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Colostrum
Importance

Although other immunoglobulins such as IgM and IgA are also present in colostrum, IgG is the dominant antibody (see Figure 2) and is the main focus of research due to its central role in passive immunity.

After absorption, IgG:

  • Neutralizes pathogens,

  • Enhances opsonization, making it easier for immune cells to recognize microbes,

  • Contributes to the development of the adaptive (acquired) immune system (Janeway et al., 2001).

Additionally, IgG can be secreted back into the intestines and, together with IgA, contributes to mucosal immunity (Besser et al., 1988; Ulfman et al., 2018) (see Figure 1).

Figure 2. Concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM in colostrum of 6 milkings performed at 12-hour intervals after parturition. Data from: Stott et al. (1981).

Effects of Passive Immunity

Short-term Effects

Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity (FTPI) is typically defined as serum IgG levels below 10 g/L in calves aged 24–36 hours (Weaver et al., 2000). Using this threshold, Raboisson et al. (2016) conducted a meta-analysis of 10 studies and found that in dairy calves with FTPI:

  • The risk of mortality was 2.12 times higher,

  • The risk of respiratory disease was 1.75 times higher,

  • The risk of diarrhea was 1.51 times higher,

  • The overall morbidity from disease was 1.91 times higher,

  • The average daily live weight gain was 81 g/day lower.

According to studies on the economic impact of FTPI, the average cost per case was calculated as 89.27 CAD. Similarly, Abdallah et al. (2022), using the same FTPI threshold (< 10 g IgG/L), performed a meta-analysis on non-dairy calves (beef or dairy-beef cross) and found:

  • Mortality risk increased 2.46 times,

  • Diarrhea risk increased 3.03 times.

Recent research emphasizes that the threshold values used to define passive immunity adequacy need to be raised. Lombard et al. (2020), by expert consensus, stated that the traditional 10 g/L serum IgG cutoff is too low and that achieving higher serum IgG levels is critical for optimal calf health. Recommended threshold values for serum IgG concentrations, total protein, and Brix % are detailed in Table 1.

Table 1. Consensus serum IgG concentrations, total protein, and Brix% values and recommended targets determined by Lombard et al. (2020).

1 

The Critical Role of Passive Immunity in Calf Health and Development

Introduction

In newborn calves, the immune system is not yet fully developed, and there are no maternal antibodies circulating in their bloodstream. This condition makes them highly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Unlike humans, the synepitheliochorial placenta type observed in cattle does not allow the transfer of immunoglobulins between the mother and the fetus (Peter, 2013). Therefore, calves are born without humoral immunity and must acquire their passive immunity entirely through the intake of colostrum (first milk).

Immunoglobulins and Their Roles in Calf Immunity

It is accepted that after birth, calves absorb immunoglobulins from colostrum via pinocytosis (Stott et al., 1979) (see Figure 1). However, intestinal permeability decreases very rapidly, and after 12 hours, the absorption of immunoglobulins significantly declines (Stott et al., 1979b; Bush and Staley, 1980). Although the exact mechanism of this decline is not fully understood, it is thought to result from the exhaustion of pinocytotic activity or the replacement of enterocytes (intestinal cells) by mature epithelial cells (Broughton and Lecce, 1970; Smeaton and Simpson-Morgan, 1985; Weaver et al., 2000).

Figure 1. The process of immunoglobulin absorption via pinocytosis in the intestinal cell.

Benefits of Achieving High Thresholds of Passive Immunity

The benefits of ensuring passive immunity at high threshold levels have been confirmed by numerous studies. Sutter et al. (2023) analyzed serum total protein data from 3,434 dairy calves aged 2–7 days and observed that calves with excellent passive immunity (compared to poor passive immunity) had:

  • 50% lower risk of respiratory diseases,

  • 50% lower overall morbidity risk,

  • 60% reduction in mortality rate,

  • An increase of 0.04 kg/day in average daily weight gain.

Crannell and Abuelo (2023) reported similar results. Reviewing serum total protein records from 4,336 dairy calves aged 2–7 days, they found that calves with excellent passive immunity (compared to poor passive immunity) had:

  • 33% reduction in diarrhea risk,

  • 28% reduction in respiratory disease,

  • 34% reduction in overall morbidity,

  • 77% reduction in mortality risk.

Long-Term Effects

There are limited studies on the long-term effects of passive immunity. DeNise et al. (1989) analyzed serum IgG levels in 1,000 calves aged 24–48 hours and found that for every 1 g/L increase in IgG, milk production increased by 8.5 kg in the first lactation. Additionally, calves with IgG < 12 g/L had higher rates of culling due to low production and higher mortality between 0–180 days.

Crannell and Abuelo (2023) applied the passive immunity thresholds recommended by Lombard et al. (2020) and found that calves in the excellent category (compared to poor):

  • Had 2.78 times higher insemination rates,

  • Had 2.22 times higher chance of pregnancy as heifers,

  • Had 1.32 times higher likelihood of first calving.

Faber et al. (2005), although not directly measuring IgG, reported that calves fed 4 L of colostrum at birth produced 955 kg more milk in the first lactation and 1,652 kg more in the second lactation.

Beyond passive immunity, although colostrum IgG is a key focus, colostrum contains many biologically active components that influence immune system development and gut health (Blum and Hammon, 2000; Fischer-Tlustos et al., 2021).

Early colostrum intake post-birth supports beneficial microbial colonization in the intestine, reducing pathogen risk (Malmuthuge et al., 2015). Early feeding of colostrum is also reported to increase intestinal villus height and crypt depth, expanding nutrient absorption surface area (Fischer-Tlustos et al., 2020).

The benefits of IgG largely contribute to overall calf health together with other biologically active components.

Summary and Conclusions

Newborn calves are born without maternal antibodies; thus, passive immunity is vital. IgG absorption rapidly declines after birth, with intestinal permeability sharply decreasing after 12 hours; therefore, colostrum feeding must be timely. High passive immunity reduces short-term risks of mortality, respiratory diseases, and diarrhea while enhancing growth. In the long term, it positively impacts milk production, culling rates, and reproductive performance. The traditional 10 g/L IgG threshold is now considered insufficient, and higher passive immunity levels should be achieved. Providing adequate quality colostrum immediately after birth is indispensable for calf health, growth, and long-term success.

This is quoted from https://sccl.com/news/the-critical-role-of-passive-immunity-in-calf-health-and-development/.

References

Abdallah A, Francoz D, Berman J, Dufour S, Buczinski S. Association between transfer of passive immunity and health disorders in multisource commingled dairy calves raised for veal or other purposes: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science. 2022 Oct 1;105(10):8371-86.
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22096

Besser TE, Gay CC, McGuire TC, Evermann JF. Passive immunity to bovine rotavirus infection associated with transfer of serum antibody into the intestinal lumen. Journal of Virology. 1988 Jul;62(7):2238-42.
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.62.7.2238-2242.1988

Blum JW, Hammon H. Colostrum effects on the gastrointestinal tract, and on nutritional, endocrine and metabolic parameters in neonatal calves. Livestock Production Science. 2000 Oct 1;66(2):151-9.
DOI: 10.1016/S0301-6226(00)00167-7

Crannell P, Abuelo A. Comparison of calf morbidity and mortality by passive immunity status in commercial dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science. 2023 Oct 1;106(10):some pages.
(For detailed page information, please check the relevant journal page.)

DeNise SK, Robison JD, Stott GH, Armstrong DV. Effects of passive immunity on subsequent production in dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science. 1989 Feb 1;72(2):552-4.
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Faber SN, Faber NE, McCauley TC, Ax RL. Case study: effects of colostrum ingestion on lactational performance 1. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2005 Oct 1;21(5):420-5.
DOI: 10.15232/S1080-7446(15)30921-9

Fischer-Tlustos AJ, Lopez A, Hare KS, Wood KM, Steele MA. Effects of colostrum management on transfer of passive immunity and the potential role of colostral bioactive components on neonatal calf development and metabolism. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 2021 Feb 24;101(3):405-26.
DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2020-0104

Janeway CA Jr, Travers P, Walport M, Shlomchik MJ. The distribution and functions of immunoglobulin isotypes. In: Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. 2001. Garland Science.

Lombard J, Urie N, Garry F, Godden S, Quigley J, Earleywine T, McGuirk S, Moore D, Branan M, Chamorro M, Smith G. Consensus recommendations on calf-and herd-level passive immunity in dairy calves in the United States. Journal of Dairy Science. 2020 Aug 1;103(8):7611-24.
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18327

Malmuthuge N, Chen Y, Liang G, Goonewardene LA. Heat-treated colostrum feeding promotes beneficial bacteria colonization in the small intestine of neonatal calves. Journal of Dairy Science. 2015 Nov 1;98(11):8044-53.
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Peter AT. Bovine placenta: a review on morphology, components, and defects from terminology and clinical perspectives. Theriogenology. 2013 Oct 15;80(7):693-705.
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.05.008

Raboisson D, Trillat P, Cahuzac C. Failure of passive immune transfer in calves: A meta-analysis on the consequences and assessment of the economic impact. PLOS ONE. 2016 Mar 17;11(3):e0150452.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150452

Stott GH, Marx DB, Menefee BE, Nightengale GT. Colostral immunoglobulin transfer in calves I. Period of absorption. Journal of Dairy Science. 1979 Oct 1;62(10):1632-8.
DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(79)83462-6

Stott GH, Fleenor WA, Kleese WC. Colostral immunoglobulin concentration in two fractions of first milking postpartum and five additional milkings. Journal of Dairy Science. 1981 Mar 1;64(3):459-65.
DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(81)82674-4

Sutter F, Venjakob PL, Heuwieser W, Borchardt S. Association between transfer of passive immunity, health, and performance of female dairy calves from birth to weaning. Journal of Dairy Science. 2023 Oct 1;106(10):7043-55.
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22716

Ulfman LH, Leusen JH, Savelkoul HF, Warner JO, Van Neerven RJ. Effects of bovine immunoglobulins on immune function, allergy, and infection. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2018 Jun 22;5:52.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2018.00052

Weaver DM, Tyler JW, VanMetre DC, Hostetler DE, Barrington GM. Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2000 Nov;14(6):569-77.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2000.tb02376.x

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