Effect of controlled heating of colostrum on immunoglobulins absorption, performance and certain health parameters in calf

The immunity and health of newborn calf are related to immunoglobulins uptake from colostrum where treatment of colostrum may improve the uptake. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of controlled heat-treating of colostrum and antibiotic addition on immunoglobulins absorption, performance and health parameters of calf. The colostrum pool was prepared from multiparous dams and was frozen after the treatments. Colostrum was fed immediately after the birth three times a day for 2 days. Twelve newborn Holstein calves were divided into three treatment groups including 1) raw colostrum (control), 2) heat-treated colostrum, and 3) colostrum with oxytetracyclin in a completely randomized design. Blood samples were obtained in days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 via jugular vein. Health score and fecal point were determined daily. Results showed that heat-treating of colostrum increased immunoglobulins uptake and their apparent efficiency of absorption (p<0.01), where a 24% increase in blood immunoglobulins concentrations and a 15% in their apparent efficiency of absorption were observed by heating the colostrum compared with control group and a lower increase was observed compared with antibiotic group. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, weaning time and weight as well as the amount and time of beginning starter intake among groups. Feed conversion ratio did not affected by the treatments. There were no significant differences in blood cells counts among groups. Calves fecal point was not affected by the treatments but health score was increased by using heat-treated colostrum where scour incidence was reduced (p<0.05). Results of the study showed that controlled heat-treating of colostrum is an effective and practical method to improve immunoglobulins absorption and reduce scour incidence in calf.