The Effects of Maternal Diet on Passive Transfer of Immunity to the Neonatal Beef Calf, and Calf Immune Response to Vaccination and Immunostimulants

Abstract

To investigate the effects of maternal diet on passive transfer of immunity to the neonatal beef calf, and calf immune response to vaccination and immunostimulants, three experiments (Exp.) were completed. Results from Exp. 1 indicated that there was no effect of supplemental starch to cows on colostrum production, offspring birth weight, incidence of dystocia, respiratory acidosis, and the passive transfer of immunity. Results from Exp. 2 indicated that both the needle – free injection devices (NFs) and needle and syringe (NS) initiate a haptoglobin (Hp) inflammatory response (P < 0.001). After injection bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type 2 antibody titers continually declined from d 0, 7, 28, and 115 across both NS and NF treatment groups (P < 0.001). After secondary booster vaccination on d 115, BVDV type 2 antibody titers significantly increased by d 143 (P < 0.001). The use of NFs will maintain a level of immunity that has been seen by the use of conventional NS vaccine administration methods. In Exp. 3, treatments containing a modified live vaccine (MLV) antigen initiated an Hp inflammatory response over time (P < 0.001). Interferon gamma was not significantly different across treatment over time (P = 0.39); however, there was a threefold increase in treatment three over time. Treatments containing a MLV BVDV antigen maintained BVDV type 2 antibodies over time (P <0.001). Feed intake and feeding behavior were unaffected by the use of the vaccine and/or immunostimulant.