Juan Cordero-Solorzano1,2,3, Dirk-Jan de Koning4, Madeleine Tråvén5, Therese de Haan5, Mathilde Jouffroy5,6, Andrea Larsson5, Aline Myrthe5,7, Joop A J Arts8, Henk K Parmentier8, Henk Bovenhuis2, Jonas Johansson Wensman9,10. 1. Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. 2. Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 3. Animal Health Service of Costa Rica (SENASA), P.O. Box 3-3006, 40104, Heredia, Costa Rica. 4. Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. DJ.De-Koning@slu.se. 5. Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. 6. AgroSup Dijon - National Superior Institute of Agronomic Sciences Food and the Environment, 26 Boulevard Dr Petitjean, 21079, Dijon, France. 7. Superior School of Agricultures (ESA), 55 Rue Rabelais, 49007, Angers, France. 8. Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 9. Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. jonas.wensman@slu.se. 10. Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden. jonas.wensman@slu.se.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A sufficient IgG content in the colostrum is essential for the newborn calf, as it provides passive immunity which substantially affects the probability of survival during rearing. Failure of passive transfer (FPT) occurs when a calf does not absorb enough antibodies from the colostrum and is defined by an IgG concentration in calf serum lower than 10 g/L. Apart from delayed access to colostrum, FPT can be due to a low production of IgG in the mother or poor IgG absorption by the calf. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic background of antibody levels and indicator traits for antibodies in the colostrum and calf serum, and their correlation with milk production. RESULTS: Colostrum data were available for 1340 dairy cows with at least one calving and calf serum data were available for 886 calves from these cows. Indicator traits for antibody concentrations were estimated using refractometry (a digital Brix refractometer for colostrum and an optical refractometer for serum), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to determine the levels of total IgG and natural antibodies (NAb) of various antibody isotypes in the colostrum and calf serum. Colostrum traits had heritabilities ranging from 0.16 to 0.31 with repeatabilities ranging from 0.21 to 0.55. Brix percentages had positive genetic correlations with all colostrum antibody traits including total IgG (0.68). Calf serum antibody concentrations had heritabilities ranging from 0.25 to 0.59, with a significant maternal effect accounting for 17 to 27% of the variance. When later in life calves produced their first lactation, the lactation average somatic cell score was found to be negatively correlated with NAb levels in calf serum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that antibody levels in the colostrum and calf serum can be increased by means of selection.
BACKGROUND: A sufficient IgG content in the colostrum is essential for the newborn calf, as it provides passive immunity which substantially affects the probability of survival during rearing. Failure of passive transfer (FPT) occurs when a calf does not absorb enough antibodies from the colostrum and is defined by an IgG concentration in calf serum lower than 10 g/L. Apart from delayed access to colostrum, FPT can be due to a low production of IgG in the mother or poor IgG absorption by the calf. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic background of antibody levels and indicator traits for antibodies in the colostrum and calf serum, and their correlation with milk production. RESULTS: Colostrum data were available for 1340 dairy cows with at least one calving and calf serum data were available for 886 calves from these cows. Indicator traits for antibody concentrations were estimated using refractometry (a digital Brix refractometer for colostrum and an optical refractometer for serum), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to determine the levels of total IgG and natural antibodies (NAb) of various antibody isotypes in the colostrum and calf serum. Colostrum traits had heritabilities ranging from 0.16 to 0.31 with repeatabilities ranging from 0.21 to 0.55. Brix percentages had positive genetic correlations with all colostrum antibody traits including total IgG (0.68). Calf serum antibody concentrations had heritabilities ranging from 0.25 to 0.59, with a significant maternal effect accounting for 17 to 27% of the variance. When later in life calves produced their first lactation, the lactation average somatic cell score was found to be negatively correlated with NAb levels in calf serum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that antibody levels in the colostrum and calf serum can be increased by means of selection.
Authors: Maria Torsein; Ann Lindberg; Charlotte Hallén Sandgren; Karin Persson Waller; Mats Törnquist; Catarina Svensson Journal: Prev Vet Med Date: 2011-01-22 Impact factor: 2.670