R. E. Kosa,
D. C. Borger,
L. B. Willett 2
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
A number of approaches are being investigated to increase the survival and performance of dairy calves using strategies that can be implemented immediately after birth. Several of these involve treatments that may enhance the absorption of colostral immunoglobulins. Calves are born without sufficient immunoglobulin G (IgG) to effectively resist microbial challenges. New born calves must ingest and absorb IgG within hours of birth to acquire immunity. Less than 50% of consumed IgG is detected in the blood of calves appropriately fed colostrum, suggesting that a portion of the IgG may be degraded in the abomasum. Tagamet HB® (THB; SmithKline Beecham, Philadelphia, PA) with the active ingredient cimetidine, is used by humans to reduce the production of gastric secretions. It was hoped that reduced digestive and acid secretions would allow more of the IgG in colostrum to be absorbed. Holstein calves were randomly allotted to four treatment groups: A, 600mg THB 0.5 post-partum; C2, placebo 0.5 hr post-partum; B, 300 mg THB 0.5 and 7.5 hours post-partum; and C9, placebo 0.5 and 7.5 hr post-partum. Calves were fed a colostrum substitute (Life Boost, Natur's Way Company, Oakland, NE) containing 35 g IgG, 1.5 hours after the last THB or placebo dose. Subsequent feedings were milk replacer (Purina, St. Louis, MO) containing <0.4 mg IgG. Blood was collected 0.5 hr after birth, immediately preceding each dose, and at 6, 12, and 24 hours after the first feeding. Serum IgG was determined by ELISA. The health of calves was recorded for six weeks. Neither Tagamet HB treatment protocol influenced serum IgG concentrations when compared to placebo controls, nor were there differences between calves given IgG at two or nine hours post-partum. There was no significant difference between the health of treated calves and those given placebo controls. These results suggested that either abomasal secretions were not destructive to IgG or Tagamet HB is ineffective in newborn calves.
1 This study was funded in part by the Ohio Dairy Farmers Federation Dairy
Research Fund.
2 For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, Ohio
Agricultural Research and Development Center, 128 Gerlaugh Hall, 1680 Madison
Ave., Wooster, OH 44691; 330-263-3792; e-mail: willett.2@osu.edu