home → articles → Herd Health | Email to a Friend

Immunity Affected By Many Items

published: November 12th 2008
by: Glenn Selk
source: Oklahoma State University Extension

There are several factors that influence amount of immunoglobulin that is absorbed by the baby calf. Some of these factors are directly related to the amount of colostrum available from the mother. These factors include: 1) genetic composition of the dam, 2) age of the dam, and 3) nutritional status of the dam.

Certainly it is clear that dairy-influence or high milking beef cows should have a larger volume of colostrum. It is less certain whether the concentration of antibody molecules is the same. In some cases, smaller amounts of colostrum may have higher concentrations of immunoglobulins, helping to offset the difference in total volume. Mature cows consistently give more colostrum than two-year olds of similar genetic makeup. Therefore it is no mystery that calves from two-year old cows are more prone to diseases such as scours than calves from older cows. Cows in better body condition at calving have been shown to impart more passive immunity to their calves. This is most apparent in young cows.

Research in Colorado found that calves from thin (less than 5 body condition score) had lower amounts of circulating antibodies at 24 hours of age than did calves from heifers that were in adequate to good body condition score (body condition score 5 or 6) at calving.