An observational study on passive immunity in Irish suckler beef and dairy calves: Tests for failure of passive transfer of immunity and associations with health and performance

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of additional consumption of immuneglobulins associated with high quality colostrum in health and performance of dairy calves. After birth, 80 females were randomly assigned to two treatments: MC) high quality colostrum, supplied in a volume corresponding to 15% of birth weight; and MC+S) high quality colostrum (15% of birth weight) + colostrum supplement. Blood parameters were not affected by the additional supply of immune globulins (Ig) by colostrum supplement feeding. The concentrate and total dry matter intakes were not affected by the administration of colostrum supplementation. The additional intake of Ig through the colostrum supplement did not affect the performance or feed efficiency of calves; however, animals doubled their birth weight at the end of the period, as occurred with MC fed calves. Regarding the health, additional supply of Ig did not affect the number of days with diarrhea, days with fever or medicated days. The additional intake of Ig via colostrum supplement in combination with high quality maternal colostrum have not improved immunity or affected the performance and health of dairy calves.

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1464 Colostrum supplement feeding with a medium-quality bovine colostrum: Passive immunity transfer, health, and performance of dairy calves

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jam2016-1464 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 94 (suppl_5) ◽

pp. 710-711

Author(s):

M. R. De Paula ◽

N. B. Rocha ◽

E. Miqueo ◽

F. L. M. Silva ◽

T. Manzoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bovine Colostrum ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Passive Immunity ◽

Medium Quality ◽

And Performance

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Impact of 2 Versus 1 Colostrum Meals on Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity, Pre-Weaning Morbidity and Mortality, and Performance of Dairy Calves in a Large Dairy Herd

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030782 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 782

Author(s):

Angel Abuelo ◽

Faith Cullens ◽

Amanda Hanes ◽

Jill L. Brester

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Passive Immunity ◽

Lower Probability ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

And Performance ◽

The Impact

Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) due to inadequate ingestion of colostral immunoglobulins by calves is associated with increased mortality and morbidity risks. Feeding calves a sufficient amount of quality-tested colostrum within the first hours of life is essential for successfully transferring passive immunity. Many farms have implemented a second meal of colostrum to maximize the opportunities for passive immunity transfer. However, excellent passive immunity can be achieved with a single feeding of sufficient quality-tested colostrum. Moreover, there is currently no evidence demonstrating the impact of a second colostrum feeding within 24 h of life in calves receiving adequate volumes of quality-tested colostrum in an initial feeding. Hence, the objective of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the risks of FPTI, pre-weaning morbidity and mortality, and growth and performance between dairy calves that received one or two feedings of colostrum. For this, the health and production records of a large dairy herd were analyzed. At this farm, newborn calves receive 3 L of quality-tested colostrum soon after birth, followed by another 2 L 5–6 h later. However, at times of shortages of colostrum, calves only receive the initial 3 L meal. The records of 2064 male and 2272 female calves were analyzed, where 4156 and 180 calves received 2 and 1 colostrum meals, respectively. Data from both sexes were included in the analysis of the risks of FTPI, morbidity, and mortality; however, only data from heifer calves were utilized for growth and performance analysis. Survival analysis, and logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of receiving two feedings of colostrum on calf FTPI status, morbidity, mortality, reproductive indices, pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG), and first lactation 305-d Mature Equivalent milk production (305ME). Calves that received two feedings of colostrum had lower odds of FTPI, a lower probability of being treated for respiratory disease, diarrhea, or any disease, and a greater pre-weaning ADG. However, there was no association between the number of colostrum feedings and pre-weaning mortality, and the probabilities of first insemination and first calving, although heifers receiving two colostrum feedings tended to receive fewer inseminations and to have a greater first lactation 305ME. Collectively, our results suggest that feeding calves a second feeding of colostrum 5–6 h after the initial feeding soon after birth could be an effective strategy to decrease FTPI and morbidity and optimize ADG in dairy calves pre-weaning.

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Observational Study Conducted on Patients Receiving the ESOP 2 Stem to Confirm Security and Performance of the Device

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04193163 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

And Performance

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Isoquinoline Alkaloids in Sows’ Diet Reduces Body Weight Loss during Lactation and Increases IgG in Colostrum

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082195 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2195

Author(s):

Ester Arévalo Sureda ◽

Xuemei Zhao ◽

Valeria Artuso-Ponte ◽

Sophie-Charlotte Wall ◽

Bing Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Body Weight ◽

Body Weight Loss ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Passive Immunity ◽

Isoquinoline Alkaloids ◽

Back Muscle ◽

Fat Thickness ◽

And Performance

Isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) exert beneficial antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in livestock. Therefore, we hypothesized that supplementing sows’ diets with IQ during gestation would decrease farrowing stress, affecting the piglets’ development and performance. Sows were divided into: IQ1, supplemented with IQ from gestation day 80 (G80) to weaning; IQ2, supplemented from gestation day 110 (G110) to weaning, and a non-supplemented (NC) group. Sow body weight (BW), feed intake, back-fat thickness and back-muscle thickness were monitored. Cortisol, glucose and insulin were measured in sows’ blood collected 5 d before, during, and after 7 d farrowing. Protein, fat, IgA and IgG were analyzed in the colostrum and milk. Piglets were monitored for weight and diarrhea score, and for ileum histology and gene expression 5 d post-weaning. IQ-supplemented sows lost less BW during lactation. Glucose and insulin levels were lower in the IQ groups compared to NC-sows 5 d before farrowing and had higher levels of protein and IgG in their colostrum. No other differences were observed in sows, nor in the measured parameters in piglets. In conclusion, IQ supplementation affected sows’ metabolism, reducing body weight loss during lactation. Providing IQ to sows from their entrance into the maternity barn might be sufficient to induce these effects. IQ improved colostrum quality, increasing the protein and IgG content, improving passive immunity for piglets.

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Observational Study on Variation of Longitudinal Platelet Counts in Calves over the First 14 Days of Life and Reference Intervals from Cross-Sectional Platelet and Leukocyte Counts in Dairy Calves up to Two Months of Age

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 347

Author(s):

Emma Strous ◽

Arne Vanhoudt ◽

Anja Smolenaars ◽

Gerdien van Schaik ◽

Matthijs Schouten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Observational Study ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adult Cattle ◽

Platelet Counts ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Leukocyte Counts ◽

Count Reference

Platelet and leukocyte count reference intervals (RIs) for cattle differ by age and while adult RIs are known, RIs for calves are studied less. The aims of this observational study are to evaluate variation of platelet counts of Holstein Friesian calves over the first 14 days of life and to propose RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts of Holstein Friesian calves aged 0–60 days. In a longitudinal study, 19 calves were blood sampled 17 times, in the first 14 days of their lives. Blood was collected in a citrate blood tube and platelet counts were determined. We assessed the course of platelet counts. In a field study, 457 healthy calves were blood sampled once. Blood was collected in an EDTA blood tube and platelet and leukocyte counts were determined. The RIs were calculated by the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Platelet counts started to increase 24 h after birth (mean platelet count 381 × 109/L ± 138 × 109/L) and stabilized after five days (mean platelet count 642 × 109/L ± 265 × 109/L). In calves up to six days of age, platelet counts were lower than in calves older than five days. In conclusion, the RIs of platelet and leukocyte counts in calves were wider in range than the RIs for adult cattle, therefore, calf specific RIs for platelet and leukocyte counts should be used. From 6 until 60 days of age, we propose an RI for platelet counts of 287–1372 × 109/L and for the first 60 days of life an RI for leukocyte counts of 4.0–18.9 × 109/L.

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Energy Intakes of Ultraendurance Cyclists During Competition, an Observational Study

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism ◽

10.1123/ijsnem.22.1.19 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 19-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Katherine E. Black ◽

Paula M.L. Skidmore ◽

Rachel C. Brown

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Energy Requirement ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Computer Software ◽

High Energy ◽

Energy Deficit ◽

Food Diary ◽

Food And Drink ◽

And Performance

Endurance events >10 hr are becoming increasingly popular but provide numerous physiological challenges, several of which can be attenuated with optimal nutritional intakes. Previous studies in ultraendurance races have reported large energy deficits during events. The authors therefore aimed to assess nutritional intakes in relation to performance among ultraendurance cyclists. This observational study included 18 cyclists in a 384-km cycle race. At race registration each cyclist’s support crew was provided with a food diary for their cyclist. On completion of the race, cyclists were asked to recall their race food and drink intakes. All food and fluids were analyzed using a computer software package. Mean (SD) time to complete the race was 16 hr 21 min (2 hr 2 min). Mean (SD) energy intake was 18.7 (8.6) MJ, compared with an estimated energy requirement for the race of 25.5 (7.4) MJ. There was a significant negative relationship between energy intake and time taken to complete the race (p = .023, r2 = −.283). Mean (SD) carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes were 52 (27), 15.84 (56.43), and 2.94 (7.25) g/hr, respectively. Only carbohydrate (p = .015, r2 = −.563) and fat intake (p = .037, r2 = −.494) were associated with time taken to complete the race. This study demonstrates the difficulties in meeting the high energy demands of ultraendurance cycling. The relationship between energy intake and performance suggests that reducing the energy deficit may be advantageous. Given the high carbohydrate intakes of these athletes, increasing energy intake from fat should be investigated as a means of decreasing energy deficits.

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Is the introduction of a student-centred, problem-based curriculum associated with improvements in student nurse well-being and performance? An observational study of effect

International Journal of Nursing Studies ◽

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2005.10.013 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 43 (8) ◽

pp. 941-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Martyn C. Jones ◽

Derek W. Johnston

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Student Nurse ◽

And Performance

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280 Descriptive Characteristics of Preweaned Heifer Raising Practices on China Dairy Farms: Colostrum Quality, Passive Transfer Status and Growth Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.272 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 148-149

Author(s):

Shuai Liu ◽

Tianyu Chen ◽

Jiaqi Li ◽

Wenli Guo ◽

Rong Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Passive Transfer ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Serum Total Protein ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Whole Milk ◽

Report System ◽

Few Data ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Few data are available on the descriptive characteristics of colostrum quality, passive transfer status and growth performance within a national population in China. This study included 110 dairy operations in 23 provinces, and data were obtained from management software, report system and questionnaires from 2015 to 2019. Data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.0, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results showed that colostrum quality was measured in 96.4% of farms and colostrum was pasteurized in 91.8% of farms. 83.6% of colostrum was excellent (Brix > 22%). Colostrum could be fed to calves within 1 hour after birth in 86.4% of farms. Besides, calves that experienced failure of passive transfer (serum total protein < 5.2 g/dl) decreased from 2015 to 2019 and accounted for 0.75% of calves in 2019. Most farms (48.8%) feed 400 kg - 600 kg milk during the preweaning period and whole milk was the main type of liquid diet accounting for 70.6% of farms. Meanwhile, 22.0% of farms chose to feed forage before weaning, and 90.1% of these farms fed oat hay. The average birth weight of calves was 37.8 kg and the average daily gain of preweaning calves was 848.3 g/d. For preweaning calves, the proportion of single housing was more than 60%, whereas postweaning calves were mainly raised in groups. The morbidity of preweaning calves in China decreased annually, from 43.3% in 2015 to 25.4% in 2019. Digestive diseases and respiratory diseases were two main diseases, and accounted for 46.0% and 38.4%, respectively. This study provides an overview on dairy calves raising practices in China.

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