Assessment of Brix Refractometer-Based Colostrum Immunoglobulin G and PassiveImmunity in calf: Correlation to Neonatal Calf Diseases

The immunoglobulin G (IgG) found in bovine colostrum. This first milk aids in the prevention of a number of diseases of newborn calves. Using a Brix refractometer, the purpose of this study was to assess colostrum quality, passive immunity status, and their correlation to calf diseases. A total number of 134 animals (65 primiparous and 69 multiparous) were considered. Colostrum samples obtained and examined from the dams within two hours of giving birth. Calves immediately fed colostrum and during their first eight weeks of life, the calves evaluated for symptoms of Diarrhea, respiratory disease, and fever. Colostrum exhibiting a Brix reading of 23% or above considered good whereas serum Brix of 9% or above revealed significant passive IgG transmission. There was a strong positive association (R=0.013, p<0.01) between colostrum and serum Brix. As a result, poor passive transfer to calves had a higher frequency of diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia. The outcome of this study reveals that good quality colostrum feeding immediately after birth has a significant impact on calve immunity. Furthermore, this insight can be used to minimize the calf mortality in dairy farms.