Prevalence of failure of passive transfer of immunity in newborn heifer calves and associated management practices on US dairy operations

• Published in: Journal of dairy science Vol. 92; no. 8; pp. 3973 - 3980
• Main Authors: Beam, A.L., Lombard, J.E., Kopral, C.A., Garber, L.P., Winter, A.L., Hicks, J.A., Schlater, J.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2009; American Dairy Science Association; Am Dairy Sci Assoc
• Subjects: animal health; animal husbandry; Animals; Animals, Newborn - immunology; blood chemistry; calf management; calves; calving; Cattle - immunology; Colostrum - immunology; cow colostrum; dairy calf; dairy cattle; Dairying - statistics & numerical data; dystocia; ease of birth; failure of passive transfer of immunity; farm surveys; Female; heat; heifers; Immunization, Passive - statistics & numerical data; Immunization, Passive - veterinary; immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - blood; lactation; Logistic Models; maternal immunity; morbidity; mortality; neonates; passive immunity; Prevalence; risk factor; Surveys and Questionnaires; temporal variation; United States - epidemiology; United States; failure of passive transfer of immunity; immunoglobulin G; risk factor; dairy calf
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2225

Failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) in dairy replacement calves has been linked to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term decreases in productivity. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves in 2007 and to use nationally representative data to investigate associations of FPT with colostrum and calf management practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted by the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System between January and August 2007. Producers from 394 operations in 17 states completed survey questions about colostrum and calf management practices, and serum samples were collected from 1,816 healthy heifer calves on those operations. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion, and calves were classified as having FPT if the IgG concentration was less than 10mg/mL. To investigate associations between FPT and management practices, a multivariable analysis was completed using a weighted logistic regression model. The estimated prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves was 19.2%. The odds of FPT were higher for calves on operations that pooled colostrum [odds ratio (OR = 2.2)], allowed nursing (OR = 2.4), or hand fed colostrum more than 4h after birth (OR = 2.7). The odds of FPT were also higher for calves on operations that did not provide a source of heat during cold weather for calves experiencing a dystocia (OR = 1.6), would not seek veterinary assistance when unable to correctly position a calf for delivery (OR = 2.6), or did not routinely monitor serum proteins in calves as a measure of passive transfer (OR = 13.8). The prevalence of FPT in dairy heifer calves has decreased in the last 15 yr, so progress has been made in this important area of calf management. This study identified several management practices associated with FPT that could be targeted for educational campaigns or further research.