Evaluation of Quality, Quantity, and Timing of Colostrum Feeding on Immunoglobulin G1 Absorption in Jersey Calves*

Twenty-four Jersey calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (6 calves per group). Pooled colostrum from first milkings (colostrum high in IgG1, 84 mg/mL) of multiparous cows was fed to treatment groups 1 and 2. Pooled colostrums from second and third milkings (colostrum low in IgG1, 31.2 mg/mL) of multiparous Jersey cows were fed to calves in treatment groups 3 and 4. The quality and timing of colostrum feeding was as follows: group 1 were fed (high IgG1 colostrum) 4 L at 0 h (birth); group 2 calves were fed (high IgG1 colostrum) 2 L at 0 h (birth) and 2 L at 12 h; group 3 calves were fed (low IgG1 colostrum) 4 L at 0 h (birth); and group 4 calves were fed (low IgG1 colostrum) 2 L at 0 h (birth) and 2 L at 12 h. Mean serum IgG1 was 38.66, 45.66, 13.81 and 9.95 mg/mL in groups 1 to 4, respectively. At 48 h of age, calves fed colostrum with higher concentrations of total ingested IgG1 (groups 1 and 2) had significantly higher serum protein and IgG1 concentrations than calves fed low IgG1 colostrum at 48 h of age (groups 3 and 4). Mean apparent efficiency of IgG1 absorption was measured at 48 h; calves (group 2) receiving 2 L at birth and 2 L at 12 h of high IgG1 colostrum had higher mean apparent efficiency of IgG1 absorption than calves (group 4) fed 2 L of colostrum that was low in IgG1 at birth and 12 h (31.2 and 18.2% in groups 2 and 4, respectively). Results suggest that Jersey calves should receive 2 separate feedings of high quality colostrum to maximize the colostral IgG1 absorption.