Comparison of freezing and lyophilizing for preservation of colostrum as a source of immunoglobulins for calves.

Lyophilizing was compared to freezing as a method of colostrum storage. Eight lots of colostrum from the first milking were divided into two equal parts; one was frozen, and the other was lyophilized. Twenty-two newborn calves were divided into two groups and fed either 2 L of frozen and thawed colostrum or 2 L of reconstituted lyophilized colostrum. The calves were bled at 12, 18, 24, and 72 h after feeding, and levels of the immunoglobulins IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA were determined with a radial immunodiffusion assay, in colostrum and sera. The mean concentration of individual immunoglobulin isotypes in the sera of calves fed either frozen or lyophilized colostrum did not differ significantly. Calves fed from the same lots of colostrum had similar immunoglobulin concentrations in their sera, irrespective of the method of storage. All immunoglobulin isotypes were absorbed with equal efficiency from frozen and lyophilized colostrum as determined by calculation of the absorption coefficient.

[The quantitative passage of immunoglobulins from the intestine into the blood vessels in newborn lambs]. / Untersuchungen zum quantitativen Ubergang von Immunoglobulinen aus dem Darm in die Blutbahn neugeborener Lämmer.

A trial with 69 lambs examined the effect of the feeding regime on the transfer of colostral immunoglobulins from the intestinal lumen to the circulating blood. The lambs received 125 ml of bovine colostral milk per kg birth weight at each feeding in the first 24 hours after birth. There were four experimental groups. Feeding intervals were either 2 or 6 hours and the milk was administered with or without doubling the fluid volume by addition of tap water. Serum concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA were measured during the experimental period and the transport efficiency index for each isotype was calculated. The transport efficiency index represents the relationship between the amount of immunoglobulin administered in colostral milk and the concentration measured in the blood. Feeding in 2 hour intervals produced maximum immunoglobulin concentrations at 30 hours, while 6 hour feeding intervals achieved the same maximal levels at 24 hours. The relative proportions of the four immunoglobulin isotypes measured in the blood were unaffected by the feeding interval. Doubling the fluid volume administered while holding the absolute amount of colostral milk constant, resulted in a disproportionate increase in blood IgG1 concentration as compared to the other isotypes. Concentrations for IgG2, IgM and IgA remained essentially the same as those achieved with undiluted colostral milk. The feeding regimes tested did not affect endogenous immunoglobulin synthesis, growth rate or the health of the lambs.

[The "waiting period" for follow-up administration of bovine colostrum to newborn lambs]. / Untersuchungen über "Wartezeiten" mit anschliessender Verabreichung von Rinderkolostralmilch bei neugeborenen Lämmern.

Extent and duration of the permeability of the small intestine of newborn lambs for intact proteins from cow's colostrum was analyzed in five groups of animals. Cow's colostrum in quantities of 200 ml/kg birth weight, was offered in 3-hr intervals for 24 hrs, beginning either immediately after birth or after fasting, for 12 and 24 hrs respectively. In two groups each either 5% glucose solution or saline was offered to the fasting animals. The following results were obtained: 1. All lambs fed immediately after birth drank eagerly. The intake in all fasting groups dropped between 12 and 24 hrs of the feeding period. 2. While the duration of the permeation of the small intestine for intact proteins remained unaffected by the various regimens, fasting with or without supplementation decreased the maxima. 3. The decrease in protein permeation was class-depending as demonstrated by the lower levels of bovine IgM in the sera of fasting lambs. 4. The permeability of the small intestine for proteins was substantially reduced by 5% glucose. The difference between fasting lambs or lambs with saline substitution was minimal. 5. All lambs fed immediately after birth survived. The losses in the other groups amounted to 29% after 12 hrs of starving, 33% after 24 hrs of starving, 30% after starving with glucose supplementation and 50% after saline solution. 6. The surviving animals showed no differences in weight gain.

[Necessary care of newborn lambs using ovine colostrum. 2. Duration of administration]. / Erforderliche Versorgung neugeborener Lämmer mit Schafskolostralmilch. 2. Mitteilung: Verabreichungsdauer.

Sheep colostrum, pooled from 0-12 h milkings, was fed to 38 newborn lambs for either 6, 12, 18 or 24 hrs after birth. The influence of the duration of feeding periods on the transintestinal passage of immunoglobulins, the growth performance, the loss rate and the onset of immunoglobulin synthesis were investigated by monitoring the serum concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA during months 1 through 9 of life. Feeding of 3 portions of 100 ml at 2 h intervals resulted in lower serum levels of Ig's than the extension of the feeding to 12 x 100 ml every second hour. There was, however, no difference in the onset of endogenous Ig production between both groups. Growth performance and the loss rate were also identical.

[Necessary provision of newborn lambs with sheep colostrum]. / Erforderliche Versorgung neugeborener Lämmer mit Schafskolostralmilch. 1. Mitteilung: Verabreichungsintervall.

Twenty new-born lambs of each of the breeds Schwarzkopf, Texel and Finnish were fed with 600 ml of pooled colostrum (0-12 h) on the first day of life. The total allocation was fed in portions ranging from 25 to 150 ml at intervals of 1, 2, 3, or 6 hours. The effect of the different intervals and portion volumes on the transintestinal passage of immunoglobulins, the onset of endogenous synthesis, the growth performance of the lambs and the mortality rate was investigated. The concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA in the sera were analyzed over the course of a nine-week period. 1. The extent of passive immunization by transintestinal passage remained essentially unaffected by different feeding schedules. 2. There was also no effect on the onset of endogenous Ig synthesis. 3. Growth performance and mortality rate likewise showed no discernible differences.

[The absorption of colostral immunoglobulins in newborn piglets. III. Influence of the duration of colostrum administration]. / Untersuchungen über die Absorption der kolostralen Immunglobuline bei neugeborenen Ferkeln. III. Mitteilung: Einfluss der Verabreichungsdauer der Kolostralmilch.

The gastrointestinal tract of newborn piglets is permeable for intact immunoglobulins ingested with the colostrum. The duration of this passage was investigated by administering hourly rations of 25 ml of either porcine or bovine colostrum for 6, 12, 18 or 24 hrs after birth. The plasma concentrations of the subclasses porcine IgG, IgM and IgA or bovine IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA were determined at 12, 18 and 24 hrs after birth and on days 3 and 6. Feeding periods of 6 hrs resulted in plasma Ig levels of the same order of magnitude as observed in natural rearing. These levels were not substantially increased after prolonged feeding. The 6% gain from 6 to 12 feedings seen with porcine colostrum as compared with a gain of 24% for bovine colostrum points at an earlier closure of the intestinal wall for the species-specific proteins. There was no further increase of Ig permeation after 12 hourly feedings. Growth performances and losses were identical in all groups.

[The absorption of colostral immunoglobulins in newborn piglets. II. Effect of water or glucose solutions on the permeability of the newborn intestine]. / Untersuchungen über die Absorption der kolostralen Immunoglobuline bei neugeborenen Ferkeln. II. Mitteilung: Einfluss von Wasser oder von Glukoselösung auf die Durchlässigkeit des neugeborenendarmes.

The extent and the duration of the passage of intact proteins from the intestinal lumen into the bloodstream of newborn piglets was investigated. A total of 48 piglets from 4 litters were used in groups of 6 animals per experiment. The piglets were removed from the sow immediately after birth and placed in individual boxes of an automatic feeding device. Liquids were offered in trays, access to which was controlled by electronically operated gates. Volumes of 25 ml were allotted in hourly intervals. Porcine colostrum (6 x 25 ml) or bovine colostrum (24 x 25 ml) were either offered immediately, or after a 24 h fasting period without or with access to tap water. Two groups received 24 hourly rations of a 13 % glucose solution prior to the onset of feeding with porcine and bovine colostrum, respectively. The plasma levels of immunoglobulins were assessed by radial diffusion in blood samples drawn from a subcutaneous abdominal vein. The passage of intact proteins ceases between 12-18 hrs after the onset of feeding. Both the time course of the passage and the maximal levels achieved are unaffected after previous fasting or after tap water allowances only for 24 hrs. Previously fed glucose solution--in contrast--closes the gut barrier to subsequently ingested proteins. There was no difference in the postexperimental weight developments between groups.

[The absorption of colostral immunoglobulins in newborn piglets. I. Effect of time from birth to the first feeding]. / Untersuchungen über die Absorption der kolostralen Immunglobuline bei neugeborenen Ferkeln. I. Mitteilung: Einfluss der Zeit von der Geburt bis zur ersten Nahrungsaufnahme.

The effects of a delayed onset of feeding on the absorption of intact immunoglobulins from the small intestines was investigated in newborn piglets by using an automatic device ("artificial sow"). Fasting periods extended to a maximum of 24 hours and were followed by 12 hourly allotments of 25 ml of sow colostrum. The concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A and M were analyzed in plasma samples drawn before and after the onset of feeding. The capacity for Ig-absorption was not impaired by the fasting. The same plasma levels of 12 and 18 hours after the onset of feeding were obtained in piglets fed immediately after birth as observed with individual variations in all experimental groups, for which we could find no explanation. Our results indicate, that the absorptive ability of the intestinal epithelia for immunoglobulins is not timed from birth but rather from the onset of feeding.

Maternal-neonatal immunoregulation: suppression of de novo synthesis of IgG and IgA, but not IgM, in neonatal pigs by bovine colostrum, is lost upon storage.

Fifty-four neonatal pigs were allotted to 4 groups and reared in an electrically controlled automatic feeding device (autosow). Each group was reared on a different pool of bovine colostrum: fresh, stored 1 month, stored 6 months, and stored 8 years. Bovine and porcine immunoglobulins in the sera of these pigs, and in a group of conventionally reared pigs, were measured periodically during the first 42 days after birth. The maximal concentration of absorbed bovine immunoglobulin was reached between 12 and 18 hours and equaled or exceeded the amount of porcine immunoglobulin absorbed by the conventionally reared pigs. Large differences in the concentrations of the bovine immunoglobulin isotypes among the various pools of colostrum were positively correlated with concentration of these isotypes in the sera of the neonatal pigs fed these pools. Relative to their concentrations in colostrum, approximately 41% of the IgG1, 55% of the IgG2, 29% of the IgM, and 67% of the IgA was absorbed. The IgA was absorbed the best and IgM was least absorbed. Significant trends or differences in absorption were not observed among groups. Neonatal pigs given fresh colostrum, which had a higher fat content, had significantly more weight gain (P less than 0.05). This occurred, despite the fact that the fresh colostrum had the lowest concentration of bovine immunoglobulin. Serum half-lives for bovine IgG1 and IgG2 were significantly less than for porcine IgG (P less than 0.05), whereas the half-lives for bovine and porcine IgM and IgA were similar. De novo-synthesized immunoglobulins were detectable in serum after 6 days; IgM concentrations reached a maximum at 15 days in neonatal pigs given stored, but not fresh, colostrum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)