Weak calf syndrome: serum immunoglobulin concentrations in precolostral calves.

Serum immunoglobulin concentrations in precolostral calves affected with weak calf syndrome (WCS), clinically normal calves, and calves which were congenitally infected during the 3rd trimester of gestation with microbial agents isolated from calves with WCS were determined by the quantitative radial immunodiffusion test. Significant difference was not seen in immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G concentrations between serums obtained from precolostral calves affected with WCS and clinically normal calves. However, immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G concentrations for precolostral calves which were congenitally infected were significantly greater (14 and 5 times, respectively) than those in serums from normal calves.