The effects of oral administration of ascorbic acid on serum γ-globulin concentrations of neonatal calves

The effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the immune system is well-known. Ascorbic acid stimulates either humoral or cell-mediated immunity in many species. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of ascorbic acid on serum γ-globulin concentration of colostrum-fed newborn calves. During a cold winter season, 20 dairy Holstein calves from a group of 40 calves were supplemented with ascorbic acid from birth to 3 weeks of age (treatment). The other 20 calves did not receive any ascorbic acid supplementation (control). Ascorbic acid was administered per os and treatment was as follows: 3 g/day for the first week, 2 g/day for the second week, and 1 g/day for the third week. All calves were housed in elevated metal pens during the winter and at low temperature from birth to 60 days of age. Serum samples were collected immediately after birth, before taking colostrum and on the 2nd, 14th and 28th days of age via jugular vein. There was no significant difference in serum γ-globulin concentrations for the two groups before taking colostrum and at 2 and 14 days of age. The serum γ-globulin concentration of the supplemented group at 28 days of age was significantly higher than that of calves not receiving ascorbic acid. The results of the present study showed that oral administration of ascorbic acid increases γ-globulin concentration of neonatal calf serum.