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PubMed1989

Protection against bovine rotaviruses in newborn calves by continuous feeding of immune colostrum.

Three pregnant cows were inoculated intramuscularly with inactivated vaccine to bovine rotavirus (BRV) serotype 1 (BRV-1) and serotype 2 (BRV-2). Serum neutralizing antibody (NA) titers against both serotypes increased significantly after immunization. NA titers of colostrum obtained from immunized cows against BRV-1 and BRV-2 were 29286 and 38109, respectively, which were significantly higher than those from non-immunized control cows. Nine and 6 colostrum deprived calves were orally challenged with BRV-1 and BRV-2, respectively, and monitored for clinical manifestation and viral shedding. Five calves of them, 3 with BRV-1 and 2 with BRV-2, received 2 l of milk replacer supplemented with 10% immune colostrum 2 hr before challenge and twice daily for the first 5 days after challenge. Other 10 calves, 6 with BRV-1 and 4 with BRV-2, were fed only milk replacer as controls. All control calves developed severe diarrhea and shed a large amount of BRV in feces, beginning from 24 to 48 hr after challenge inoculation. On the contrary, all calves but one fed colostrum supplement remained clinically healthy after challenge, and BRV was not detected in their feces during feeding immune colostrum. The possibility that continuous feeding of immune colostrum is capable of preventing newborn calves from diarrhea associated with BRV and viral shedding was suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of the secretory immunoglobulin A levels in the colostrum and milk of mothers of term and pre-term newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and to compare the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A in samples of colostrum and milk of mothers of term and preterm neonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The levels of secretory immunoglobulin A of 10 mothers of term neonates and 10 mothers of preterm neonates were determined from 5 mL of colostrum or milk collected on the 1st, 4th, 10th and 15th days of the puerperal period, using the radial immunodiffusion technique. We employed anamnesis, as well as physical and gynecological exams in women in the puerperal period. All the patients were attended at the Januário Cicco Maternity College. RESULTS: The secretory immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher in the colostrum and milk of mothers of preterm neonates when compared with the levels found in colostrum and milk of mothers of term neonates (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.0001). There was a significant decline in the secretory immunoglobulin A levels of the colostrum and milk of the mothers of term and preterm neonates during the four periods (Kruskal-Wallis test, p<00001). CONCLUSIONS: The secretory immunoglobulin A levels in colostrum and milk of mothers of preterm neonates were significantly higher than in the mothers of term neonates, demonstrating immunological adaptation in preterm neonate breast-feeding.

Colostrum↗

PubMed2005

Effect of delayed colostrum collection on colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of timing of first-milking colostrum collection on colostral IgG concentration. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 13 healthy Holstein cows. PROCEDURES: All calvings were observed. After parturition, calves were not allowed to suckle and were separated from the dam. Colostrum was collected from a single randomly selected quarter at 2, 6, 10, and 14 hours after parturition until all 4 quarters were sampled. Colostral IgG concentration was determined via radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: Mean colostral IgG concentration was 113, 94, 82, and 76 g/L at 2, 6, 10, and 14 hours after calving, respectively. Colostrum collected 6, 10, and 14 hours after calving had significantly lower IgG concentrations than did colostrum collected 2 hours after calving. Mean colostral IgG concentration at 14 hours after calving was significantly lower than that at 6 hours after calving. Cows in their third or greater lactation had mean colostral IgG concentrations 2 hours after calving (132 g/L) that were greater than the first and second lactation cows (mean, 95 and 100 g/L, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that early or immediate colostrum collection from dairy cows will maximize colostral IgG concentration. Adjustment of routine dairy farm management procedures may be required to maximize colostrum quality and minimize prevalence of failure of passive transfer in dairy calves.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of a cow-side immunoassay kit for assessing IgG concentration in colostrum.

OBJECTIVE: To determine sensitivity and specificity of a cow-side immunoassay kit for assessing IgG concentration in colostrum. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 76 dairy and 11 beef cows of various parities. PROCEDURE: Colostrum from first, second, and third milkings and milk samples were collected, and IgG concentration was determined by means of radial immunodiffusion. The immunoassay was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated by comparing results of the immunoassay (positive vs negative) with results of immunodiffusion (< 50 g/L vs > or = 50 g/L). RESULTS: 135 colostrum or milk samples were collected. Mean +/- SD colostral IgG concentrations, determined by means of radial immunodiffusion for dairy and beef cows were 65.4 +/- 51.4 g/L and 114.8 +/- 42.7 g/L, respectively. Mean IgG concentrations for first-, second-, and third-milking colostrum samples and for milk samples were 92 +/- 49.0 g/L, 74.6 +/- 45.1 g/L, 47.5 +/- 32 g/L, and 6.8 +/- 3.8 g/L, respectively. Sensitivity of the immunoassay (ie, percentage of samples with IgG concentration < 50 g/L with a positive immunoassay result) was 93%, and specificity (ie, percentage of samples with IgG concentration > or = 50 g/L with a negative immunoassay result) was 76%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that the immunoassay kit was an acceptable cow-side test to identify colostrum samples with IgG concentrations < 50 g/L. The immunoassay kit should be useful in screening colostrum for adequate IgG concentration before feeding to calves or storage.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Prolonged colostrum feeding enhances xylose absorption in neonatal calves.

Colostrum contains numerous components that influence gastrointestinal development in neonates. To test the influence of differences in duration of colostrum feeding in newborn calves on gastrointestinal absorptive capacity, .5 g xylose/kg BW was administered on d 5 of life. Calves of group GrC6 were fed colostrum from the first six milkings on the first 3 d and then milk replacer. Calves of group GrC1 were fed first colostrum only and then milk replacer in the same amounts as calves of group GrC6. Calves of group GrM were fed only milk replacer: they received no colostrum. The rise of plasma xylose after xylose intake was greater (P < .05) in GrC6 and GrC1 than in GrM but not significantly greater in GrC6 than in GrC1. Basal and mean plasma glucose concentrations on d 5 of life were higher in GrC6 than in GrM, but there was no difference in the magnitude of its postprandial rise. The data indicate greater xylose absorptive capacity in calves after prolonged colostrum intake compared with calves fed only milk replacer.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Small intestinal morphology in eight-day-old calves fed colostrum for different durations or only milk replacer and treated with long-R3-insulin-like growth factor I and growth hormone.

The effects of feeding different amounts of colostrum or only milk replacer and the effects of Long-R3-IGF-I (administered s.c. or orally; 50 microg/[kg BW x d] for 7 d), and of s.c. injected recombinant bovine GH (rbGH; 1 mg/[kg BW x d] for 7 d) on small intestinal mucosal morphology in newborn calves were studied by histomorphometry. Neonatal calves fed colostrum six times exhibited greater (P < .01) villus circumferences, areas, and heights in total small intestine and especially in the duodenum than calves fed only milk replacer. Furthermore, villus circumferences and areas in total small intestine were greater (P < .05) in calves fed colostrum once than in calves fed no colostrum. Villus size in total small intestine was smaller (P < .05) in rbGH-treated than in control calves; jejunum villus circumferences and heights were especially reduced (P < .05). Crypt depths in ileum were greater (P < .05) in rbGH-treated calves. In conclusion, prolonged colostrum supply significantly enhanced small intestinal villus size in neonatal calves. In contrast, Long-R3-IGF-I had no significant influence on small intestinal morphology, and rbGH in supraphysiological amounts even reduced small intestinal mucosal variables after 1 wk of treatment. The study demonstrated enhanced postnatal development of the gastrointestinal tract by prolonged colostrum feeding, but not by Long-R3-IGF-I or GH.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Influence of feeding different amounts of first colostrum on metabolic, endocrine, and health status and on growth performance in neonatal calves.

Colostrum intake is important for health and postnatal development of neonatal calves. We studied the effects of enhanced first colostrum feeding on growth, health status, and metabolic and endocrine traits in calves during their 1st wk of life. Calves of group CL (GrCL; n = 7) were fed colostrum of milkings 1 to 6 twice daily during the first 3 d of life, followed by milk replacer (MR) up to d 7. Calves of group CH (GrCH; n = 7) were fed colostrum of the first milking during the first 3 d and then colostrum (of the first milking) twice daily, which on d 4, 5, 6, and 7 was diluted with 25, 50, 75, and 75 parts of MR, respectively. Pre- and postprandial blood samples were taken on d 1, 2, 3, and 7 for the determination of various metabolic and endocrine traits, and on d 5 intestinal absorption capacity was measured using the xylose absorption test. Rectal temperatures and fecal scores were higher (P < .05) in GrCH than in GrCL. Plasma concentrations of total protein and albumin were higher (P < .05) on d 7, IgG on d 2 and 3, and urea on d 2, 3, and 7 in GrCH than in GrCL. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides were higher (P < .05) on d 2 and of phospholipids and cholesterol were higher (P < .01) on d 7 in GrCH than in GrCL. Plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations were higher (P < .05) in GrCH than in GrCL, whereas prolactin and growth hormone concentrations were higher (P < .05) in GrCL than in GrCH. Enhanced colostrum intake had no effects on xylose absorption on d 5. Higher plasma protein, urea, and lipid concentrations in GrCH partly mirrored higher protein and fat intake but additionally pointed to higher protein synthesis and lipid turnover.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1981

Genetic differences in concentration of immunoglobulins G1 and M in serum and colostrum of cows and in serum of neonatal calves.

Blood samples obtained 24 and 36 hr postparturition from 187 calves in 2 years were analyzed for serum concentration of immunoglobulins G1 (IgG1) and M (IgM). Serum and colostrum samples also were obtained from their dams, and corresponding immunoglobulin levels were determined. Calves were evaluated for their ability to acquire and absorb immunoglobulins and cows for their ability to produce immunoglobulins. Mathematical models included sources of variation for breed of sire, sire within breed, breed of dam, age of dam and sex of calf. Of these factors, breed of sire, breed of dam and age of dam were the most important. Simmental- and Pinzgauer-sired calves tended (p = .07) to have lower IgG1 and IgM levels than calves sired by Hereford, Hereford X Angus and Tarentaise bulls. Calves of Hereford X Angus dams had consistently higher immunoglobulin concentrations than calves of Hereford dams. Hereford X Angus cows tended to have higher colostrum concentrations and lower serum concentrations of the two immunoglobulins than Hereford cows. A fetal sire effect was demonstrated for serum IgM concentrations in that cows mated to Simmental bulls had lower (P = .05) concentrations than cows mated to bulls of other breeds. Advancing age of dam was associated with higher concentrations of immunoglobulins, except for serum IgM in the calf and in the cow. Correlations between serum and colostrum concentrations of both immunoglobulins in the dam were low, as were correlations between cow colostrum concentration and calf serum concentration of IgG1. IgM in the colostrum was positively associated with IgM in calf serum, however. Heritability estimates for calf serum IgG1 concentration were high (.52 +/- .28 and .69 +/- 30 at 24 and 36 hr, respectively), while estimates for heritability of IgM concentrations were intermediate (.30 +/- .26 and .35 +/- .26 at 24 and 36 hr, respectively). There was no evidence that sires within breeds influenced, through the fetus, immunoglobulin concentrations in serum or colostrum of their mates. Relatively high repeatabilities for all traits imply that observed differences among cows were due in part to genetic and (or) permanent environmental differences.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Effect of colostrum or medium-chain triglyceride supplementation on the pattern of plasma glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and survival of neonatal pigs.

A total of 48 neonatal pigs were used to determine whether intubation with colostrum or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) would enhance glucose homeostasis and survival. Pigs were removed from the sow prior to nursing and alloted to three treatment groups. Fasted pigs received only water for 30 h, whereas those allotted to supplemented groups received either 30 ml of colostrum or 15 ml of MCT at 6 and 16 h after birth (t6 and t16). Supplementation with MCT (t6) resulted in a 2.4-fold elevation in plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration compared with fasted pigs (260 vs 109 microEq/liter at t8; P less than .05). This difference increased following the second MCT dose (436 vs 117 microEq/liter at t18; P less than .05). Colostrum supplementation also elevated plasma NEFA (201 and 259 microEq/liter at t8 and t18, respectively); however, less triglyceride fatty acid was presented via colostrum compared with MCT. Supplementation with MCT resulted in a greater increase in plasma glucose concentration, relative to fasting levels (75 vs 56 mg/ml at t8; 76 vs 62 mg/ml at t18), than was obtained with colostrum (68 and 65 mg/ml at t8 and t18, respectively). Residual effects of supplementation to t30 were evident for both MCT and colostrum pigs in NEFA levels, but only the MCT group had a greater (P less than .05) concentration of plasma glucose at t30 compared with the fasted group (63 vs 49; P less than .05). This regimen of MCT supplementation was employed in an experiment with nursing pigs to determine whether MCT would improve glucose status and survival of less-competitive pigs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Eliciting antibodies in chickens to human dimeric IgA. Removal of factors from human colostrum depressing anti IgA antibody production.

Contrary to expectation chickens did not readily elicit antibodies to IgA dimers when untreated human colostrum was used as antigen. When colostrum was fractionated by means of a column of 8% granulated agarose equilibrated with 10mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, a major and a minor fraction were obtained. The major or "1st fraction" consisted of two components with sedimentation coefficients of 10.9 S and 14.1 S, respectively. The minor or "2nd fraction" consisted of components of S values ranging from 2 to 6 and small amounts of 10.9 and 14.1 S material. When chickens were immunized with the "1st fraction" antibodies to dimeric IgA were produced. When the "1st and 2nd fractions" of the column were remixed and used for immunization of chickens, the immune response was as poor as when the chickens were injected with untreated colostrum. An immuno-depressing agent in colostrum was indicated. When rabbits were immunized with clarified human colostrum, antibodies against five antigens were elicited, one of the antigens being dimeric IgA. The immuno-depressing agent is therefore not universal. The purified agent suppressed antibody formation in chickens against the haemocyanin of Jasus lalandii. The "activity" is therefore not specific for IgA and the remaining four antigens in human colostrum. The purified component is a glyco-protein with a hexose content in excess of 10%. The derivatized sugars prepared from it were shown by gas liquid chromatography to be an equimolar mixture of galactose, mannose and fucose. The molecular weight (Mr) of the purified component was found to be 72,000 by sedimentation and diffusion and 80,000 by SDS page using Mr reference standards. The properties of the immuno-suppressor strongly suggest that it is the secretory piece of dimeric IgA.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Eliciting antibodies in chickens to human dimeric IgA removal of factors from human colostrum depressing anti IgA antibody production.

Contrary to expectation chickens did not readily elicit antibodies to IgA dimers when untreated human colostrum was used as antigen. When colostrum was fractionated by means of a column of 8% granulated agarose equilibrated with 10mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, a major and a minor fraction were obtained. The major or "1st fraction" consisted of two components with sedimentation coefficients of 10.9 S and 14.1 S, respectively. The minor or "2nd fraction" consisted of components of S values ranging from 2 to 6 and small amounts of 10.9 and 14.1 S material. When chickens were immunized with the "1st fraction" antibodies to dimeric IgA were produced. When the "1st and 2nd fractions" of the column were remixed and used for immunization of chickens, the immune response was poor as when the chickens were injected with untreated colostrum. An immuno-depressing agent in colostrum was indicated. When rabbits were immunized with clarified human colostrum, antibodies against five antigens were elicited, one of the antigens being dimeric IgA. The purified agent suppressed antibody formation in chickens against the haemocyanin of Jasus lalandii. The "activity" is therefore not specific for IgA and the remaining four antigens in human colostrum. The purified component is a glyco-protein with a hexose content in excess of 10%. The derivatized sugars prepared from it were shown by gas liquid chromatography to be an equimolar mixture of galactose, mannose and fucose. The molecular weight (Mr) of the purified component was found to be 72,000 by sedimentation and diffusion and 80,000 by SDS page using Mr reference standards. The properties of the immuno-suppressor strongly suggest that it is the secretory piece of dimeric IgA.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Concentrations of sialyloligosaccharides in bovine colostrum and milk during the prepartum and early lactation.

Sialyloligosaccharides and sialylglycoconjugates in colostrum and milk are regarded to be important biological components with respect to be source of brain gangliosides in infant and to be antiinfectional components for the attack by the pathogenic bacteria and virus. Several acidic oligosaccharides have been characterised in both bovine and human milk or colostrum. The sialyloligosaccharide content of human colostrum and milk has been extensively studied, whereas that of cows milk and colostrum has received less attention. In this study, the concentrations of three sialyloligosaccharides of bovine colostrum and milk were determined at various stages during the prepartum and the first 7 d postpartum. The concentration of 3'SL (Neu5Ac(alpha2-3)Gal(beta1-4)Glc) reached a maximum value of 0.85 mg/ml immediately following parturition while the concentrations of 6'SL (Neu5Ac(alpha2-6)Gal(beta1-4)Glc) and 6'SLN (Neu5Ac(alpha2-6)Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc) of 0.14 and 0.12 mg/ml, respectively, were much lower at this initial stage, although these concentration were maximum immediately following parturition. Bovine colostrum, especially that collected immediately after parturition, may be suitable as a source of 3'SL and other sialyloligosaccharides for use as additives by the food or pharmaceutical industries.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Preventing bacterial contamination and proliferation during the harvest, storage, and feeding of fresh bovine colostrum.

The objectives of this study were to identify control points for bacterial contamination of bovine colostrum during the harvesting and feeding processes, and to describe the effects of refrigeration and use of potassium sorbate preservative on bacteria counts in stored fresh colostrum. For objective 1, first-milking colostrum samples were collected aseptically directly from the mammary glands of 39 cows, from the milking bucket, and from the esophageal feeder tube. For objective 2, 15-mL aliquots of colostrum were collected from the milking bucket and allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups: 1) refrigeration, 2) ambient temperature, 3) refrigeration with potassium sorbate preservative, and 4) ambient temperature with potassium sorbate preservative. Subsamples from each treatment group were collected after 24, 48, and 96 h of storage. All samples underwent bacteriological culture for total plate count and coliform count. Bacteria counts were generally low or zero in colostrum collected directly from the gland [mean (SD) log10 cfu/mL(udder) = 1.44 (1.45)]. However, significant bacterial contamination occurred during the harvest process [mean (SD) log10 cfu/mL(bucket) = 4.99 (1.95)]. No additional bacterial contamination occurred between the bucket and the esophageal feeder tube. Storing colostrum at warm ambient temperatures resulted in the most rapid increase in bacteria counts, followed by intermediate rates of growth in nonpreserved refrigerated samples or preserved samples stored at ambient temperature. The most effective treatment studied was the use of potassium sorbate preservative in refrigerated samples, for which total plate count and total coliform counts dropped significantly and then remained constant during the 96-h storage period.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Residues in colostrum following antibiotic dry cow therapy.

Cows from five dairy herds were used to determine persistence of antibiotic residues in colostrum and milk following dry cow therapy. Cows were treated in all quarters at drying off with antibiotics approved for use for nonlactating cows. Antibiotics procaine penicillin G plus dihydrostreptomycin, novobiocin, cloxacillin, or cephapirin were compared with no treatment. Composite colostrum samples were collected from each cow at first milking after parturition. Samples were screened for residues by Delvotest P. Colostrum samples positive by Delvotest also were tested by Bacillus stearothermophilus disc assay. Four of 186 colostrum samples from cows treated with antibiotics at drying off were positive for residues by Delvotest. Only one was confirmed positive by disc assay following heat treatment. All colostrum samples from 48 cows not treated were negative. Samples of first marketable milk also were collected. Over 96% of milk samples from cows treated at drying off and 100% of milk samples from cows not treated were negative for residues by Delvotest. If manufacturer's recommendations are followed, antibiotic residues in colostrum and milk following dry cow therapy with products in our study should not be a significant problem.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Comparison of lactoferrin content in colostrum between different cattle breeds.

Lactoferrin content of colostrum obtained from cows within 24 h after parturition was measured using a single radial immunodiffusion test and was compared among cows of two dairy breeds (Holstein-Friesian, Jersey) and two beef breeds (Japanese Black and Japanese Brown). Average lactoferrin content in colostrum of dairy breeds was 2 mg/ml and in colostrum of beef breeds was .5 mg/ml. Lactoferrin content of colostrum due to lactation number was also different among breeds. In dairy breeds, multiparous cows had lactoferrin content two to three times higher than that of primiparous cows; beef breeds showed no obvious differences between lactation years. Lactoferrin content also varied considerably within breed. In beef breeds, half the cows had values of nearly zero. Transferrin content in colostrum was fairly constant (.9 mg/ml) and was not as variable among and within breeds. There was no correlation between lactoferrin and transferrin contents in colostrum. Examination of cows lacking lactoferrin suggested that transferrin plays an important role as an iron carrier from a cow to her newborn calf.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Effect of curd forming of colostrum on absorption of immunoglobulin G in newborn calves.

Pooled colostrum from the first three milkings postpartum was used in two trials to determine the effect of abomasal curd forming on absorption of IgG in newborn calves. In Experiment 1, two groups of seven Friesland calves each received 1 h postpartum 1 L of untreated colostrum or colostrum treated with an oxalic acid-sodium hydroxide buffer to prevent coagulation. Calves were not allowed to suckle their dams and received colostrum in teat bottles. The same treatments were applied for Experiment 2, except that eight calves per group were used, and each calf received 2 L colostrum. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein 6 h postfeeding, and plasma IgG concentration was determined by a radial immunodiffusion technique. Plasma IgG concentration, estimated IgG absorption, and apparent efficiency of absorption 6 h postfeeding for the coagulable and noncoagulable treatments, respectively, were 11.6 and 6.6 mg/ml, 28.1 and 15.8 g/d, and 87.8 and 49.3% for Experiment 1; and 21.2 and 12.9 mg/ml, 48.6 and 34.2 g/d, and 60.8 and 42.8% for Experiment 2. It was concluded that the curd-forming ability of colostrum is an important factor in effective absorption of IgG by calves during the first 6 h postfeeding.

Absorption↗

PubMed1991

Management and production factors influencing immunoglobulin G1 concentration in colostrum from Holstein cows.

Immunoglobulin G1 concentration was measured in 919 first milking colostrums from Holstein cows during a 4-yr period on a commercial dairy farm. Sources of variation analyzed for effect on colostral IgG1 concentration were season of calving, lactation number, dry period length, intercalving interval, complete lactation milk and fat production, weight of first milking colostrum, and time from calving to first milking. Weight of first milking colostrum was the variable most highly correlated (negatively) with colostral IgG1 concentration (r = -.29). Weight of first milking colostrum and lactation number of the cow were the most significant discriminators between colostrum of low and high IgG1 concentration. The implications of these results for colostrum feeding management are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effects of mastitis on the volume and composition of colostrum produced by Holstein cows.

The effects of mastitis during the late nonlactating period on colostral volume and concentrations and total yields of immunoglobulin (Ig) G1, fat, and protein in colostrum were investigated using matched pairs of mammary glands from multiparous Holstein cows. Samples of mammary secretions were collected at approximately 14 and 7 d prepartum and within 3 h after calving. At each sampling time, the glands and secretions were examined for gross abnormalities, and the California Mastitis Test was performed. Duplicate secretion samples from each gland were cultured, and somatic cell count, pH, and fat and protein concentrations were determined. The volume of colostrum obtained at the first milking of each gland was quantified using a quarter milking device, and its IgG1 concentration was measured. Colostral volume from persistently infected mammary glands was lower than that from matched uninfected glands, as was the total mass of IgG1. However, infection did not alter IgG1 concentration in colostrum. Fat and protein percentages were lower in prepartum secretions but not in colostrum from infected glands. Persistent infection was associated with increased somatic cell count and pH of secretions at all sampling times, and California Mastitis Test scores were higher for colostrum from infected glands. The appearance of secretions was extremely variable, but the presence of flakes or clots in colostrum was associated with infection. We concluded that mastitis during the late nonlactating period alters mammary gland function but is unlikely to be an important contributor to the high rate of failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins in calves.

Animals↗