Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia
The objective of this observational study was to estimate the incidence of inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) on five pasture-based dairy farms in South Australia. Heifer calf uptake of colostrum was evaluated within the first 1–7 days of age (<i>n</i> = 2638) using a digital...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-10-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/2912 |
| _version_ | 1797469400397250560 |
|---|---|
| author | Rebel Skirving Cynthia D. K. Bottema Richard Laven Do T. Hue Kiro R. Petrovski |
| author_facet | Rebel Skirving Cynthia D. K. Bottema Richard Laven Do T. Hue Kiro R. Petrovski |
| author_sort | Rebel Skirving |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective of this observational study was to estimate the incidence of inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) on five pasture-based dairy farms in South Australia. Heifer calf uptake of colostrum was evaluated within the first 1–7 days of age (<i>n</i> = 2638) using a digital refractometer to estimate each calf’s serum total protein concentration, as an indicator of colostrum uptake. Results of <51 g/L indicated inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI). The data showed that the incidence of ITPI on the farms was 6.5%, 31.3%, 48.8%, 49.7% and 52.4%. The incidence of ITPI was calculated in relation to the age of the calf at testing and the breed of calf, and no significant differences were found. A significant difference was found in the incidence of ITPI when comparing the calf’s first feed after separation from the dam (colostrum versus a colostrum-transition milk mixture). The farm with the lowest incidence of ITPI collected calves twice a day, measured colostrum quality on farm with a Brix refractometer and ensured that each calf received an appropriate amount of high-quality colostrum soon after collection. Further studies are required to establish the risk factors of ITPI in South Australian dairy heifers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:20:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ba06addd2ce4cd588f76ae947d42fbf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:20:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ba06addd2ce4cd588f76ae947d42fbf2023-11-24T03:23:40ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-10-011221291210.3390/ani12212912Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South AustraliaRebel Skirving0Cynthia D. K. Bottema1Richard Laven2Do T. Hue3Kiro R. Petrovski4Davies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, AustraliaDavies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, AustraliaCollege of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandDavies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, AustraliaDavies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, AustraliaThe objective of this observational study was to estimate the incidence of inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) on five pasture-based dairy farms in South Australia. Heifer calf uptake of colostrum was evaluated within the first 1–7 days of age (<i>n</i> = 2638) using a digital refractometer to estimate each calf’s serum total protein concentration, as an indicator of colostrum uptake. Results of <51 g/L indicated inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI). The data showed that the incidence of ITPI on the farms was 6.5%, 31.3%, 48.8%, 49.7% and 52.4%. The incidence of ITPI was calculated in relation to the age of the calf at testing and the breed of calf, and no significant differences were found. A significant difference was found in the incidence of ITPI when comparing the calf’s first feed after separation from the dam (colostrum versus a colostrum-transition milk mixture). The farm with the lowest incidence of ITPI collected calves twice a day, measured colostrum quality on farm with a Brix refractometer and ensured that each calf received an appropriate amount of high-quality colostrum soon after collection. Further studies are required to establish the risk factors of ITPI in South Australian dairy heifers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/2912colostrumfailure of passive transferdairy cattleAustraliarefractometer |
| spellingShingle | Rebel Skirving Cynthia D. K. Bottema Richard Laven Do T. Hue Kiro R. Petrovski Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia Animals colostrum failure of passive transfer dairy cattle Australia refractometer |
| title | Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia |
| title_full | Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia |
| title_fullStr | Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia |
| title_short | Incidence of Inadequate Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Heifer Calves in South Australia |
| title_sort | incidence of inadequate transfer of passive immunity in dairy heifer calves in south australia |
| topic | colostrum failure of passive transfer dairy cattle Australia refractometer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/2912 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rebelskirving incidenceofinadequatetransferofpassiveimmunityindairyheifercalvesinsouthaustralia AT cynthiadkbottema incidenceofinadequatetransferofpassiveimmunityindairyheifercalvesinsouthaustralia AT richardlaven incidenceofinadequatetransferofpassiveimmunityindairyheifercalvesinsouthaustralia AT dothue incidenceofinadequatetransferofpassiveimmunityindairyheifercalvesinsouthaustralia AT kirorpetrovski incidenceofinadequatetransferofpassiveimmunityindairyheifercalvesinsouthaustralia |