TOTAL SERUM-PROTEIN, SERUM-PROTEIN FRACTIONS AND SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN COLOSTRUM-FED AND COLOSTRUM-DEPRIVED CALVES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (2) , 263-268
Abstract
Total serum protein levels, serum protein fraction levels, and specific serum immunoglobulin class or subclass levels were measured in colostrum-fed (CF) and colostrum-deprived (CD) calves during the first 144 h after birth. Total serum protein values increased at 24 h in the CF group and then decreased slightly at 144 h. The increase in total serum protein at 24 h reflected significant increases (P < 0.05) in .beta.1-, .beta.2- and .gamma.-globulins. The .beta.2- and .gamma.-globulin levels decreased by 144 h, while the serum level of .beta.1-globulin continued to increase. The CD calves exhibited a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in total serum protein at 24 h followed by a significant increase (P < 0.05) at 144 h. At 24 h the level of .beta.1-globulin decreased slightly, and the level of .beta.2- and .gamma.-globulins increased slightly. At 144 hours, the level of .beta.1-globulin increased and the level of .gamma.-globulin decreased. The .beta.2-globulin level did not change. At birth, immunoglobulin (Ig)M was detected in 5 of the 10 calves, IgG1 in 6 of the 10 calves, and IgG2 in 3 of the 10 calves. By 24 h after birth, all CF calves had detectable levels of IgM, IgG1 and IgG2, and there were significant increases (P < 0.01) in the mean serum levels of all 3 Ig. By 144 h after birth, the serum levels of IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 decreased to various degrees. At 24 h the IgM level had not increased in CD calves; the level of IgG2 appeared to increase slightly, and the mean IgG1 level increased by approximately 50%. By 144 h after birth, there was a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the mean level of serum IgM. The level of IgG1 also appeared to increase substantially, while the level of IgG2 appeared to increase slightly.

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