]

 

This is the gold standard test for measuring IgG levels in the calf blood. However, it is expensive and not readily available. It would be a more appropriate test in the individually affected calf.

 

 

 

 

 

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

From the risk factors for FPT stated above, at risk calves can be identified and action taken to ensure adequate colostrum intake.

From the risk factors for FPT stated above, at risk calves can be identified and action taken to ensure adequate colostrum intake.

====3. Colostrum Storage====

====3. Colostrum storage====

 

It is often useful for the farmer to store colostrum in the freezer for use when needed. Anecdotally, storage has been reported as satisfactory for up to 12 months. However, repeat freeze thawing should be minimized as this can have adverse effects on colostrum quality. Microwaving the colostrum as part of the thaw is not recommended due to protein denaturing. Thawing should therefore be done slowly by putting the bottles into warm water.

It is often useful for the farmer to store colostrum in the freezer for use when needed. Anecdotally, storage has been reported as satisfactory for up to 12 months. However, repeat freeze thawing should be minimized as this can have adverse effects on colostrum quality. Microwaving the colostrum as part of the thaw is not recommended due to protein denaturing. Thawing should therefore be done slowly by putting the bottles into warm water.

On harvesting [[media:Fresh_colostrum_in_bucket.JPG|fresh colostrum]], the colostrum should not be maintained at room temperature for prolonged periods due to bacterial growth occurring which may harbour infectious agents. Bacterial contamination can be minimized by good udder preparation prior to milking and using clean equipment. Freezing should be performed as soon as possible after collection. If the colostrum is not going to be frozen but kept for later use, it should be refrigerated and used within a few days.

On harvesting, the colostrum should not be maintained at room temperature for prolonged periods due to bacterial growth occurring which may harbour infectious agents. Bacterial contamination can be minimized by good udder preparation prior to milking and using clean equipment. Freezing should be performed as soon as possible after collection. If the colostrum is not going to be frozen but kept for later use, it should be refrigerated and used within a few days.

 

   

   

It is important to select the dam carefully when deciding which colostrum to store. The cow should be healthy and in good condition. It is advisable to check the colostrum with a colostrometer before storage to try and ensure adequate quality. On herds with a history of Johnes disease, it may be worth testing the cow for infection, although due to the poor sensitivity of the test in clinically normal animals this is not a guarantee of uninfected colostrum.

It is important to select the dam carefully when deciding which colostrum to store. The cow should be healthy and in good condition. It is advisable to check the colostrum with a [[Colostrum Quality Testing#Colostrometer|colostrometer]] before storage to try to ensure adequate quality. In herds with a history of Johnes disease, it may be worth testing the cow for infection, although due to the poor sensitivity of the test in clinically normal animals this is not a guarantee of uninfected colostrum.

====4. Colostrum quality====

====4. Colostrum quality====

This can be done using a colostrometer. For more detail see [[Colostrum Quality Testing]].

This can be done using a colostrometer.  

====5. Colostrum supplements====

====5. Colostrum supplements====

A colostrum supplement is added to normal colostrum to try and increase the IgG content. It is important that products of this type are not used as the sole source of colostrum which would confer inadequate immunity to the neonate.

A colostrum supplement is added to normal colostrum to try to increase the IgG content. It is important that products of this type are not used as the sole source of colostrum which would confer inadequate immunity to the neonate.

====6. Colostrum replacers====

====6. Colostrum replacers====

P. Lydyard, A. Whelan and M.W. Fanger '''Immunology''' Garland Science 2nd Edition 2004

P. Lydyard, A. Whelan and M.W. Fanger '''Immunology''' Garland Science 2nd Edition 2004

[[Category:Materno-Fetal Immunity|C]]

[[Category:Materno-Fetal Immunity|C]]

[[Category:Immunological Disorders]]

[[Category:Immunological Disorders]]

[[Category:Immunological Diseases - Horse]][[Category:Immunological Diseases - Cattle]]

[[Category:Immunological Diseases - Horse]][[Category:Immunological Diseases - Cattle]]

[[Category:Blood Samples and Coagulation Tests]]

[[Category:Blood Samples and Coagulation Tests]]

[[Category:To Do - Review]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Farm Animal]]