Effect of a Whey Protein Concentrate Used as a Colostrum Substitute or Supplement on Calf Immunity, Weight Gain, and Health

¹ Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
² Agricultural University, Zodiac, Marijkeweg 40, Wageningen, The Netherlands
³ Teagasc, National Dairy Products Research Centre, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland

The efficacy of a whey protein concentrate was evaluated as a colostrum substitute or supplement in two experiments using four groups of 29 calves. In Experiment 1, calves were fed either 2 L of pooled colostrum (group 1) or 500 g of whey protein concentrate (group 2). A mean total of 123.6 and 17.7 g of Ig was fed to calves in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean serum IgG, total protein, and globulin concentrations and Ig antibody activities to Escherichia coli K99 and rotavirus were significantly higher for calves in group 1 at 24 to 36 h and at 3 wk of age. Weight gain from birth to 3 wk of age was significantly lower for calves in group 2. The incidence of diarrhea was high but not different between treatments. The mortality rate (0 to 3 wk) was significantly higher for calves in group 2 (27.6%) than for calves in group 1 (3.4%). In Experiment 2, calves were fed either 2 L of pooled colostrum (group 3) or a solution of 1 L of pooled colostrum plus 500 g of whey protein concentrate (group 4). A mean total of 117.2 and 69.1 g of Ig was fed to calves in groups 3 and 4, respectively. Absorption rate of IgG was significantly lower for calves in group 4.

Mean serum IgG, total protein, and globulin concentrations and Ig antibody activities to E. coli K99 and rotavirus were significantly higher for calves in group 3 at 24 to 36 h and at 3 wk of age. Mortality rate, BW gain, and incidence of diarrhea did not differ significantly between groups.

Key Words: whey protein concentrate • calf immunity • weight gain • diarrhea

Submitted on May 17, 1995
Accepted on January 9, 1996

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. W. Smith and D. M. Foster Short Communication: Absorption of Protein and Immunoglobulin G in Calves Fed a Colostrum Replacer J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2007; 90(6): 2905 - 2908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Castro, J. Capote, L. Morales, E. Quesada, H. Briggs, and A. Arguello Short Communication: Addition of Milk Replacer to Colostrum Whey: Effect on Immunoglobulin G Passive Transfer in Majorera Kids J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2007; 90(5): 2347 - 2349. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C. R. C. Porto, L. L. Oliveira, L. C. Ferraz, L. E. S. Ferraz, S. M. O. Thomaz, J. C. Rosa, and M. C. Roque-Barreira Isolation of Bovine Immunoglobulins Resistant to Peptic Digestion: New Perspectives in the Prevention of Failure in Passive Immunization of Neonatal Calves J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2007; 90(2): 955 - 962. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Lake, E. J. Scholljegerdes, W. T. Small, E. L. Belden, S. I. Paisley, D. C. Rule, and B. W. Hess Immune response and serum immunoglobulin G concentrations in beef calves suckling cows of differing body condition score at parturition and supplemented with high-linoleate or high-oleate safflower seeds J Anim Sci, April 1, 2006; 84(4): 997 - 1003. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kushibiki, H. Shingu, T. Komatsu, F. Itoh, T. Hayashi, and K. Hodate Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Preruminant Calves Fed Whole Milk with Whey Protein Isolate J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2005; 88(2): 653 - 659. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. M. Santoro, P. S. Erickson, N. L. Whitehouse, A. M. McLaughlin, C. G. Schwab, and J. D. Quigley III Evaluation of a Colostrum Supplement, With or Without Trypsin Inhibitor, and an Egg Protein Milk Replacer for Dairy Calves J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2004; 87(6): 1739 - 1746. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Jones, R. E. James, J. D. Quigley III, and M. L. McGilliard Influence of Pooled Colostrum or Colostrum Replacement on IgG and Evaluation of Animal Plasma in Milk Replacer J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2004; 87(6): 1806 - 1814. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Hammer, J. D. Quigley, L. Ribeiro, and H. D. Tyler Characterization of a Colostrum Replacer and a Colostrum Supplement Containing IgG Concentrate and Growth Factors J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2004; 87(1): 106 - 111. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]