Failure of Passive Transfer in Calves

Abstract

Yeni doğan buzağılar, annelerin plasental yapısı nedeniyle fetüsa immunglobulin (Ig) geçişi olmamasına bağlı olarak immünolojik olarak yetersiz doğarlar ve bu nedenle doğumdan sonra yeterli miktarda Ig almaları gerekmektedir. Yeni doğan buzağılara Ig geçişi pasif transfer olarak adlandırılmakta ve yeterli miktarda Ig alamayan buzağılarda pasif transfer yetmezliği (FPT) meydana gelmektedir. FPT yüksek morbibite ve mortalite oranlarına sebep olarak, ekonomik kayıplara yol açmasıyla birlikte, hayvan refahı sorunu da oluşturmaktadır. FPT prevalansını etkileyen en faktörler arasında; kolostrumun verilme miktarı ve zamanı, kalitesi, anne yaşı, gebelik süresi, kuru dönem uzunluğu gibi unsurlar bulunmaktadır. FPT’nin tanısında, anamnez ve klinik bulguların yanı sıra, IgG konsantrasyonlarının doğrudan ve dolaylı ölçümünü içeren çeşitli testler uygulanmaktadır. FPT bir hastalık değil, hastalık geliştirmesine yatkınlık oluşturan immun yetmezlik durumudur ve buzağılarda özellikle ishal, solunum yolu hastalıkları ve sepsitemiye karşı yüksek duyarlılık oluşturduğu bildirilmektedir. FTP’den korunma ve yönetim stratejilerinde; kolostrum kalitesinin değerlendirilmesi, kolostrumun verilme zamanı ve miktarı oldukça önemliyken, sürü düzeyinde kontrol programlarına da mutlaka dikkat edilmesi gerekmektedir.

Keywords

• Calf
• Deficiency
• FPT
• Ig
• Immunity

Buzağılarda Pasif Transfer Yetmezliği

Abstract

Newborn calves are born immunologically inadequate due to the absence of immunoglobulin (Ig) transfer to the fetus as a result of the placental structure of the dam, and therefore they must receive an adequate amount of Ig after birth. The transfer of Ig to newborn calves is referred to as passive transfer, and failure of passive transfer (FPT) occurs in calves that do not receive sufficient amounts of Ig. FPT causes high morbidity and mortality rates, leading to economic losses as well as posing an animal welfare concern. Among the main factors affecting the prevalence of FPT are the amount and timing of colostrum administration, its quality, and elements such as dam age, gestation length, and dry period duration. In the diagnosis of FPT, in addition to anamnesis and clinical findings, various tests involving the direct and indirect measurement of IgG concentrations are applied. FPT is not a disease but an immunodeficiency condition that predisposes calves to disease development, and it has been reported to increase susceptibility especially to diarrhea, respiratory diseases, and septicemia. In prevention and management strategies for FPT, evaluation of colostrum quality and the timing and amount of colostrum administration are highly important, and herd-level control programs must also be carefully considered.

Keywords

• Buzağı
• FPT
• Ig
• Yetmezlik
• Bağışıklık

References

1. Abuelo, A., Cullens, F., Hanes, A., & Brester, J. L. (2021). Impact of 2 Versus 1 Colostrum Meals on Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity, Pre-Weaning Morbidity and Mortality, and Performance of Dairy Calves in a Large Dairy Herd. Animals, 11(3), 782. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030782
2. Aiello, G., Yalçıntaş, Y. M., Campaci, D., Lombardo, M., Muthanna, F. M. S., Conte, C., Karav, S., Tripodi, G., & Baldelli, S. (2025). The multifunctional role of bovine colostrum in managing diabetes: clinical insights and potential therapeutic effects. Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, 24(2), 179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-025-01683-9
3. Atkinson, D. J., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., & Weary, D. M. (2017). Benchmarking passive transfer of immunity and growth in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(5), 3773–3782. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11800
4. Barrington, G. M., Besser, T. E., Davis, W. C., Gay, C. C., Reeves, J. J., & McFadden, T. B. (1997). Expression of immunoglobulin G1 receptors by bovine mammary epithelial cells and mammary leukocytes. Journal of Dairy Science, 80(1), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(97)75915-0
5. Beam, A. L., Lombard, J. E., Kopral, C. A., Garber, L. P., Winter, A. L., Hicks, J. A., & Schlater, J. L. (2009). Prevalence of failure of passive transfer of immunity in newborn heifer calves and associated management practices on US dairy operations. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(8), 3973–3980. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2225
6. Bielmann, V., Gillan, J., Perkins, N. R., Skidmore, A. L., Godden, S., & Leslie, K. E. (2010). An evaluation of Brix refractometry instruments for measurement of colostrum quality in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(8), 3713–3721. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2943
7. Braun, J. P., Tainturier, D., Laugier, C., Bénard, P., Thouvenot, J. P., & Rico, A. G. (1982). Early variations of blood plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase in newborn calves--a test of colostrum intake. Journal of Dairy Science, 65(11), 2178–2181. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(82)82479-X
8. Chigerwe, M., Tyler, J. W., Schultz, L. G., Middleton, J. R., Steevens, B. J., & Spain, J. N. (2008). Effect of colostrum administration by use of oroesophageal intubation on serum IgG concentrations in Holstein bull calves. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 69(9), 1158–1163. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.69.9.1158

9. Cuttance, E. L., Mason, W. A., Denholm, K. S., & Laven, R. A. (2017a). Comparison of diagnostic tests for determining the prevalence of failure of passive transfer in New Zealand dairy calves. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 65(1), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2016.1230525
10. Cuttance, E. L., Mason, W. A., Laven, R. A., McDermott, J., & Phyn, C. (2017b). Prevalence and calf-level risk factors for failure of passive transfer in dairy calves in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 65(6), 297–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2017.1361876
11. Cuttance, E. L., Mason, W. A., Laven, R. A., & Phyn, C. V. C. (2018). The relationship between failure of passive transfer and mortality, farmer-recorded animal health events and body weights of calves from birth until 12 months of age on pasture-based, seasonal calving dairy farms in New Zealand. Veterinary Journal (London, England: 1997), 236, 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.04.005
12. Cuttance, E. L., Regnerus, C., & Laven, R. A. (2019). A review of diagnostic tests for diagnosing failure of transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(6), 277–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2019.1654945
13. da Costa Corrêa Oliveira, L., Borchardt, S., Heuwieser, W., Rauch, E., Erhard, M., & Sutter, F. (2019). Evaluation of a filter system to harvest plasma for identification of failure of passive transfer in newborn calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(1), 557–566. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds. 2018-15006
14. Deelen, S. M., Ollivett, T. L., Haines, D. M., & Leslie, K. E. (2014). Evaluation of a Brix refractometer to estimate serum immunoglobulin G concentration in neonatal dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(6), 3838–3844. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-7939
15. Donovan, G. A., Dohoo, I. R., Montgomery, D. M., & Bennett, F. L. (1998). Associations between passive immunity and morbidity and mortality in dairy heifers in Florida, USA. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 34(1), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(97)00060-3
16. Elsohaby, I., Riley, C. B., Hou, S., McClure, J. T., Shaw, R. A., & Keefe, G. P. (2014). Measurement of serum immunoglobulin G in dairy cattle using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy: a reagent free approach. Veterinary Journal, 202(3), 510–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.09.014
17. Fischer, A. J., Song, Y., He, Z., Haines, D. M., Guan, L. L., & Steele, M. A. (2018). Effect of delaying colostrum feeding on passive transfer and intestinal bacterial colonization in neonatal male Holstein calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(4), 3099–3109. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13397
18. Godden S. (2008). Colostrum management for dairy calves. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice, 24(1), 19–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa .2007.10.005
19. Godden, S. M., Lombard, J. E., & Woolums, A. R. (2019). Colostrum management for dairy calves. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice, 35(3), 535.
20. Gökçe, E., & Erdoğan, H. M. (2013). Neonatal buzağılarda kolostral immünoglobulinlerin pasif transferi. Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 4(1), 18-46.
21. Haggerty, A., Mason, C., Ellis, K., & Denholm, K. (2021). Risk factors for poor colostrum quality and failure of passive transfer in Scottish dairy calves. The Journal of Dairy Research, 88(3), 337–342. https://doi.org/10.1017/ S0022029921000686
22. Hogan, I., Doherty, M., Fagan, J., Kennedy, E., Conneely, M., Brady, P., Ryan, C., & Lorenz, I. (2015). Comparison of rapid laboratory tests for failure of passive transfer in the bovine. Irish Veterinary Journal, 68(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-015-0047-0
23. Immler, M., Büttner, K., Gärtner, T., Wehrend, A., & Donat, K. (2022). Maternal Impact on Serum Immunoglobulin and Total Protein Concentration in Dairy Calves. Animals, 12(6), 755. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060755 Kara, E., & Ceylan, E. (2021). Failure of passive transfer in neonatal calves in dairy farms in Ankara region. Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 45(3), 556-565.
24. Karakülah, Y. S., Yalçıntaş, Y. M., Bechelany, M., & Karav, S. (2025). Clinical Applications of Bovine Colostrum in GastrointestinaI Disorders: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Therapeutic Potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(21), 10673. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijms262110673
25. Kayasaki, S., Satoh, H., Oguchi, K., Chisato, K., Fukumori, R., Higuchi, H., Suzuki, K., & Oikawa, S. (2024). Characteristics of failure of passive transfer at the herd level using the serum immunoglobulin G concentration as an indicator on dairy farms in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 86(7), 809–815. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.24-0054
26. Lakritz, J., Tyler, J. W., Hostetler, D. E., Marsh, A. E., Weaver, D. M., Holle, J. M., Steevens, B. J., & Denbigh, J. L. (2000). Effects of pasteurization of colostrum on subsequent serum lactoferrin concentration and neutrophil superoxide production in calves. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 61(9), 1021–1025.
27. Larson, B. L., Heary, H. L., Jr, & Devery, J. E. (1980). Immunoglobulin production and transport by the mammary gland. Journal of Dairy Science, 63(4), 665–671. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(80)82988-2
28. Lichtmannsperger, K., Hartsleben, C., Spöcker, M., Hechenberger, N., Tichy, A., & Wittek, T. (2023). Factors Associated with Colostrum Quality, the Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity, and the Impact on Calf Health in the First Three Weeks of Life. Animals, 13(11), 1740. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111740
29. Lombard, J., Urie, N., Garry, F., Godden, S., Quigley, J., Earleywine, T., McGuirk, S., Moore, D., Branan, M., Chamorro, M., Smith, G., Shivley, C., Catherman, D., Haines, D., Heinrichs, A. J., James, R., Maas, J., & Sterner, K. (2020). Consensus recommendations on calf- and herd-level passive immunity in dairy calves in the United States. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(8), 7611–7624. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds .2019-17955
30. Lorenz, I., Mee, J. F., Earley, B., & More, S. J. (2011). Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention. Irish Veterinary Journal, 64(1), 10.
31. Mason, W. A., Cuttance, E. L., & Laven, R. A. (2022). The transfer of passive immunity in calves born at pasture. Journal of Dairy Science, 105(7), 6271–6289. https://doi.org/ 10.3168/jds.2021-21460
32. McGuirk S. M. (2008). Disease management of dairy calves and heifers. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice, 24(1), 139–153. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.cvfa.2007.10.003
33. Morrill, K. M., Polo, J., Lago, A., Campbell, J., Quigley, J., & Tyler, H. (2013). Estimate of serum immunoglobulin G concentration using refractometry with or without caprylic acid fractionation. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(7), 4535–4541. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5843
34. O'brien, J. P., & Sherman, D. M. (1993). Serum immunoglobulin concentrations of newborn goat kids and subsequent kid survival through weaning. Small Ruminant Research, 11(1), 71-77.
35. Parish, S. M., Tyler, J. W., Besser, T. E., Gay, C. C., & Krytenberg, D. (1997). Prediction of serum IgG1 concentration in Holstein calves using serum gamma glutamyltransferase activity. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 11(6), 344–347. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1997 .tb00478.x
36. Paśko, P., Kryczyk-Kozioł, J., Zagrodzki, P., Prochownik, E., Ziomek, M., Lauterbach, R., Huras, H., Staśkiewicz, M., & Dobrowolska-Iwanek, J. (2025). Pilot Study of Growth Factors in Colostrum: How Delivery Mode and Maternal Health Impact IGF-1, EGF, NGF, and TGF-β Levels in Polish Women. Nutrients, 17(8), 1386. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081386
37. Quigley, J. D., Strohbehn, R. E., Kost, C. J., & O'Brien, M. M. (2001). Formulation of colostrum supplements, colostrum replacers and acquisition of passive immunity in neonatal calves. Journal of dairy science, 84(9), 2059–2065. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)74650-4
38. Raboisson, D., Trillat, P., & Cahuzac, C. (2016). Failure of Passive Immune Transfer in Calves: A Meta-Analysis on the Consequences and Assessment of the Economic Impact. PloS One, 11(3), e0150452. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0150452
39. Renaud, D. L., Waalderbos, K. M., Beavers, L., Duffield, T. F., Leslie, K. E., & Windeyer, M. C. (2020). Risk factors associated with failed transfer of passive immunity in male and female dairy calves: A 2008 retrospective cross-sectional study. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(4), 3521–3528. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17397
40. Reschke, C., Schelling, E., Michel, A., Remy-Wohlfender, F., & Meylan, M. (2017). Factors Associated with Colostrum Quality and Effects on Serum Gamma Globulin Concentrations of Calves in Swiss Dairy Herds. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 31(5), 1563–1571. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14806
41. Roadknight, N., Jongman, E., Mansell, P., Courtman, N., McGill, D., Hepworth, G., & Fisher, A. (2022). Prevalence of failure of passive immunity transfer in Australian non-replacement dairy calves. Australian Veterinary Journal, 100(7), 292–295. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13160
42. Sasaki, M., Davis, C. L., & Larson, B. L. (1976). Production and turnover of IgG1 and IgG2 immunoglobulins in the bovine around parturition. Journal of dairy science, 59(12), 2046–2055. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(76)84486-4
43. Sawyer, M., Willadsen, C. H., Osburn, B. I., & McGuire, T. C. (1977). Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins from ewe to lamb and its influence on neonatal lamb mortality. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 171(12), 1255–1259.
44. Shivley, C. B., Lombard, J. E., Urie, N. J., Haines, D. M., Sargent, R., Kopral, C. A., Earleywine, T. J., Olson, J. D., & Garry, F. B. (2018). Preweaned heifer management on US dairy operations: Part II. Factors associated with colostrum quality and passive transfer status of dairy heifer calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(10), 9185–9198.
45. Staněk, S., Nejedlá, E., Fleischer, P., Pechová, A., & Šlosárková, S. (2019). Prevalence of failure of passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves in the Czech Republic. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 67(1).
46. Sutter, F., Borchardt, S., Schuenemann, G. M., Rauch, E., Erhard, M., & Heuwieser, W. (2019). Evaluation of 2 different treatment procedures after calving to improve harvesting of high-quantity and high-quality colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(10), 9370-9381.
47. Thompson, J. C., & Pauli, J. V. (1981). Colostral transfer of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase in calves. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 29(12), 223–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 00480169.1981.34851
48. Van, T. D., Hue, D. T., Bottema, C. D. K., Werid, G. M., Skirving, R., & Petrovski, K. R. (2023). Meta-Analysis on the Prevalence of Failed Transfer of Passive Immunity in Calves from Pasture-Based Dairy Farms in Australasia. Animals, 13(11), 1792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111792
49. Virtala, A. M., Gröhn, Y. T., Mechor, G. D., & Erb, H. N. (1999). The effect of maternally derived immunoglobulin G on the risk of respiratory disease in heifers during the first 3 months of life. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 39(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(98)00140-8
50. Weaver, D. M., Tyler, J. W., VanMetre, D. C., Hostetler, D. E., & Barrington, G. M. (2000). Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 14(6), 569–577. https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2000)014<0569:ptocii>2.3.co;2
51. Wilm, J., Costa, J. H. C., Neave, H. W., Weary, D. M., & von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. (2018). Technical note: Serum total protein and immunoglobulin G concentrations in neonatal dairy calves over the first 10 days of age. Journal of dairy science, 101(7), 6430–6436. https://doi.org/10.3168/ jds.2017-13553
52. Yang, C., Du, M., Ahmad, A. A., Cheng, Y., & Gebeyew, K. (2025). Passive Immunity Establishment Through Colostral IgG Absorption in Neonatal Ruminants: Foundation for Efficient Ruminant Production. Animals, 15(21), 3093. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15213093