Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA) concentration in cows and their calves

The objective of this study was to determine the relation between the immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration in the cow serum and colostrum and subsequent Ig concentrations in the calf serum. Black and White dairy cows (n = 64) and their calves were examined. Blood samples were taken from cows at approximately 1 month prepartum and 8 weeks postpartum and from calves at the age of 1 and 4 weeks. First milking colostrum samples were obtained. The IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations in the serum samples were measured with the quantitative ELISA. The colostrum Ig concentration was measured with colostrometer. The descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients by Pearson were calculated. Statistically significant positive correlations were established between the serum IgG concentrations in cows and their calves, and between the Ig concentration in the colostrum and serum of calves. Statistically significant positive correlations were established between the IgG (r = 0.386, P = 0.001) and IgA (r = 0.350, P = 0.004) concentrations in calves at the age of 1 and 4 weeks. There was no significant correlation between the Ig concentration in colostrum and IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations in the cows’ serum. Calf serum IgG and IgA obtained in the 1st week showed a positive relationship with the IgG concentration in the serum and colostrum of the cows. Positive correlations between IgG and IgA in the calf serum in the 1st and 4th week of life indicate that calves with a higher Ig concentration in the 1st week also have a higher Ig level later when they already produce their own immunoglobulin.