Colostral Immunoglobulin Transfer in Calves I. Period of Absorption

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Abstract
Termination or closure of intestinal permeability to colostral immunoglobulins in the calf occurs spontaneously with age at a progressively increased rate after 12 h postpartum. Following a normal distribution, mean closure occurred near 24 h postpartum when the calves were not fed. Feeding colostrum shortly after birth resulted in earlier cessation of absorption; the amount of colostrum fed had no influence on closure. A quadratic response surface analysis of starting time on closure showed a significant linear response in all immunoglobulin classes; this indicated that as colostrum feeding is delayed cessation is delayed up to the time of spontaneous closure. Differences in closure time for the 3 immunoglobulin classes were not significant.