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Short Communication: Low Levels of Colostral Immunoglobulins in Some Dairy Cows with Placental Retention
J. Dairy Sci. 84:389–391 American Dairy Science Association, 2001.
Short Communication: Low Levels of Colostral Immunoglobulins in Some Dairy Cows with Placental Retention V. Lona-D and C. Romero-R.
Departamento de Biologi´a de la Reproduccio´n, Universidad Auto´noma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Box 55-535, Me´xico 09340
ABSTRACT A test with 27 Holstein cows divided in two groups was conducted to evaluate the effects of placental retention (PR) on the colostral components. Fat and total protein content were similar in both groups, but immunoglobulins in cows with PR (7.58 ± 6.72 g/L) were significantly lower than in cows without PR (15.13 ± 8.56 g/L). In contrast, casein levels were higher in cows with PR (38.61 ± 17.05 g/L vs. 27.60 ± 12.71 g/L) compared with cows without PR. (Key words: colostral immunoglobulins, placental retention, dairy cows, colostrum) Abbreviation key: PR = placental retention. Because the syndesmochorial placenta of the cow does not allow the transfer of immunoglobulins in utero, calves are born almost agammaglobulinemic (Roberts and Anthony, 1994; Steven and Samuel, 1979). Because colostrum is the only source of immunity to newborn calves, the lack of colostrum dramatically increases the risk of disease and mortality (Clover and Zarcower, 1980; Larson, 1992; Radostits and Acres, 1980). Bovine colostrum consists of a mixture of lacteal secretions and constituents of blood serum, notably Ig and other serum proteins, that accumulate in the mammary gland during the prepartum dry period (Foley and Otterby, 1978). Colostrum contains proteins, essential and nonessential AA and fatty acids, lactose, vitamins and minerals as well as nonnutrient substances, such as Ig, peptides, peptide hormones, growth factors, cytokines, steroid hormones, thyroxine, nucleotides, polyamines, and enzymes (Blum and Hammon, 1999). Many factors may influence the amount of Ig absorbed by newborn calves, but availability of these proteins and ability of the intestinal epithelial cells to absorb intact macromolecules determines rates of absoption. The Ig absorption of newborn gut decreases rapidly during the first 36 h (Matte et al., 1982), and
the available Ig mass within this time may restrict the amount of proteins reaching the peripheral circulation. The volume of colostrum fed to calves and colostrum Ig concentration determine the mass of Ig consumed. Several factors influence the concentration of Ig in the colostrum of dairy cows, including breed (Guy et al., 1994), lactation number (Shearer et al., 1992), time after parturition (Olson et al., 1981), volume of colostrum produced (Prichett et al., 1991), vaccination programs (Quigley and Drewry, 1998), and annual seasonal variations (Shearer et al., 1992). However, other factors can be considered. Anecdotal information from farmers indicates that calves from dairy cows with placental retention (PR) that ingest colostrum only from their mothers are prone to exhibit a higher incidence of respiratory and digestive diseases. Colostrum quality could be associated to these diseases; therefore, we decided to investigate the possible association between PR and colostrum composition in dairy cows. Cows and Milk Sampling Multiparous Holstein cows were housed in barnyards within 20 m2 of floor space per animal and were fed with corn silage (8 kg d−1) and a concentrate prepared with corn flake byproducts, 33%; cornmeal, 33%; soybean meal, 23%; and wheat bran 11% (6.4 kg d−1); total nutrients (DM basis) were 13% CP and 1.34 Mcal kg−1 of net energy. Twenty-seven samples of first-milking colostrum were taken from cows with (n = 14) and without (n = 13) placental retention (i.e., failure to expel fetal membranes within the first 12 h after delivery). The samples were immediately diluted with H2O2 (1:100, vol/vol). All samples were stored at –20°C. The cows used in this experiment were cared and treated according to the “Ley de Proteccio´n a los Animales para el Distrito Federal” (D.D.F, 1981) with principles similar to the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Separations and Determinations of Colostrum Components
Received July 7, 2000. Accepted October 9, 2000. Corresponding author: C. Romero-R; e-mail: [email protected].
Fat, total protein, casein, and Ig fraction were separated and determined in the colostrum samples; casein
389
390
LONA AND ROMERO Table 1. Colostrum composition in dairy cows with and without placental retention (PR). Colostral components
With PR X ± S D (g/L)
Fat Total Protein Immunoglobulins Casein
79.2 97.27 7.58 38.61
± ± ± ±
42.3 (n = 13) 48.78 (n = 13) 6.72 (n = 11) 17.05 (n = 10)
and Ig fraction were only determined in 22 samples. Colostrum samples were centrifuged for 2 h at 3000 × g at 4°C to obtain the weight of the fatty layer (Butler and Maxwell, 1972). In the aqueous phase, total protein was estimated by modification of Biuret method by Copeland (1994), with a standard of BSA. The casein precipitation method was modified by lowering pH to 4.6 with acetic acid and incubation for 1 h at room temperature followed by a centrifugation at 15,000 × g, 30 min, at 4°C ( modified from Butler and Maxwell, 1972). This supernatant “colostral whey” was precipitated with 100% ammonium sulfate to obtain the Ig fraction. Immunoglobulins were obtained by a second precipitation in one-third saturated ammonium sulfate (Butler et al., 1972). Casein and immunoglobulins samples were analyzed for protein content following the Lowry method modified by Copeland (1994), which includes homologous standards obtained by purification, and corroborated by standard parallel curves with BSA (Sigma A2153). Results are expressed as the mean ( standard deviation. Statistical analyses include Student’s t test (P < 0.05; Friedman, 1991). Total protein and fat colostrum were similar in cows with or without PR. However, the level of immunoglobulins in cows with PR was significantly lower, less than 50%, compared with animals without PR. In contrast, casein concentrations were highest (P < 0.05) in animals with PR than in animals without PR (Table 1). Colostral immunoglobulin concentration frequency distribution in cows with PR revealed that 45% of these animals (5/ 11) were substantially deficient in these proteins compared with cows without PR (Figure 1). These results indicate that some cows with PR have low levels of Ig in colostrum. Bovine colostrum normally contains 50 to 150 mg of Ig/ml, of which IgG comprises 85 to 90%, IgM about 7%, and IgA about 5%. The IgG1 accounts for about 80 to 90% of the IgG (Larson et al., 1980). Holstein cows have generally lower Ig colostrum concentration in relation to other breeds (Guy et al., 1994; Tyler et al., 1999). However, Ig concentration is variable; for example, several authors have reported ranges from nearly 0 to 120 mg of Ig/ml of colostrum. Pritchett et al. (1991) reported an average of 48.2 mg/ ml of IgG, Guy et al. (1994), reported 14.4 ± 4.0 mg/ml Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 84, No. 2, 2001
Without PR X ± S D (g/L) 97.2 97.2 15.13 27.60
± ± ± ±
58.1 (n = 13) 58.1 (n = 13) 8.56 (n = 11) 12.71 (n = 12)
P in Student’s t 0.187 0.078 0.016 0.049
of IgG1 in colostrum of Holstein cows, and Tyler et al. (1999) reported 56 g/L of IgG. The Ig concentration in cows without PR in this study (15.13 ± 8.56 mg/ml) is similar to the data reported by Guy et al. (1994). Morin et al. (1997) showed that colostral Ig concentration was an important variable in determining the Ig concentration in serum in calves. Kruse (1970) suggested that dairy calves should consume at least 100 g of Ig mass during the first 12 h of life to ensure adequate Ig serum concentration and passive protection against diseases. However, this quantity is difficult to reach if colostrum has low concentrations of Ig. In this study, newborns from cows without PR needed to consume at least 3 L of colostrum within the first 2 h of birth, followed by an additional 3 L feed within a total of 12 h of birth to reach the Ig mass suggested by Kruse (1970). In contrast, cows with PR showed insufficiencies in colostral Ig concentration (7.58 ± 6.72 mg/ml), likely to prevent the transfer of the critical mass of Ig to their calves. The concentrations of fat and total protein were similar between both groups. However, casein was significantly higher in cows with PR than in cows without PR. The decrease in immunoglobulins and the increase in casein in cows with PR shows that measurement of
Figure 1. Immunoglobulin concentrations frequency distribution in cows with and without placental retention (PR). About half of the cows that presented PR exhibited immunoglobulins level equal or below 5 g/L, 80% of the cows had concentrations below 15 g/L. Any cows without PR presented Ig level below 5 g/L.
COLOSTRAL IMMUGLOBULINS IN COWS WITH PLACENTAL RETENTION
total protein does not necessarily reflect Ig concentration of colostrum. Ganguly et al. (1980) showed the synergistic action of prolactin and cortisol in the stimulate casein gene expression, producing an increase in casein concentration in the mammary gland. In addition, with hormonal induction of lactation, the utilization of dexamethasone produces a decrease in the transfer of IgG1 to the colostrum. Dawe et al. (1982) showed that ewes treated with dexamethasone on d 142 to 145 of gestation also showed reduced colostral Ig concentrations. Some studies suggest a relationship between increases in cortisol and PR. Thus, the induction of parturition with glucocorticoids significantly increases the incidence of PR (Bellows et al., 1994). Cortisol concentration increases 5 d before parturition in cows destined to retain fetal membranes, in relation to levels in cows with normal parturition (Peter and Bosu, 1987). Increases in cortisol during the peripartum period may explain the decrease in Ig concentration, and increased casein in colostrum of cows with PR. Therefore, the present results support the hypothesis that corticosteroids participate in the association between the three events: PR, colostral Ig decrease, and casein increase. Despite its productive and economic negative impact, PR has not been considered among the factors that may cause colostral Ig alterations in dairy cows. We propose that colostrum in some cows with PR can be insufficient for the transfer of passive immunity to newborn calves. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Carlos Valverde and Carlos Caldero´ n for their critical revision, M. en C. Sara Camargo and Irene Pomar Montes de Oca for their transcript revision, and M. en C. Antonio Villalobos for sample recollection. REFERENCES 1 Bellows, R. A., R. E. Short, and R. B. Staigmiller. 1994. Exercise and induced-parturition effects on dystocia and rebreeding in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 72:1667–1674. 2 Blum, J. W., and H. Hammon. 1999. Endocrine and metabolic aspects in milk-fed calves. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 17:219– 230. 3 Butler, J. E., C. A. Kiddy, C. S. Pierce, and C. A. Rock. 1972. Quantitative changes associated with calving in the levels of bovine immunoglobulins in selected body fluids. Can. J. Comp. Med. 36:234–242. 4 Butler, J. E., and C. F. Maxwell. 1972. Preparation of bovine immunoglobulins and free secretory component and their specific antisera. J. Dairy Sci. 55:151–164. 5 Clover, C. K., and A. Zarkower. 1980. Immunologic responses in colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived calves. Am. J. Vet. Res. 41:1002–1007.
391
6 Copeland R. A. 1994. Methods for protein quantitation. Pages 39– 58 in Methods of Protein Analysis: a Practical Guide to Laboratory Protocols. Chapman & Hall, New York, NY. 7 Dawe S. T., A. J. Husband, and C. M. Langford. 1982. Effects of induction of parturition in ewes with dexamethasone or oestrogen on concentrations of immunoglobulins in colostrum, and absorption of immunoglobulins by lambs. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 35:223–229. 8 Departamento del Distrito Federal. 1981. Ley de proteccio´ n a los ´ exico animales para el Distrito Federal. Diario Oficial M 364:52–55. 9 Foley, J. A., and D. E. Otterby. 1978. Availability, storage, treatment, composition, and feeding value of surplus colostrum: A review. J. Dairy Sci. 61:1033–1060. 10 Friedman, P. 1991 GB-STAT Ver. 3.0 Computer Aided Statistics & Graphics Tutorial/Manual. GB-STAT, Silver Spring, MD. 11 Guy, M. A., T. B. McFadden, D. C. Cockrell, and T. E. Besser. 1994. Regulation of colostrum formation in beef and dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 77:3002–3007. 12 Ganguly, R., N. Ganguly, N. M. Mehta, and M. R. Banerjee. 1980. Absolute requirement of glucocorticoid for expression of the casein gene in the presence of prolactin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:6003–6006. 13 Kruse, V. 1970. Absorption of immunoglobulin from colostrum in newborn calves. Anim Prod. 12:627–638. 14 Larson, B. L. 1992. Immunoglobulins of the mammary secretions. Pages 231–254 in Advanced Dairy Chemistry. Vol. 1: Proteins. P. F. Fox, ed. Elsevier Science Publishers LTD, Cambridge, Great Britain. 15 Larson, B. L., H. L. Heary, Jr., and J. E. Devery. 1980 Immunoglobulin production and transport by the mammary gland. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1765–1770. 16 Matte, J. J., C. L. Girard, J. R. Seoane, and G. J. Brisson. 1982. Absorption of colostral immunoglobulin G in the newborn dairy calf. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1765–1770. 17 Morin, D. E., G. C. McCoy, and W. L. Hurley. 1997. Effects of quality, quantity, and timing of colostrum feeding and addition of a dried colostrum supplement on immunoglobulin G1 absorption in Holstein Bull calves. J. Dairy Sci. 80:747–753. 18 Olson, D. P., L. F. Woodard, R. C. Bull, and D. O. Everson. 1981. Immunoglobulin levels in serum and colostral whey of proteinmetabolisable energy restricted beef cows. Res. Vet. Sci. 30:49–52 19 Peter, A. T., and W.T.K. Bosu. 1987. Peripartal endocrine changes associated with retained placenta in dairy cows. Theriogenology 28:383–394. 20 Pritchett, L. C., C. C. Gay, T. E. Besser, and D. D. Hancock. 1991. Management and production factors influencing immunoglobulin G1 concentration in colostrum from Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 74:2336–2341. 21 Quigley, J. D., and J. J. Drewry. 1998. Nutrient and immunity transfer from cow to calf pre- and postcalving. J. Dairy Sci. 81:2779–2790. 22 Radostits, M., and S. D. Acres. 1980. The prevention and control of epidemic of acute undifferentiated diarrhea of beef calves in Western Canada. Can. Vet. J. 21:243–249. 23 Roberts, R. M., and R. V. Anthony. 1994. Molecular biology of trophectoderm and placental hormones. Pages 395–440 in Molecular Biology of the Female Reproductive System. J. K. Findlay, ed. Acad. Press, San Diego, CA. 24 Shearer, J., H. O. Mohammed, J. S. Brenneman, and T. Q. Tran. 1992. Factors associated with concentrations of immunoglobulins in colostrum at the first milking pos-calving. Prev. Vet. Med. 14:143–154. 25 Steven, D. H., and C. A. Samuel. 1979. The anatomy of placental transfer. Pages 1–44 in Placental Transfer. Geoffrey Chamberlain and Andrew Wilkinson, ed. Pitman Medical Publishing, Tunbrige Wells, England. 26 Tyler, J. W., B. J. Steevens, D. E. Hostetler, J. M. Holle, J. L. Denbigh. 1999. Colostral immunoglobulin concentrations in Holstein and Guernsey cows. Am. J. Vet. Res. 60:1136–1139.
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 84, No. 2, 2001
Short Communication: Low Levels of Colostral Immunoglobulins in Some Dairy Cows with Placental Retention V. Lona-D and C. Romero-R.
Departamento de Biologi´a de la Reproduccio´n, Universidad Auto´noma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Box 55-535, Me´xico 09340
ABSTRACT A test with 27 Holstein cows divided in two groups was conducted to evaluate the effects of placental retention (PR) on the colostral components. Fat and total protein content were similar in both groups, but immunoglobulins in cows with PR (7.58 ± 6.72 g/L) were significantly lower than in cows without PR (15.13 ± 8.56 g/L). In contrast, casein levels were higher in cows with PR (38.61 ± 17.05 g/L vs. 27.60 ± 12.71 g/L) compared with cows without PR. (Key words: colostral immunoglobulins, placental retention, dairy cows, colostrum) Abbreviation key: PR = placental retention. Because the syndesmochorial placenta of the cow does not allow the transfer of immunoglobulins in utero, calves are born almost agammaglobulinemic (Roberts and Anthony, 1994; Steven and Samuel, 1979). Because colostrum is the only source of immunity to newborn calves, the lack of colostrum dramatically increases the risk of disease and mortality (Clover and Zarcower, 1980; Larson, 1992; Radostits and Acres, 1980). Bovine colostrum consists of a mixture of lacteal secretions and constituents of blood serum, notably Ig and other serum proteins, that accumulate in the mammary gland during the prepartum dry period (Foley and Otterby, 1978). Colostrum contains proteins, essential and nonessential AA and fatty acids, lactose, vitamins and minerals as well as nonnutrient substances, such as Ig, peptides, peptide hormones, growth factors, cytokines, steroid hormones, thyroxine, nucleotides, polyamines, and enzymes (Blum and Hammon, 1999). Many factors may influence the amount of Ig absorbed by newborn calves, but availability of these proteins and ability of the intestinal epithelial cells to absorb intact macromolecules determines rates of absoption. The Ig absorption of newborn gut decreases rapidly during the first 36 h (Matte et al., 1982), and
the available Ig mass within this time may restrict the amount of proteins reaching the peripheral circulation. The volume of colostrum fed to calves and colostrum Ig concentration determine the mass of Ig consumed. Several factors influence the concentration of Ig in the colostrum of dairy cows, including breed (Guy et al., 1994), lactation number (Shearer et al., 1992), time after parturition (Olson et al., 1981), volume of colostrum produced (Prichett et al., 1991), vaccination programs (Quigley and Drewry, 1998), and annual seasonal variations (Shearer et al., 1992). However, other factors can be considered. Anecdotal information from farmers indicates that calves from dairy cows with placental retention (PR) that ingest colostrum only from their mothers are prone to exhibit a higher incidence of respiratory and digestive diseases. Colostrum quality could be associated to these diseases; therefore, we decided to investigate the possible association between PR and colostrum composition in dairy cows. Cows and Milk Sampling Multiparous Holstein cows were housed in barnyards within 20 m2 of floor space per animal and were fed with corn silage (8 kg d−1) and a concentrate prepared with corn flake byproducts, 33%; cornmeal, 33%; soybean meal, 23%; and wheat bran 11% (6.4 kg d−1); total nutrients (DM basis) were 13% CP and 1.34 Mcal kg−1 of net energy. Twenty-seven samples of first-milking colostrum were taken from cows with (n = 14) and without (n = 13) placental retention (i.e., failure to expel fetal membranes within the first 12 h after delivery). The samples were immediately diluted with H2O2 (1:100, vol/vol). All samples were stored at –20°C. The cows used in this experiment were cared and treated according to the “Ley de Proteccio´n a los Animales para el Distrito Federal” (D.D.F, 1981) with principles similar to the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Separations and Determinations of Colostrum Components
Received July 7, 2000. Accepted October 9, 2000. Corresponding author: C. Romero-R; e-mail: [email protected].
Fat, total protein, casein, and Ig fraction were separated and determined in the colostrum samples; casein
389
390
LONA AND ROMERO Table 1. Colostrum composition in dairy cows with and without placental retention (PR). Colostral components
With PR X ± S D (g/L)
Fat Total Protein Immunoglobulins Casein
79.2 97.27 7.58 38.61
± ± ± ±
42.3 (n = 13) 48.78 (n = 13) 6.72 (n = 11) 17.05 (n = 10)
and Ig fraction were only determined in 22 samples. Colostrum samples were centrifuged for 2 h at 3000 × g at 4°C to obtain the weight of the fatty layer (Butler and Maxwell, 1972). In the aqueous phase, total protein was estimated by modification of Biuret method by Copeland (1994), with a standard of BSA. The casein precipitation method was modified by lowering pH to 4.6 with acetic acid and incubation for 1 h at room temperature followed by a centrifugation at 15,000 × g, 30 min, at 4°C ( modified from Butler and Maxwell, 1972). This supernatant “colostral whey” was precipitated with 100% ammonium sulfate to obtain the Ig fraction. Immunoglobulins were obtained by a second precipitation in one-third saturated ammonium sulfate (Butler et al., 1972). Casein and immunoglobulins samples were analyzed for protein content following the Lowry method modified by Copeland (1994), which includes homologous standards obtained by purification, and corroborated by standard parallel curves with BSA (Sigma A2153). Results are expressed as the mean ( standard deviation. Statistical analyses include Student’s t test (P < 0.05; Friedman, 1991). Total protein and fat colostrum were similar in cows with or without PR. However, the level of immunoglobulins in cows with PR was significantly lower, less than 50%, compared with animals without PR. In contrast, casein concentrations were highest (P < 0.05) in animals with PR than in animals without PR (Table 1). Colostral immunoglobulin concentration frequency distribution in cows with PR revealed that 45% of these animals (5/ 11) were substantially deficient in these proteins compared with cows without PR (Figure 1). These results indicate that some cows with PR have low levels of Ig in colostrum. Bovine colostrum normally contains 50 to 150 mg of Ig/ml, of which IgG comprises 85 to 90%, IgM about 7%, and IgA about 5%. The IgG1 accounts for about 80 to 90% of the IgG (Larson et al., 1980). Holstein cows have generally lower Ig colostrum concentration in relation to other breeds (Guy et al., 1994; Tyler et al., 1999). However, Ig concentration is variable; for example, several authors have reported ranges from nearly 0 to 120 mg of Ig/ml of colostrum. Pritchett et al. (1991) reported an average of 48.2 mg/ ml of IgG, Guy et al. (1994), reported 14.4 ± 4.0 mg/ml Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 84, No. 2, 2001
Without PR X ± S D (g/L) 97.2 97.2 15.13 27.60
± ± ± ±
58.1 (n = 13) 58.1 (n = 13) 8.56 (n = 11) 12.71 (n = 12)
P in Student’s t 0.187 0.078 0.016 0.049
of IgG1 in colostrum of Holstein cows, and Tyler et al. (1999) reported 56 g/L of IgG. The Ig concentration in cows without PR in this study (15.13 ± 8.56 mg/ml) is similar to the data reported by Guy et al. (1994). Morin et al. (1997) showed that colostral Ig concentration was an important variable in determining the Ig concentration in serum in calves. Kruse (1970) suggested that dairy calves should consume at least 100 g of Ig mass during the first 12 h of life to ensure adequate Ig serum concentration and passive protection against diseases. However, this quantity is difficult to reach if colostrum has low concentrations of Ig. In this study, newborns from cows without PR needed to consume at least 3 L of colostrum within the first 2 h of birth, followed by an additional 3 L feed within a total of 12 h of birth to reach the Ig mass suggested by Kruse (1970). In contrast, cows with PR showed insufficiencies in colostral Ig concentration (7.58 ± 6.72 mg/ml), likely to prevent the transfer of the critical mass of Ig to their calves. The concentrations of fat and total protein were similar between both groups. However, casein was significantly higher in cows with PR than in cows without PR. The decrease in immunoglobulins and the increase in casein in cows with PR shows that measurement of
Figure 1. Immunoglobulin concentrations frequency distribution in cows with and without placental retention (PR). About half of the cows that presented PR exhibited immunoglobulins level equal or below 5 g/L, 80% of the cows had concentrations below 15 g/L. Any cows without PR presented Ig level below 5 g/L.
COLOSTRAL IMMUGLOBULINS IN COWS WITH PLACENTAL RETENTION
total protein does not necessarily reflect Ig concentration of colostrum. Ganguly et al. (1980) showed the synergistic action of prolactin and cortisol in the stimulate casein gene expression, producing an increase in casein concentration in the mammary gland. In addition, with hormonal induction of lactation, the utilization of dexamethasone produces a decrease in the transfer of IgG1 to the colostrum. Dawe et al. (1982) showed that ewes treated with dexamethasone on d 142 to 145 of gestation also showed reduced colostral Ig concentrations. Some studies suggest a relationship between increases in cortisol and PR. Thus, the induction of parturition with glucocorticoids significantly increases the incidence of PR (Bellows et al., 1994). Cortisol concentration increases 5 d before parturition in cows destined to retain fetal membranes, in relation to levels in cows with normal parturition (Peter and Bosu, 1987). Increases in cortisol during the peripartum period may explain the decrease in Ig concentration, and increased casein in colostrum of cows with PR. Therefore, the present results support the hypothesis that corticosteroids participate in the association between the three events: PR, colostral Ig decrease, and casein increase. Despite its productive and economic negative impact, PR has not been considered among the factors that may cause colostral Ig alterations in dairy cows. We propose that colostrum in some cows with PR can be insufficient for the transfer of passive immunity to newborn calves. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Carlos Valverde and Carlos Caldero´ n for their critical revision, M. en C. Sara Camargo and Irene Pomar Montes de Oca for their transcript revision, and M. en C. Antonio Villalobos for sample recollection. REFERENCES 1 Bellows, R. A., R. E. Short, and R. B. Staigmiller. 1994. Exercise and induced-parturition effects on dystocia and rebreeding in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 72:1667–1674. 2 Blum, J. W., and H. Hammon. 1999. Endocrine and metabolic aspects in milk-fed calves. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 17:219– 230. 3 Butler, J. E., C. A. Kiddy, C. S. Pierce, and C. A. Rock. 1972. Quantitative changes associated with calving in the levels of bovine immunoglobulins in selected body fluids. Can. J. Comp. Med. 36:234–242. 4 Butler, J. E., and C. F. Maxwell. 1972. Preparation of bovine immunoglobulins and free secretory component and their specific antisera. J. Dairy Sci. 55:151–164. 5 Clover, C. K., and A. Zarkower. 1980. Immunologic responses in colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived calves. Am. J. Vet. Res. 41:1002–1007.
391
6 Copeland R. A. 1994. Methods for protein quantitation. Pages 39– 58 in Methods of Protein Analysis: a Practical Guide to Laboratory Protocols. Chapman & Hall, New York, NY. 7 Dawe S. T., A. J. Husband, and C. M. Langford. 1982. Effects of induction of parturition in ewes with dexamethasone or oestrogen on concentrations of immunoglobulins in colostrum, and absorption of immunoglobulins by lambs. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 35:223–229. 8 Departamento del Distrito Federal. 1981. Ley de proteccio´ n a los ´ exico animales para el Distrito Federal. Diario Oficial M 364:52–55. 9 Foley, J. A., and D. E. Otterby. 1978. Availability, storage, treatment, composition, and feeding value of surplus colostrum: A review. J. Dairy Sci. 61:1033–1060. 10 Friedman, P. 1991 GB-STAT Ver. 3.0 Computer Aided Statistics & Graphics Tutorial/Manual. GB-STAT, Silver Spring, MD. 11 Guy, M. A., T. B. McFadden, D. C. Cockrell, and T. E. Besser. 1994. Regulation of colostrum formation in beef and dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 77:3002–3007. 12 Ganguly, R., N. Ganguly, N. M. Mehta, and M. R. Banerjee. 1980. Absolute requirement of glucocorticoid for expression of the casein gene in the presence of prolactin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:6003–6006. 13 Kruse, V. 1970. Absorption of immunoglobulin from colostrum in newborn calves. Anim Prod. 12:627–638. 14 Larson, B. L. 1992. Immunoglobulins of the mammary secretions. Pages 231–254 in Advanced Dairy Chemistry. Vol. 1: Proteins. P. F. Fox, ed. Elsevier Science Publishers LTD, Cambridge, Great Britain. 15 Larson, B. L., H. L. Heary, Jr., and J. E. Devery. 1980 Immunoglobulin production and transport by the mammary gland. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1765–1770. 16 Matte, J. J., C. L. Girard, J. R. Seoane, and G. J. Brisson. 1982. Absorption of colostral immunoglobulin G in the newborn dairy calf. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1765–1770. 17 Morin, D. E., G. C. McCoy, and W. L. Hurley. 1997. Effects of quality, quantity, and timing of colostrum feeding and addition of a dried colostrum supplement on immunoglobulin G1 absorption in Holstein Bull calves. J. Dairy Sci. 80:747–753. 18 Olson, D. P., L. F. Woodard, R. C. Bull, and D. O. Everson. 1981. Immunoglobulin levels in serum and colostral whey of proteinmetabolisable energy restricted beef cows. Res. Vet. Sci. 30:49–52 19 Peter, A. T., and W.T.K. Bosu. 1987. Peripartal endocrine changes associated with retained placenta in dairy cows. Theriogenology 28:383–394. 20 Pritchett, L. C., C. C. Gay, T. E. Besser, and D. D. Hancock. 1991. Management and production factors influencing immunoglobulin G1 concentration in colostrum from Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 74:2336–2341. 21 Quigley, J. D., and J. J. Drewry. 1998. Nutrient and immunity transfer from cow to calf pre- and postcalving. J. Dairy Sci. 81:2779–2790. 22 Radostits, M., and S. D. Acres. 1980. The prevention and control of epidemic of acute undifferentiated diarrhea of beef calves in Western Canada. Can. Vet. J. 21:243–249. 23 Roberts, R. M., and R. V. Anthony. 1994. Molecular biology of trophectoderm and placental hormones. Pages 395–440 in Molecular Biology of the Female Reproductive System. J. K. Findlay, ed. Acad. Press, San Diego, CA. 24 Shearer, J., H. O. Mohammed, J. S. Brenneman, and T. Q. Tran. 1992. Factors associated with concentrations of immunoglobulins in colostrum at the first milking pos-calving. Prev. Vet. Med. 14:143–154. 25 Steven, D. H., and C. A. Samuel. 1979. The anatomy of placental transfer. Pages 1–44 in Placental Transfer. Geoffrey Chamberlain and Andrew Wilkinson, ed. Pitman Medical Publishing, Tunbrige Wells, England. 26 Tyler, J. W., B. J. Steevens, D. E. Hostetler, J. M. Holle, J. L. Denbigh. 1999. Colostral immunoglobulin concentrations in Holstein and Guernsey cows. Am. J. Vet. Res. 60:1136–1139.
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 84, No. 2, 2001