Colostral Immunity Failure in Neonates

Colostral immunity failure or Passive immunity failure in neonates is the failure of immune system (IgG, IgM and IgA) in young ones.

Normal Colostral Immunity

The IgG in the major immunoglobulin (Ig) in the colostrum followed by IgM and IgA especially, IgG1 is present in higher concentration.

The transfer of immunoglobulin from blood of dam to mammary secretary epithelium is takes place 4-6 weeks before parturition.

First milk colostrum IgG1 concentration is several folds higher than the maternal serum Ig concentration.

Absorbed immunoglobulin protects neonates against infection.

Unabsorbed immunoglobulin in the intestine protect against intestinal diseases.

Milk IgG concentration is decreased rapidly following parturition in all the species. Normally immunoglobulin (Ig) level is less in milk.

In pigs, IgA concentration falls slowly after parturition. IgA is the major immunoglobulin in sow’s milk. IgA is synthesized in sow’s milk throughout the lactation and gives protection against enteric diseases in piglets during nursing period. IgA provides intestinal mucosal defense mechanism in pigs.

Failure of transfer of passive colostral immunity is the major determine factor for neonatal septicemic disease in all the species. This passive colostral immunity failure is high in natural suckling and artificially fed neonates.

Major factors involved in the failure of colostral immunity

Amount of Ig in colostrum fed
- Volume of colostrum fed
- Concentration of Ig in the colostrum
The amount of colostrum actually suckled or fed
Efficiency of Ig absorption by neonates
Time after birth of suckling or feeding (Time between birth and suckling or feeding)

Volume of colostrum fed

Colostral volume is directly influence on Ig concentration.

In natural suckling, Neonates may fails to suck adequate amount of colostrum within 2 hrs of parturition, leads poor absorption of Ig in the intestine.

In artificial feeding, by nipple feeder or esophageal tube feeder in calves. In this feeding system volume of colostrum can be controlled, but bucket feeding is not recommended.

Factors influencing low volume Colostrum intake

Delay in the parturition (prenatal asphyxia), dystocia, malformation, injury during assisted birth, poor mothering, poor udder/teat confirmation and poor response of the assistance in the day old weaning practice at farm level.

Concentration of Ig in the colostrum

The concentration of Ig falls drastically following parturition. Feeding with first milking colostrum is ensuring more Ig transfer to neonates. Followed by second milking colostrum is having half of the first milking colostrum. Colostrum collected within 2 hrs of parturition is possessing higher concentration of Ig than the colostrum of 6 hrs of parturition.

Factors influencing reducing Ig concentration in the colostrum

Pre milking – before parturition – Eg. Udder edema in cow and foal
Short dry period
Premature parturition and induced parturition – Decrease Ig concentration and low volume
Large volume of colostrum at first milking colostrum has low concentration of Ig than small quantity of first milk colostrum. eg. HF cow have low Ig concentration than Jersey.
Third or more lactating animal have high concentration of Ig than first time calving animal.
Heat stress during last stage of parturition
Mastitis
Bacterial contamination of colostrum – decrease Ig concentration – Due to improper collection and storage of colostrum for artificial feeding.
Pasteurisation of colostrum – decreases Ig concentration
Older animal – poor Ig concentration

Efficiency of Ig absorption by neonates

Complete closure of Ig absorption in small intestine take place 24-36 hours after birth in all the species.

There is significant reduction in the absorption in intestine by 8-12 hours following birth.

Declining of passive colostral immunity level quickly after birth and disappeared by 6 month of age.

Assessment of transfer of passive immunity

1. Direct Method

Quantitative estimation of Ig in calves is useful to predict the risk of diseases and to take preventive measures in the single or group of animals.

Serum Ig : IgG is detectable in serum 2hrs following colostral feeding and sampling at 8-12 hours after birth will give good indicator for immunity level in calves.
Radial immune diffusion assay (RIA): Golden standard test for IgG estimation.
ELISA: Piglets & foals

2. Indirect method

Quantitative sulfate test

Quantitative sulfate test done in Lambs, kids, calves and foals as indirect methods.

Serum gamma glutamyl transferace (GGT)

Serum GGT concentration is indirectly suggesting the efficiency of transfer of passive immunity in calf and lambs, not in foals.
Serum GGT level is correlated concentration. Serum GGT concentration is 60-160 times more in colostrum fed calf than adult serum.
Serum GGT level is equivalent to the serum IgG concentration of 10mg/ml = 200 IU/L on day 1.
Serum GGT level is lesser than 50 IU/L indicates failure of passive colostral immunity.

Serum total protein

Serum total protein has good predictive value for neonates.
In healthy calves serum total protein 5.2 g/dl or more is associated with adequate transfer of colostral immunity.

Serum sulfite precipitation & Glutaraldehyde test

It is the easy field test to assess the immune status of the neonates
18% of the sodium sulfite solution gives turbidity with serum is indicative of adequate transfer of passive colostral immunity.
Glutaraldehyde coagulation test also used to detect hypo gamma globulin in neonatal calf.

Specific gravity

Specific gravity of colostrum is more then 1.060 is suggestive for high Ig concentration.

Prevention of failure of transfer of passive immunity

Colostrum stripped and fed freshly to the neonates especially within 2 hours of birth.

Colostrum storage

At Refrigeration temperature, Colostrum can be stored for 1 week.
At 0.05% formaldehyde, it can be stored at 28 degree C for 4 weeks.
5g of propionic acid or lactic acid/litre of colostrum, can be stored for 6 weeks.
Frozen (at -20 degree C) can be stored for long period.
Generally storage of colostrum in Plastic container will maintain the viability of the colostral components.
Unavailability of same species colostrum, other species colostrum can be used.
Bovine colostrum can feed to all the species neonates.

Colostrum supplements

Colostrum supplementation prepared from whey or colostrum and Bovine serum, but each of the preparations having limitation and cost effective.