IMMUNOGLOBULIN DYNAMICS WITH AGE IN CALVES FROM FARMS IN SLOVENIA

The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of immunoglobulin concentration in calf serum regarding the age of animals and influence of the farm. Seventy and one Holstein Friesian calves from two herds were serially sampled from birth to the age of 20 weeks. The calves received 1–1.5 l of colostrum by teat bottle, within 1 to 3 h after birth. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured with ELISA. In colostrum samples from their mothers, the total Ig concentrations were estimated with a colostrometer. Age had a significant effect on the concentrations of immunoglobulins (P<0.001). The farm had significant effect on the concentration of IgG and IgM (P<0.001) and also on IgA (P=0.014). The temporal dynamics of serum IgG concentration was similar on both farms, but not in the case of IgA and IgM. In calves from farm 2, higher concentrations of IgA and IgM were established after the 5 th week of life. That was associated with the incidence of respiratory diseases observed in calves on this farm. The calves of both farms were divided into three groups regarding the IgG concentration in the 1 st week of life, and further IgG dynamics with age was investigated. The effect of group was statistically significant (P<0.001) indicating that the calves have different abilities for IgG production.