Investigation of Passive Immunity Levels in Calves from Pregnant Cattle Vaccinated with a Bovine Rotavirus Vaccine for the Prevention of Neonatal Calf Diarrhea

Abstract

In this study, the level of Bovine Rotavirus (BRV) specific immunity in pregnant cows vaccinated with the inactivated polyvalent commercial vaccine and the status of BRV-specific passive immunity in their newborn calves was investigated. For this purpose, a total of 20 pregnant cows, 10 of which were vaccinated (Group I) and 10 of which were not vaccinated (Group II), were used. Cows in Group I were vaccinated twice during the last six weeks of pregnancy, with a 21-day (3-week) interval between vaccinations, according to the instructions in the commercial vaccine (Rocodoll®, Dollvet, Turkey) package insert. In parallel with both vaccinations, blood and colostrum/milk samples were collected from cows in Groups I and II on the day of parturition (day 1) and on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after parturition. Blood samples were also taken from the calves born to these cows before colostrum intake (day 1) and on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. All collected blood and colostrum/milk samples were tested for the presence and titres of BRV specific antibodies using the indirect ELISA method. The presence and titres of antibodies in blood serum and colostrum/milk samples of vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant cows, as well as the level of passive immunity in their newborn calves, were determined. Exposure to the disease in unvaccinated animals was also assessed. A significant increase in BRV-specific antibody response (ranging from ≥1/1024 to 1/256) was detected in all vaccinated pregnant cows. In parallel, the level of BRV passive immunity was high (ranging from 1/1024 to 1/128) in neonatal calves born to vaccinated cows that received colostrum. It was observed that three pregnant cows in the non-vaccinated group developed natural BRV infection, and maternal antibodies were subsequently transferred from these cows to their calves. In conclusion, it was revealed that administering two doses of the BRV vaccine to cows in late pregnancy, according to the recommended procedure, was beneficial in preventing BRV-induced neonatal calf diarrhea through maternal immunity.

Keywords

• Bovine Rotavirus
• Cattle
• Maternal Immunity
• Neonatal Calf
• Vaccine

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