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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #148448
Title: INADEQUATE PASSIVE TRANSFER IN 1,568 BEEF CALVES: HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE EFFECTS

Author
item DEWELL, RENEE - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item HUNGERFORD, LAURA - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item Keen, James
item Laegreid, William
item GRIFFIN, DEE - UNIV OF NEBRASKA
item RUPP, GARY - UNIV OF NEBRASKA
item GROTELUESCHEN, DALE - PFIZER ANIMAL HEALTH

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A retrospective cohort study of 1,568 beef calves was conducted to evaluate the association of serum IgG1 level, obtained within 48 hours of birth, with preweaning and feedlot health and performance parameters. Logistic regression, analysis of covariance, and likelihood ratio tests were used to identify and quantify effects of serum IgG1 levels on preweaning and feedlot morbidity, mortality, and average daily gains. Risk for preweaning morbidity and mortality was increased for calves with decreased levels of serum IgG1. Calves with serum IgG1 levels at or below 2,500 mg/dl were 1.5 times more likely to get sick before weaning and 2.4 times more likely to die before weaning than calves with higher levels of serum IgG1. Average daily gain measured from birth to weaning was negatively influenced by decreased levels of serum IgG1. Calves with serum IgG1 levels of at least 2,700 mg/dl averaged 7.38 lbs more at 205 days of age than calves with lower serum IgG1, after adjusting for covariates. Significant associations between serum IgG1 and feedlot morbidity, mortality, or average daily gains were not established in this study. Using likelihood ratio tests, the threshold of IgG1 for optimal health and performance of calves was found to be much higher than previously reported. Implementation and maintenance of management and intervention strategies by veterinarians and producers designed for early detection and treatment of calves at risk for failure of passive transfer is likely to result in increased preweaning health and performance parameters.