Immune protection of calves depending on the composition and biological value of colostrum

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the quantity and quality of colostrum on energy growth of calves, their incidence and safety in the first two weeks of post-embryonic development. Studies of calves’ blood serum showed that the first few hours after birth before colostrum intake the protein level was low - 4.2 g%, which after colostrum drinking increased up to 6.3 g%. Also the number of Ig G increased up to 1458 mg% and Ig M up to 127-181 mg%. Later immunoglobulin levels decreased in the first month after birth. Then starting from the second month after birth the number of immunoglobulins increased and by 9-12-month the level of immunoglobulins G-and M-Class almost reached the value for adult animals.