Influence of Administered Indigenous Microorganisms on Uptake of [Iodine-125] γ-Globulin In Vivo by Intestinal Segments of Neonatal Calves

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Abstract
Ten calves < 14 h of age (average 8.6 h) were anesthetized and the intestine was ligated into segments. Seven treatments were assigned in random order to the segments in 3 successive sections of the small intestine. Segments received 1 ml of viable bacteria of intestinal origin, autoclaved bacteria of intestinal origin or sterile microbiological broth at 0 time; 4 h later they were injected with 125I-labeled .gamma.-globulin. After an additional 1.5 h the experiment was ended and uptake assayed. Two treatments measured anaerobic microbial growth after 4 h incubation with 1 ml of sterile broth or live bacteria culture. Residual [125I].gamma.-globulin was measured in segments receiving 1 ml of sterile broth or live bacteria culture with 5.5 h incubation followed by 15 s exposure to labeled .gamma.-globulin. Uptake was lowest in segments receiving live bacteria as compared to segments receiving sterile inocula. Number of bacteria per gram of tissue was correlated negatively with uptake. Low serum corticosteroids were associated with low uptake of .gamma.-globulin. [These results have relevance to the influence of the intestinal flora on acquisition of passive immunity by calves fed colostrum.].