The Effect of parenteral administration of Erythromycin on Immunoglobulin G absorption in neonatal calves

Motilides mainly erythromycin have a great ability to increase abomasal emptying rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of erythromycin as a prokinetic agent on abomasal emptying rate and Immunoglobulin G absorption in neonatal calves. Twelve Holstein neonate calves were divided into two groups (treatment and control) of 6 Calves each. One hour after birth، treatment and control groups were injected by Erythromycine (8. 8 mg/kg; IM) and normal saline (IM). After 30 minutes، calves were fed by 3 liters of colostrum using esophageal tube. Venous blood samples for determination of plasma IgG were obtained at 1، 3، 6، 9، 12، 18، 24، 36، 48 hours and 5 and 7 days after birth. The results showed that administration of erythromycin caused a significant increase in the serum IgG level (20. 394 mg/mL)، compared to the control group (15. 021 mg/mL). This study revealed that erythromycin increases the serum IgG level probably through abomasal emptying acceleration.