Advanced parity in holstein cows is associated with colostrum IgG content and transfer of passive immunity but not postnatal growth in calves
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Colostrum is vital because it contains proteins, amino acids, and growth factors and is a rich source of immunoglobulins; thus, it enhances the immune system of newborns. Management influences colostrum composition traits, but the information regarding first- and second-parity cows needs to be more conclusive. The objective was to determine the impact of parity on immunoglobulin concentration (IgG) in colostrum, transfer of passive immunity, postnatal growth, and incidence of diseases in Holstein\%27s calves. We used 30 Holstein cows and their progeny that were distributed into three treatments: T1 (10 first-parity), T2 (10 second-parity), and T3 (10 third-parity). At birth, the weight and sex of the calves were recorded. Immediately after birth, colostrum IgG was determined by colostrometer and refractometry. Blood samples from calves were collected at birth and 48 h of life to determine the transfer of passive immunity. Subsequently, the incidence of diseases, daily liveweight gain, and mortality were recorded weekly up to weaning. Birth weight tended to differ among treatments (T1:33.0±0.9; T2 38.1±2.5; T2:38.2±1.4 kg; p=0.07). IgG concentration in colostrum at birth was better in T3 (p < 0.05) than in T1 and T2, independently of the assessed method. The immunoglobulin concentration in serum at birth was similar among treatments (p > 0.05), but at 48 h was higher in calves from T3 (p < 0.05). Postnatal growth and weaning weight did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). Calves of all treatments presented diarrhea (p > 0.05). Two calves died, one from T1 and one from T2, with no mortality rate differences among treatments (p > 0.05). We concluded that the parity influenced the content of IgG in colostrum, transfer of passive immunity, and tended to affect the birth weight of calves. However, the postnatal development among calves was not altered. These results warrant more research to determine whether the colostrum produced by first and second-parity cows does not negatively affect the newborns\%27 post-weaning performance and first pregnancy.
