Effects of the ingestion of whole colostrum or cell-free colostrum on the capacity of leukocytes in newborn calves to stimulate or respond in one-way mixed leukocyte cultures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of colostral cells on the ability of neonatal leukocytes to respond in a mixed leukocyte response (MLR) as a means of evaluating specific immune responsiveness. ANIMALS: 10 Holstein calves, their respective dams, and 10 unrelated adult Holstein cows. PROCEDURE: Soon after birth, their calves were fed maternal whole colostrum or colostrum after cells were removed by centrifugation. Responses for leukocytes obtained from calves during the first 5 weeks after birth, their dams, and unrelated cows were measured by use of 1-way MLR as an indicator of immune development. An internal control treatment, proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated with Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB), was also measured. RESULTS: Transfer of colostral leukocytes had a significant effect on the MLR and SEB-induced response in calves. Calves receiving whole colostrum had enhanced responses to maternal and unrelated leukocytes 24 hours after ingestion of colostrum. These responses decreased quickly, indicating direct modulation of the neonatal immune response. Calves receiving whole colostrum effectively stimulated the MLR by 24 hours after ingestion of colostrum. In contrast, calves receiving acellular colostrum did not effectively stimulate the MLR until 2 to 3 weeks after birth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ingestion of maternal colostral leukocytes immediately after birth stimulates development of the neonatal immune system. These maternal leukocytes enhance development of antigen-presenting capacity as indicated by their ability to stimulate the MLR and SEB response. The influence of ingested maternal cells on neonatal immunity was also indicated by a reduction in reactivity of neonatal cells to maternal alloantigens.     

Influence of colostral quality on serum proteins in dairy calves raised in smallholder farms in Thailand

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of colostral quality on serum proteins in calves. Samples were collected from visited farms in Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Kamphaeng Saen and Nong Pho Animal Hospital. In total, 35 dairy farms contributed 80 dams and calves’ samples. Colostrum samples from 80 dairy cows and blood samples from their calves were taken to evaluate colostral immunoglobulins (Ig) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and calf serum protein and IgG. Total colostral Ig, colostral and serum IgG, and serum protein were measured by a colostrometer, single radial immunodiffusion, and refractrometer, respectively. Immunoglobulin G and serum protein concentrations increased in the 1st day after birth, and maximum concentrations were seen in the 2nd day and then decreased in the 7th and 14th days. Average?±?SD total colostral IgG concentrations at calving date and at 1 and 2 days after calving were 93.85?±?33.89, 37.11?±?23.51, and 17.23?±?9.4 mg/mL, respectively. The profile of total Ig and IgG concentrations in colostrum had a similar pattern, with the maximum concentrations obtained in calving date and rapidly decreased thereafter. Low IgG concentrations were seen in the 7th and 14th day after calving. The calves that were fed with high quality colostrum had higher serum protein at 1 day of age, 7.49?±?1.01 g/dL, than calves fed with low quality colostrum, 6.40?±?0.86 g/dL (P?<?0.01). The increase in serum protein after first colostrum feeding of high and low quality colostrum was 1.55?±?1.07 and 0.81?±?0.69 g/dL, respectively (P?=?0.02).     

Decreased periparturient transmission of bovine leukosis virus in colostrum-fed calves

BACKGROUND: The relation between calf bovine leukosis virus (BLV) infection status and colostrum ingestion is unclear. Two conclusions have been drawn from previous studies. One suggests that colostrum ingestion transmits BLV to neonatal calves. The second suggests that colostral antibodies are protective. HYPOTHESIS: Colostrum from BLV-positive cattle is protective in naturally exposed calves. ANIMALS: Twelve colostrum-deprived Holstein calves and 20 colostrum-fed Holstein calves born to BLV-infected cows. METHODS: Prospective study. Colostrum-deprived calves were tested weekly by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for BLV antibody and provirus for 12 weeks or until the animal became positive for BLV infection. Colostrum-fed calves were fed colostrum derived from BLV-positive cows. Thereafter, ELISA and PCR tests for BLV antibody and provirus were performed every other week until 2 consecutive negative ELISA tests or 1 positive PCR test was achieved. The proportion of calves that converted to BLV-positive status was calculated for each group and compared between groups by using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Four of 12 colostrum-deprived calves (33%) became BLV positive, whereas 0 of 20 colostrum-fed calves (0%) became BLV positive. The proportion of calves that became infected was significantly higher in the colostrum-deprived group (P = .014). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Calves born to BLV-positive cows are exposed during parturition, and a proportion of these calves will become infected with BLV. Administration of colostrum from BLV-positive cows greatly decreases the risk of infection.     

Effect of colostrum administration by use of oroesophageal intubation on serum IgG concentrations in Holstein bull calves

OBJECTIVE: To determine the amount of colostral IgG required for adequate passive transfer in calves administered colostrum by use of oroesophageal intubation and evaluate the impact of other factors on passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves. ANIMALS: 120 Holstein bull calves. PROCEDURES: Calves were randomly assigned to specific treatment groups on the basis of volume of colostrum administered and age of calf at administration of colostrum. Colostrum was administered once by oroesophageal intubation. Equal numbers of calves received 1, 2, 3, or 4 L of colostrum, and equal numbers of calves received colostrum at 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, or 22 hours after birth. Serum samples were obtained from calves 48 hours after birth for IgG determination by radial immunodiffusion assay. Effects of factors affecting transfer of colostral immunoglobulins were determined by use of a stepwise multiple regression model and logistic regression models. RESULTS: A minimum of 153 g of colostral IgG was required for optimum colostral transfer of immunoglobulins when calves were fed 3L of colostrum at 2 hours after birth. Substantially larger IgG intakes were required by calves fed colostrum > 2 hours after birth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Feeding 100 g of colostral IgG by oroesophageal intubation was insufficient for adequate passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins. At least 150 to 200 g of colostral IgG was required for adequate passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins. Use of an oroesophageal tube for administration of 3 L of colostrum to calves within 2 hours after birth is recommended.     

Antibody responses following administration of a Cryptosporidium parvum rCP15/60 vaccine to pregnant cattle

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic Apicomplexa-protozoan pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea in mammals worldwide. Globally, C. parvum is ubiquitous on dairy operations and is the pathogen most commonly diagnosed in association with calf diarrhea. Here, we describe the antibody response in 20 pregnant cows to a recombinant C. parvum oocyst surface protein (rCP15/60) vaccine compared with 20 controls, and the antibody response in 19 calves fed the rCP15/60-immune colostrum from these vaccinated cows compared with 20 control calves. Cows vaccinated with rCP15/60 produced a significantly greater antibody response compared to controls (p<0.0001) and this response was strongly associated with the subsequent level of colostral antibody (r=0.82, p<0.0001). Calves fed rCP15/60-immune colostrum showed a dose-dependent absorption of antibody, also associated with colostral antibody levels (r=0.83, p<0.0001). Currently, drug therapy against cryptosporidiosis is limited making development of an effective vaccine attractive. This report describes the first stages in development of a C. parvum rCP15/60 vaccine designed to confer passive protection to calves against cryptosporidiosis.     

Reproduction of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) by feeding pooled colostrum reveals variable alloantibody damage to different haematopoietic lineages

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) is a recently described haemorrhagic disease of calves characterised by thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and bone marrow depletion. Feeding colostrum from cows that have previously produced a BNP affected calf has been shown to induce the disease in some calves, leading to the hypothesis that alloantibodies in colostrum from dams of affected calves mediate destruction of blood and bone marrow cells in the recipient calves. The aims of the current experimental study were first to confirm the role of colostrum-derived antibody in mediating the disease and second to investigate the haematopoietic cell lineages and maturation stages depleted by the causative antibodies. Clinical, haematological and pathological changes were examined in 5 calves given a standardised pool of colostrum from known BNP dams, and 5 control calves given an equivalent pool of colostrum from non-BNP dams. All calves fed challenge colostrum showed progressive depletion of bone marrow haematopoietic cells and haematological changes consistent with the development of BNP. Administration of a standardised dose of the same colostrum pool to each calf resulted in a consistent response within the groups, allowing detailed interpretation of the cellular changes not previously described. Analyses of blood and serial bone marrow changes revealed evidence of differential effects on different blood cell lineages. Peripheral blood cell depletion was confined to leucocytes and platelets, while bone marrow damage occurred to the primitive precursors and lineage committed cells of the thrombocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte lineages, but only to the more primitive precursors in the neutrophil, erythrocyte and eosinophil lineages. Such differences between lineages may reflect cell type-dependent differences in levels of expression or conformational nature of the target antigens.     

Serum immunoglobulin G concentrations in calves fed fresh and frozen colostrum

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum IgG concentrations in neonatal calves are adversely affected by short-term frozen storage of colostrum. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Experiment 1 consisted of 10 pairs of Holstein calves (n = 20) fed matched aliquots of either fresh (n = 10) or frozen and thawed (10) colostrum. In experiment 2, 26 Holstein calves were fed either fresh (n = 13) or frozen and thawed (n = 13) colostrum. PROCEDURE: Experiment 1 consisted of calves resulting from observed parturitions; calves were randomly assigned to treatment groups (fresh or frozen and thawed colostrum) in pairs. Calves were fed 4 L aliquots of colostrum via oroesophageal intubation at 3 hours of age. Serum IgG concentrations at 2 days of age were compared between the 2 groups by use of a paired t-test. Experiment 2 consisted of calves resulting from observed parturitions; calves were randomly assigned to treatment groups (fresh or frozen and thawed colostrum). Calves were fed 4 L aliquots of colostrum via oroesophageal intubation at 3 hours of age. Regression analysis was used to determine whether calf serum IgG concentration was a function of colostral IgG concentration and colostrum storage group. RESULTS: Significant differences were not observed between the 2 groups in experiment 1. No significant relationship was observed between colostrum storage group and serum IgG concentration in experiment 2. The model that best predicted serum IgG concentrations accounted for 20% of the variability in serum IgG concentration. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Frozen colostrum is an adequate source of IgG for calves.     

Effect of colostral antibody on bovine leukemia virus infection of neonatal calves

Pairs of newborn calves were exposed to bovine leukemia virus (BLV) when they were given their 1st colostrum feeding. Calves that were given 10(6) BLV-infected lymphocytes in colostrum free of BLV-specific antibody became infected. Calves that were fed 10(7), 10(8), or 10(9) infected lymphocytes in colostrum that contained BLV-specific antibody did not become infected. One of 2 calves inoculated intradermally with 250,000 infected lymphocytes was protected by colostral antibody, but the other was not. Colostral antibody titers in the unprotected calf decreased normally until the calf was 4 months old and then increased markedly; this pattern indicates that the presence of colostral antibody may have prolonged the latent period of the BLV infection.     

Influence of nutritional restriction during late gestation on production measures and passive immunity in beef cattle

A 2-yr study was conducted to examine the effects of nutritional restriction of beef cows during the last 90 d of gestation on neonatal immunity and production. Cows were fed corn silage, soybean meal diets; dietary treatments consisted of 1) control (CO), 100% of the NRC (1984) requirements for protein and energy, or 2) restricted (RS), 57% of the NRC requirements for energy and protein. All cows received adequate amounts of this diet postpartum. Each year, 26 Angus cows were grouped by age and weight:height ratio (WT:HT) and allotted randomly to treatments. Calves born to dams within each nutritional treatment group were allotted to one of two colostral treatments: 1) colostrum from their dam, or 2) colostrum from a cow from the other nutritional treatment group. Calves from restricted dams had higher cortisol (33.8 vs 26.1 ng/ml) and lower triiodothyronine (T3) (3.82 vs 4.01 ng/ml) concentrations (P less than .05). Maternal nutrition did not affect either colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (43.0 vs 39.5 mg/ml for RS and CO, respectively) or the calves' serum IgG concentration (19.06 vs 20.17 mg/ml IgG at 24 h for RS and CO, respectively). Yet, calves fed colostrum from restricted cows tended to have lower serum IgG concentration (17.2 vs 22.0 mg/ml IgG at 24 h).     

Effects of colostral antibody on susceptibility of calves to Cryptosporidium parvum infection

Effects of colostral antibody on susceptibility of calves to Cryptosporidium parvum infection were examined. Six calves were fed pooled colostrum that contained C parvum antibody, 6 times daily (at 4-hour intervals) for 7 days and then milk replacer for 7 days. Colostrum was obtained from healthy cows or cows inoculated parenterally with C parvum oocysts before parturition. Antibody content was determined in serum and colostrum whey, using an ELISA for anticryptosporidia immunoglobulin. Six calves were fed colostrum from healthy cows 1 time, and then milk replacer 6 times daily for 14 days. On day 1, all calves were challenge exposed with C parvum, PO, and were monitored daily for diarrhea and oocyst shedding. Bovine colostrum containing specific antibody to C parvum, at ELISA titers up to 10,240, was not effective in protecting calves against challenge exposure to C parvum.     

An epidemiological study of gammaglobulin levels in newborn calves

The effect of various factors on serum gammaglobulin concentration in newborn dairy calves was studied in 181 calves on six commercial farms. The refractometer test for monitoring colostrum management was found to be a reliable, rapid and practical method up to 6 days after birth. The three factors, time of first colostrum feeding, quantity of first colostrum intake and gammaglobulin concentration in first colostrum, explained 19.9% of the variation in serum gammaglobulin concentration. Time of milking, time of first colostrum intake and gammaglobulin concentration in first colostrum explained 21.0% of the variation in serum gammaglobulin concentration. Calves from first lactation cows showed lower serum gammaglobulin concentration than calves of older cows.     

Comparison of three methods of feeding colostrum to dairy calves

Absorption of colostral immunoglobulins by Holstein calves was studied in 3 herds in which 3 methods of colostrum feeding were used. Failure of passive transfer, as determined by calf serum immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) concentration less than 10 mg/ml at 48 hours of age, was diagnosed in 61.4% of calves from a dairy in which calves were nursed by their dams, 19.3% of calves from a dairy using nipple-bottle feeding, and 10.8% of calves from a dairy using tube feeding. The management factor determined to have the greatest influence on the probability of failure of passive transfer in the herds using artificial methods of colostrum feeding (bottle feeding or tube feeding) was the volume of colostrum fed as it affected the amount of IgG1 received by the calf. In dairies that used artificial feeding methods, failure of passive transfer was infrequent in calves fed greater than or equal to 100 g IgG1 in the first colostrum feeding. In the dairy that allowed calves to suckle, prevalence of failure of passive transfer was greater than 50% even among calves nursed by cows with above-average colostral IgG1 concentration. Analysis of the effect of other management factors on calf immunoglobulin absorption revealed small negative effects associated with the use of previously frozen colostrum and the use of colostrum from cows with long nonlactating intervals.     

The effect of subclinical ketosis in dry cows on the composition of the colostrum and on health indicators in newborn calves

Subclinical ketosis of dry cows was studied as to its effect on the composition of colostrum and on the health condition and selected clinico-biochemical parameters in the new-born calves of these cows. The experimental group consisted of eight cows with ketonuria and their calves. The control group consisted of six cows without ketonuria and their new-born calves. Calves of both groups were reared in similar conditions. Colostrum samples were taken from the first milking and then from the milking 24 hours after parturition. The blood of the calves was sampled before the intake of colostrum and 24 hours after birth. The concentration of ketone bodies, particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate, was much higher in the colostrum of both groups of cows than in the blood (62.6 mg total ketone bodies per 1 litre of the first colostrum of the cows of the experimental group). The concentration of ketone bodies slightly increased after parturition. The cows with ketonuria secreted into colostrum a larger amount of oxidated ketone bodies. Colostrum quality was good in both groups. Decreased viability was not recorded during the clinical examination of the calves after birth. The level of total ketone bodies in the blood of pre-colostral calves in the experimental group was 10.4 mg per litre (a much lower concentration than in blood of their dams), and exhibited no appreciable change after taking in the colostrum. The blood of calves born to cows with ketonuria contained significantly higher amounts of oxidated ketone bodies. No correlation was demonstrated between the contents of ketone bodies in the blood of cows, in the blood of calves, and in the colostrum. The calves of the experimental group were found to have a significantly higher AST activity in plasma, as compared with the control group. Twenty-four hours after birth, the quantity of immunoglobulins in the blood serum was significantly lower in the calves of the experimental group. Thanks to good attendance and hygiene, the morbidity did not increase and no losses occurred.     

Plasma vitamin A status in calves fed colostrum from cows that were fed vitamin A during late pregnancy

Calves are born vitamin A and β‐carotene deficient and the β‐carotene conversion to vitamin A is limited. Colostrum, contains relatively large amounts of vitamin A and β‐carotene and the retinol and β‐carotene status of calves can be normalized with colostrum consumption. We studied whether vitamin A supplementation of cows during late gestation (dry period) increases cow plasma retinol concentrations, the retinol content of first colostrum, and the plasma vitamin A status of calves during their first month of life. Both plasma and colostrum retinol concentrations were higher in vitamin A supplemented cows than in non‐supplemented cows. In calves that were for 5 days fed colostrum (milk) from vitamin A‐supplemented cows and then mature milk, plasma retinol concentrations were higher from 14 to 30 days after birth than in calves that were fed colostrum (milk) from cows that were not vitamin A supplemented. The study shows that vitamin A supplementation of cows during the dry period can improve the vitamin A status of their calves up to 1 month, if calves ingest their colostrum/milk for up to 5 days.     

Diarrhoea in dairy calves reduced by feeding colostrum from cows vaccinated with rotavirus

Forty-two dairy calves remained with their dams for two days after birth, and then were removed to a calf rearing shed. Calves were allocated to three groups for the next 14 days, and received twice daily either whole milk, whole milk with a 10 per cent supplement of pooled normal bovine colostrum or whole milk with 10 per cent supplement of colostrum from cows vaccinated with rotavirus. A natural outbreak of diarrhoea occurred, affecting 28 of the 42 calves. Feeding immune colostrum delayed the onset of diarrhoea, and reduced its incidence, duration and severity. Live weight gains were consequently improved. The group fed normal colostrum had diarrhoea intermediate in severity between that of control calves and those fed immune colostrum. The aetiology of the diarrhoea was complex, with calves excreting rotavirus, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and cryptosporidia.     

Passive protection of calves against experimental infection with Salmonella typhimurium

Cows were vaccinated with formalin-killed Salmonella typhimurium approximately seven weeks and two weeks before parturition to investigate whether passive immunity could protect their calves against experimental S typhimurium infection. After birth the calves were left with their dam for 48 hours and then separated and fed cold, stored colostrum from their own dam for a further eight days. Oral challenge five days after birth with 10(8) S typhimurium did not result in the death of these calves even when they had absorbed little colostrum. Mortality was reduced to 22 per cent in calves which sucked from vaccinated dams and were then fed colostrum from unvaccinated cows and to 50 per cent in calves born to unvaccinated cows and later fed colostrum from vaccinated animals. Calves which sucked from a vaccinated dam and then received stored colostrum from the same cow excreted salmonellas for significantly shorter periods after challenge and were less often infected at necropsy 28 days after inoculation. Protection was not correlated with the levels of O or H agglutinating antibodies in serum, which were at a maximum 24 hours after sucking and then slowly declined. There was no evidence of an active antibody response in the serum. Measurement of the O and H response of cows after vaccination indicated that the vaccination schedule could be improved. The highest levels of agglutinating antibody were measured between two and three weeks after the first vaccination and there was only a minimal response to the second vaccination before parturition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The efficacy of colostrum from cows vaccinated with rotavirus in protecting calves to experimentally induced rotavirus infection

Calves which were continuously fed colostrum from vaccinated cows for the first ten days of life, were fully refractory to experimental infection with strain 81/36 F of bovine rotavirus. By contrast, the response to virus exposure of calves which were treated with normal colostrum was identical to that of the control calves, in that they underwent severe diarrhea and a significant slowing of the growth rate. The antibody titer in the milk of vaccinated cows tends to decline rapidly so that it no longer provides any protective effect. Two alternatives were considered feasible in improving prophylaxis for rotavirus infections: (a) the continuous feeding of calves with 1st day colostrum as part of the ration throughout the period of greatest risk (first week of life), or (b) enhancing the efficacy of the vaccine in pregnant cows to the point where antibody concentration in the milk would remain at a protective level.     

The influence of colostral leukocytes on the immune system of the neonatal calf. I. Effects on lymphocyte responses

The influence of colostral leukocytes on lymphocyte counts in the blood of calves and on lymphocyte responses, in particular the Concanavalin A-induced blastogenic response in vitro and the formation of antibodies against sheep erythrocytes, was investigated for four weeks postnatum using four experimental groups. The calves received either complete colostrum (COL+, n = 16), cell-depleted colostrum (COL-, n = 16), colostral cell-supplemented milk substitute (MS+, n = 7) or pure milk substitute (MS-, n = 6) during their first three days of life. In contrast to the calves fed with cell-depleted colostrum (COL-) the calves fed with complete colostrum (COL+) showed no decrease of lymphocyte numbers in the blood on the second day of life, uniform blastogenic responses to two different Concanavalin A concentrations, slightly enhanced antibody formation against sheep erythrocytes and a high spontaneous proliferation of mononuclear cells during the first week of life. In the calves fed with milk-substitute supplemented with colostral cells (MS+) a higher blastogenic response to Concanavalin A and an intensified formation of antibodies against sheep erythrocytes was observed as compared to the MS- calves. A passage of vital colostral lymphocytes through the intestinal wall is postulated. They seem to stimulate and regulate the blastogenic response and enhance the T-helper cell-dependent formation of antibodies against sheep erythrocytes in calves.     

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia in German Holstein calves

Profiles of blood cell counts were evaluated for 15 calves from three different farms. These calves showed petechia in the mucous membranes and in the skin and prolonged secondary bleeding after puncture. The clinical course of the disease could be observed in eleven calves. With exception of one case, the blood cell counts indicated a severe anaemia, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Out of these 15 calves, six calves survived and the other nine calves died or had to be euthanized due to the severity of the disease. Necropsy of these nine calves revealed petechia in the skin, subcutis, muscles, in inner organs and all serous membranes. Pathohistological examination showed a depletion of the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue in eight calves. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) for eight of these nine calves. Bluetongue virus serotype 8 was tested negatively using PCR. Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was negatively tested using immunofluorescence and cell culture and salmonella species were negatively tested in seven dissected calves. A cluster of toxins was negatively tested in one of the dissected calves. All 15 calves had high antibody titres for BVDV. The BVDV-antibody titres from twelve dams with affected calves were positive in six cases and not detectable in the other six cases. In three of the six dams with not detectable BVDV-antibody titres, calves were fed with colostrum of a further dam with high BVDV-antibody titres. In the further three dams without detectable BVDV-antibody titres, we could not ascertain which colostrum has been fed to the calves. BVDV-specific antigen could not be detected in any of the samples from the calves and dams tested. Using the activity of the gamma-glutamyl-transferase, we assumed a sufficient supply with colostrum for the examined calves.The cause for the occurrence of these BNP cases was due to bone marrow depletion.The reason for the bone marrow depletion remained unclear. However, it was obvious that the BNP described here is highly likely caused by colostrum from cows with positive BVDV-antibody titres.     

Effect of different systems of colostral nutrition on the level of immunoglobulins in the blood of calves]

New-born calves, artificially fed colostrum or native colostral whey, either dried or preserved by another method, had good health and good weight gains (between 0.05 and 0.60 kg). No greater differences were observed between the groups of calves given three times the colostrum of their mothers, calves given mixed colostrum, and calves fed colostral whey powder. In all groups only individual differences in IgG content in the blood serum were observed after 48 hours from birth. Hypogammaglobulinaemia occurred in individual cases both in calves given small amounts of colostrum or colostral whey and in calves given sufficient quantities. The time that had elapsed from birth to the first drinking did not exert any greater influence upon the IgG level in the blood; the decisive factor was the amount of colostrum taken in by the calf in the first dose. The rate of the absorption of IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM from colostrum and the concentration of the immunoglobulins in the serum depended on the quantity of colostrum in the first dose and were not influenced to any greater degree by the amount of colostrum given to the calves in further doses. The amount of IgG in the blood serum of calves corresponded approximately to the level of colostral antibodies to the virus PI-3. The antibodies to the virus PI-3 and small quantities of IgG were observed also in the serum to new-born calves before drinking colostrum.