[Immunoglobulin transfer in the viable, newborn calf].

Parturitions of 26 dairy-cows were observed and the viability of the newborn calves assessed. Immediately after birth as well as after the first and forth colostrum intake a blood probe was taken from the neonates and investigated for the following parameters: blood gas, blood picture, total-IG, concentrations of IGG1, IGM and IGE, total proteins and albumin. Before each feeding a colostrum sample was assayed for the same parameters with the exception of blood gas, blood picture and albumin. A transferindex (KLOBASA et al., 1994) was calculated to investigate the absorption of TP, IG, IGG1, IGM and IGE. In some of the blood samples there was no IGE detectable, even after colostrum intake. High individual differences were striking and blood concentrations were not related to the milk contents or the time until first feeding. The total proteins were strongly correlated to the serum concentrations of IGG1, but only in samples taken after first colostrum feeding. Vital calves showed the following tendency: colostrum intake of less than 1 l within the first 15 hours after birth and/or colostrum intake with TP-concentrations of 80 I.U./l was partly compensated by increased absorption of TP. 24 hours after birth serum-immunoglobulinconcentrations were 6-12 mg/ml; weight gain was normal and no calf became ill. In 60% of cases the transferindex for IGM was higher than for IGG1 or IGE.