O. E. Samsonova, K. N. Lobanov
Michurinsk State Agrarian University, ul. Internatsional’naya, 101, Michurinsk, Tambovskaya obl., 393764, Russian Federation
Abstract. Passive transport of colostric immunoglobulins is essential for calves to maintain optimal health. Their absorption is influenced by many factors such as the density of colostrum, the time of intake, the volume of colostrum, and the method of feeding. The purpose of the research was to study two methods of calves colostrum feeding (esophageal feeding and feeding from a sucking bottle) on the amount of absorbed immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA). Two groups of calves were formed for the experiments. Animal units of the first group were fed colostrum through the esophageal tube (n=15), in the second group – through a nipple-bottle (n=15). The average content of total protein in the blood of calves fed through a bottle with a nipple was 56.3 g/l, and in calves fed through an esophageal tube it was 51.6 g/l. Over the entire period of the experiment, the average daily gain in live weight of experimental calves, which were fed colostrum through a nipple drinker, was 923.4 g, which was 40.1 g or 4.5% more than in individuals fed with an esophageal tube. It has been statistically proven that the absorption of immunoglobulins is higher when using a bottle with a nipple: their content in the blood serum of calves of this group 24 hours after the first feeding was higher than when fed through an esophageal tube, by 7.5 mg/ml or 59.1% (P≥0.999), 48 hours after birth – by 3.30 mg/ml (P≥0.95). Bottle feeding is more natural for calves, as colostrum is gradually supplied by sucking on the bottle.
Keywords: calves; total protein; feeding; colostrum; immunity; method.
Author Details: O. E. Samsonova, Cand. Sc. (Agr.), assoc. prof. (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); K. N. Lobanov, Cand. Sc. (Agr.), assoc. prof.
For citation: Samsonova OE, Lobanov KN. [Influence of colostrum feeding technique on the formation of colostric immunity in calves]. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2022;36(12):45-9. Russian. doi: 10.53859/02352451_2022_36_12_45.