Short communication: Serum immunoglobulin G and total protein concentrations in dairy calves fed a colostrum-replacement product

Neonatal calf health is largely dependent on the ingestion and absorption of maternally derived antibodies via colostrum administration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercially available plasma-derived colostrum-replacement (CR) product as compared with bovine colostrum. Holstein calves were removed from the dam immediately after birth and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. Group 1 calves (n = 22) were fed 1 package of the CR product; group 2 calves (n = 22) were fed 2 packages of the CR product; and group 3 calves (n = 22) were fed 3 L of bovine colostrum. Blood samples were collected from all calves 24 h after colostrum or CR feeding and analyzed for serum IgG and total protein concentrations. Calves fed bovine colostrum had significantly higher serum IgG and total protein concentration than calves in either group fed the CR product. Group 1 calves (1 package of CR product) had a significantly higher incidence of failure of transfer of passive immunity than calves in groups 2 or 3. The results of this study indicated that 2 packages of this CR product achieved adequate IgG concentrations in calves. However, calves fed 1 package of this CR product consistently had failure of transfer of passive immunity.