Failure of Passive Transfer

The bovine placenta does not allow the transfer of large immunoglobulin molecules (antibodies). New-born calves, therefore, have almost no antibodies and relies solely on passive immunity transferred from colostrum.

Adequate transfer of antibodies is associated with short- and long-term health advantages by reducing pre- and post-weaning mortality due to infectious disease and increasing daily gain, feed efficiency, fertility, and milk production in the first and second lactation. FPT therefore is responsible for a higher level of disease, longer rearing period and increased use of antibiotics in calves.

When we discuss colostrum, we think about the 3 Q’s

QUICKLY

The first 4-12 hours is your time window to get successful passive immunity. After 12 hours the ability of the calf’s small intestine to absorb antibodies rapidly begins to decline and is stopped completely at 24 hours.

QUANTITY

Feed calves 4-6 litres of colostrum in the first 4-12 hours of life (this can be over multiple feeds).

QUALITY

The higher level of antibodies within the colostrum, the better quality it is. Test colostrum quality with a Brix refractometer, >22% = ‘GOLD’ colostrum, below this and you will need to feed more colostrum to get the same level of antibodies. DO NOT mix good with bad!!

Here are a few other management tips to help you get the best passive immunity:

CLEANLINESS – is EVERYTHING!!

Faeces is the burden of your lives; it is the main source of disease in calves, and it also prevents uptake of colostrum through the small intestine.

STORAGE

Refrigerate collected colostrum between 2-4°C. A preservative can be added such as potassium sorbate at a concentration of 1% for 50% volume of solution.

METHOD

Stomach tubing is an easy way to be certain a calf has received adequate levels of colostrum. (If you or any of your staff are unsure/lack confidence on how to stomach tube a calf, just let us know and we can do some staff training to help.)

VACCINATION

Helps you achieve that ‘gold’ colostrum, as it creates specific antibodies against the key diseases that affect calves in the first few weeks of life (Rotavirus, Coronavirus and E. coli).

Good news is, we can test for failure of passive transfer and it’s easy as! It can be done during debudding, we simply take bloods from 12 calves who are between 12 hours to 7 days old. You receive the results the same day and changes can be seen in days! You don’t know, if you don’t have the information and FPT bloods are an incredibly useful tool to get that information.

For further advice or any questions, please give us a call.