Abstract

CARRILLO, Angie Fairut; LOAIZA, Valentina  and  CAMPOS GAONA, Rómulo. Assessment of the passive transference of immunity in calves through metabolic indicators. Acta Agron. [online]. 2009, vol.58, n.3, pp.174-179. ISSN 0120-2812.

Fifteen bovines and their calves were chosen randomly in order to determine the usefulness of the Alkaline phosphatase's (ALP) seric activity and the total seric proteins (TSP) as indicators of transference of immunity in calves through colostrums' consumption in their first days of life. Three hundred ml (300 ml) of colostrums of the first day after delivery were collected from the cows. In it total solids, crude protein and ashes were found. Blood samples without anticoagulant and through jugular venipuncture were taken from the calves on the 0, 4, 12, and 30^th day after delivery. The concentration of the TSP was determined through refractometry, while the ALP was determined through the enzymatic colourimetric assay. A high and statistically significant relationship between the percentages of crude protein of the colostrums and the total solids was found, thus, it can be concluded that just one measurement is valid in order to study both indicators. The effect of time on the concentrations of TSP as well as on the enzymatic activity was evaluated through the use of ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). In the TSP there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) on the 30^th day, day in which the lowest concentration occurred. Average values, higher than 4.5 g/dl of the TSP were found which may indicate that the calves developed passive immunity through colostrums’ consumption. The ALP enzymatic activity decreased progressively during the period of study, showing a significant difference on the day zero (p < 0.05) however, it was not proved that the ALP can be used as a direct indicator of the PTI.

Keywords : Colostrum; passive immunity; alkaline phosphatase.

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