Effect of Orally Administered Duodenal Fluid on Serum Proteins in Neonatal Calves

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Abstract
This study was to determine if orally administered duodenal fluid as a source of intestinal microorganisms [bacteria] would influence absorption of .gamma.-globulin of colostrum in newborn calves. Duodenal fluid was obtained 2 h post-feeding from a cannulated milk-fed calf. Male and female Holstein calves (27) obtained within 6 h of birth were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments: colostrum alone (1); 200 ml duodenal fluid immediately followed by colostrum (2); and 200 ml duodenal fluid followed 3 h later by colostrum (3). Pooled colostrum was fed at 10% of body wt in 2 daily feedings. Total protein, albumin, .alpha.-globulin, .beta.-globulin and .gamma.-globulin of blood serum were determined prior to colostrum consumption and again 24 and 48 h after administration of duodenal fluid. Total proteins, .beta.-globulin and .gamma.-globulin of serum increased with age in all calves. Inocula interference with absorption was indicated by depressed values of serum in calves of treatment 3 as compared to treatment 1 calves for protein (5.28-6.28 g/dl), .beta.-globulin (.67-.87 g/dl), and .gamma.-globulin (.76-1.33 g/dl). Protein was lower in calves of treatment 3 (6.05 g/dl) compared to uninoculated calves (6.28 g/dl). Malabsorption of colostral proteins may be related to early establishment of large numbers of intestinal microorganisms in the newborn calf.