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

This study was to determine if orally administered duodenal fluid, as a source of intestinal microorganisms, would influence absorption of gamma-globulin of colostrum in newborn calves. Duodenal fluid was obtained 2 h postfeeding from a cannulated milk-fed calf. Twenty-seven male and female Holstein calves obtained within 6 h of birth were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) colostrum alone, 2) 200 ml duodenal fluid immediately followed by colostrum, and 3) 200 ml duodenal fluid followed 3 h later by colostrum. Pooled colostrum was fed at 10% of body weight in two 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 to 6.28 g/dl), beta-globulin (.67 to .87 g/dl), and gamma-globulin (.76 to 1.33 g/dl). Protein was also 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.