Evaluation of colostrum quality and passive transfer immunity in terms of heat stress and disease incidence in Holstein cattle in Central Anatolia

Abstract

The effects of heat stress on colostrum quality, passive transfer failure, and disease incidence were investigated in a large population in order to prevent calf morality and yield losses in Holstein cows and calves. There was a statistically significant correlation between colostrum quality and the daily temperature humidity index, 7-day average temperature stress, and average temperature humidity indexes experienced by the cows during the dry period (P<0.001). It was observed that passive transfer failure occurred in 21% of the calves. There was a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) between the relative humidity and the temperature and humidity index values of the day of birth and the calf serum brix value. A negative and significant correlation was observed between Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and serum brix value (r = -10, P<0.01). It was observed that the passive transfer success and diarrhea and pneumonia that were overcome in the first 365-day period showed a negative correlation (P<0.01). As a result, it has been observed that the heat stress experienced by cows and calves affects colostrum quality and passive transfer success, which also affects development and protection from diseases.

Keywords

• Colostrum Quality
• Heat stress
• Passive transfer failure
• Passive transfer immunity
• Temperature humidity index

References

1. Beam A, Lombard J, Kopral C, et al (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, 3973-3980.
2. Buczinski S, Lu Y, Chigerwe M, et al (2021): Systematic review and meta-analysis of refractometry for diagnosis of inadequate transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves: Quantifying how accuracy varies with threshold using a Bayesian approach. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 189, 105306.
3. Buczinski S, Vandeweerd J (2016): Diagnostic accuracy of refractometry for assessing bovine colostrum quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 99, 7381-7394.
4. Caffarena RD, Casaux ML, Schild CO, et al (2021): Causes of neonatal calf diarrhea and mortality in pasture-based dairy herds in Uruguay: a farm-matched case-control study. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 52, 977-988.
5. Collier RJ, Hall LW, Rungruang S, et al (2012): Quantifying heat stress and its impact on metabolism and performance. Department of Animal Sciences University of Arizona, 68, 1-11.
6. Dado-Senn B, Acosta LV, Rivera MT, et al (2020): Pre-and postnatal heat stress abatement affects dairy calf thermoregulation and performance. Journal of Dairy Science, 103, 4822-4837.
7. Dahl GE, Tao S, Laporta J (2020). Heat stress impacts immune status in cows across the life cycle. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 116.
8. Godden S (2008): Colostrum management for dairy calves. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 24, 19-39.

9. Godden SM, Lombard JE, Woolums AR (2019): Colostrum management for dairy calves. Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice, 35, 535-556.
10. Gökçe E, Erdoğan H (2013): Neonatal buzağılarda kolostral immunoglobulinlerin pasif transferi. Turkiye Klinikleri J Vet Sci, 4, 18-46.
11. Gulliksen SM, Lie KI, Sølverød L, et al (2008): Risk factors associated with colostrum quality in Norwegian dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 704-712.
12. Gupta S, Sharma A, Joy A, et al (2022). The impact of heat stress on immune status of dairy cattle and strategies to ameliorate the negative effects. Animals, 13, 107.
13. Jaster E (2005): Evaluation of quality, quantity, and timing of colostrum feeding on immunoglobulin G1 absorption in Jersey calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 88, 296-302.
14. Kara E, Terzi OS, Şenel Y, et al (2020): Yerli Kara ve İsviçre Esmeri Irkı Sığırların Kolostrum Kalitesinin Karşılaştırılması. Fırat Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Veteriner Dergisi, 34, 153-156.
15. Laporta J, Fabris T, Skibiel A, et al (2017): In utero exposure to heat stress during late gestation has prolonged effects on the activity patterns and growth of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 100, 2976-2984.
16. Mee JF (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for dystocia in dairy cattle: A review. The Veterinary Journal, 176, 93-101.
17. Morin D, McCoy G, Hurley W (1997): Effects of quality, quantity, and timing of colostrum feeding and addition of a dried colostrum supplement on immunoglobulin G1 absorption in Holstein bull calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 80, 747-753.
18. Nardone A, Lacetera N, Bernabucci U, et al (1997): Composition of colostrum from dairy heifers exposed to high air temperatures during late pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Journal of Dairy Science, 80, 838-844.
19. Ravagnolo O, Misztal I (2000): Genetic component of heat stress in dairy cattle, parameter estimation. Journal of Dairy Science, 83, 2126-2130.
20. Şahal M, Terzi OS, Ceylan E, et al (2018): Buzağı ishalleri ve korunma yöntemleri. Lalahan Hayvancılık Araştırma Enstitüsü Dergisi, 58, 41-49.
21. Shivley C, Lombard J, Urie N, et al (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, 9185-9198.
22. Stott G, Marx D, Menefee B, et al (1979): Colostral immunoglobulin transfer in calves I. Period of absorption. Journal of Dairy Science, 62, 1632-1638.
23. Tao S, Monteiro A, Thompson I, et al (2012): Effect of late-gestation maternal heat stress on growth and immune function of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 7128-7136.
24. Thu Hang BP, Dicksved J, Sjaunja KS, et al (2017): Colostrum quality, IgG absorption and daily weight gain of calves in small-scale dairy production systems in Southern Vietnam. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 49, 1143-1147.
25. Weaver DM, Tyler JW, VanMetre DC, et al (2000): Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 14, 569-577.
26. West JW (2003): Effects of heat-stress on production in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 86, 2131-2144.
27. Windeyer M, Leslie K, Godden S, et al (2012): The effects of viral vaccination of dairy heifer calves on the incidence of respiratory disease, mortality, and growth. Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 6731-6739.
28. Zentrich E, Iwersen M, Wiedrich MC, et al (2019): Effect of barn climate and management-related factors on bovine colostrum quality. Journal of Dairy Science, 102, 7453-7458.