Research Article: Hyoscine N-butylbromide administration before colostrum feeding improves passive transfer in dairy calves
Abstract:
This study evaluated whether hyoscine N-butylbromide administration before colostrum feeding could influence colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption and passive transfer in neonatal Jersey calves. Eighteen clinically healthy calves were allocated to a control group ( n =?6) or a hyoscine N-butylbromide-treated group ( n =?12). Treated calves received hyoscine N-butylbromide at 0.4?mg/kg intramuscularly 15–30?min before the first colostrum feeding. All calves received high-quality maternal colostrum (Brix ?25%) within 6?h after birth. Serum Brix was measured at 48?h, and the same serum samples were analyzed for IgG, total protein, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and glucose. Treated calves had higher serum Brix than controls at 48?h (10.96?±?0.81 vs. 9.53?±?0.7%; p =?0.002). Serum IgG was also higher in treated calves at 48?h (3,243?±?794 vs. 2,175?±?1,150?mg/dL; p =?0.034), whereas total protein, GGT, and glucose did not differ between groups ( p ??0.217). These preliminary findings suggest that hyoscine N-butylbromide administration before colostrum feeding may be associated with improved passive transfer indicators in neonatal calves; however, confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies is required.
Introduction:
The transfer of maternal immunoglobulins across the placenta in cattle is prevented by the synepitheliochorial placental structure, which consists of six tissue layers separating the maternal and fetal circulations ( 1 ). As a result of this physiological barrier, calves are born agammaglobulinemic and become entirely dependent on colostrum intake after birth to acquire systemic immunity ( 2 , 3 ). In addition, bovine colostrum contains immunoglobulins and several bioactive constituents that contribute not only to…
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