Short communication: Evaluation of serum immunoglobulin G concentrations using an automated turbidimetric immunoassay in dairy calves

The absorption of maternal antibodies associated with colostrum feeding is critical to the health of calves. Multiple assays have been described to assess serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in calves. However, none are ideal for routine use on farms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a new commercially available immunoassay and portable analyzer for measuring serum IgG concentrations in dairy calves. Serum from 100 Holstein calves that had received colostrum was collected for this study. Immunoglobulin G concentrations were run on each calf using both the rapid immunoassay method and radial immunodiffusion assay. Serum IgG concentrations in calves from this study ranged from 460 to 3,640 mg/dL (mean ± SD: 1,515 ± 71) as measured by radial immunodiffusion and 402 to 3,586 mg/dL (mean 1,473 ± 70) as measured by the immunoassay. Based on regression analysis, the automated results closely paralleled those obtained by radial immunodiffusion with a coefficient of determination value of 0.98. Based on the results of this study, the immunoassay technique using the portable analyzer represents a reliable method that can be run within 15 min and provide an accurate serum IgG level. Although the cost is not insignificant, this assay could be easily implemented on a dairy farm to help monitor transfer of passive immunity.