Investigation of the relationship of colostral pentraxin-3 level with neonatal calf health and passive transfer immunity

This study was conducted to investigate the role of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) in neonatal calf health, colostrum quality, and passive immunity transfer, as well as its time-dependent changes. The relationship between neonatal calf health and serum PTX-3 (sPTX-3) was examined in Group I calves (n=80), while the time-dependent changes in calf serum and colostrum/milk PTX-3 concentrations, along with their relationship with immunoglobulin G (IgG), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), were evaluated in Group II (15 calves and their mothers). Neonatal calf health was monitored daily during the neonatal period. In Group I calves (n=80), sPTX-3 levels were 2.61 (0.05–3.92) ng/ml, and serum IgG (sIgG) levels were 4.86 (0.99–10.86) mg/ml. A positive correlation was found between these two parameters (p=0.003). When sPTX-3 and sIgG concentrations were compared based in terms of disease status, healthy calves had higher concentrations (p<0.05). Calves with sPTX-3 concentrations below 3 ng/ml had a 12.5 times higher risk of disease (p=0.0006). In Group II calves, sPTX-3 and sIgG levels at 0 hours were 1.18 (0.45–1.89) ng/ml and 0.24 (0.05–1.69) mg/ml, respectively. Significant decreases in both parameters were observed on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 (p<0.05). Similar time-dependent declines were also detected in colostrum/milk PTX-3 and IgG concentrations. Parallel trends were observed in serum and colostrum/milk IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations (p<0.05), and these parameters were found to correlate with sPTX-3 on certain days. In conclusion, sPTX-3 concentrations during the neonatal period showed a parallel change with sIgG, and colostrum intake significantly increased sPTX-3 concentrations. This increase was associated with a reduced risk of disease in calves. The findings suggest that PTX-3 may play an important role in neonatal calf health and passive transfer of immunity.