The effects of colostrum brix value and blood serum protein and immunoglobulin levels on growth traits, survival ability and some health parameters of calves

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of colostrum brix and at 36th hour, 28th day and 90th day serum total protein (TP) and immunoglobulin (IgG) levels of calves on growth traits and survival ability of calves. The material of the study consisted of 47 Holstein Friesian and 21 Simmental cows and calves calving in a private dairy farm in 2021 and 2022 years in Kırşehir province. In the study, the effect of breed on colostrum brix was only significant (P<0.01). Serum TP and IgG levels of calves at 36th hour (P<0.01) and 90th day (P<0.05) differed according to the birth season. Only colostrum brix and 36th hour serum TP and IgG levels of calves differed according to birth type and colostrum weight groups (P<0.05). The effect of the amount of first drink colostrum on serum TP and IgG levels of calves at 36th hour (P<0.01), 28th day (P<0.05) and 90th day (P<0.01), except for colostrum brix (P>0.05), was found to be significant. Only the 36th hour serum TP and IgG levels of the calves differed according to the calf standing time groups (P<0.05). Except for the fat content in colostrum (P>0.05), the effect of solids-not-fat (SNF), protein and lactose content on colostrum brix and 36th hour and 28th day serum TP and IgG of calves was statically significant (P<0.05). In this study, colostrum brix and serum TP and IgG levels of calves at 36th hour, 28th day and 90th day on live weight (LW), withers height (WH), rump height (RH) and body length (BL) of calves were determined statistically significant effect (P<0.05). In the study, serum TP and IgG levels were found to be lower in the 36th hour and 28th day calves who had diarrhea and pneumonia in the 0-28 day age period (P<0.05). In conclusion, in this study, it can be said that calves should consume sufficient amount and quality of colostrum as soon as possible after birth to ensure sufficient passive transfer in calves and accordingly to increase growth performance and survival ability. Keywords: Calf, Colostrum, Immunoglobulin G, Growth, Survival ability