Effect of Calving Time on Serum Total Protein Concentration and Passive Immunity Transfer in Calves

Background: Long-term productivity and the health of newborn calves depend on the successful transfer of passive immunity (TPI). The impact of management and physiological factors related to the particular time of birth are less well studied than colostrum quality and volume. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine how calving time affected the concentration of serum total protein (STP) and the effectiveness of passive immunity transfer in newborn Holstein calves. Methods: A commercial dairy farm's ۱۰۷ Holstein calves were under observation. Four groups of calves were formed according to the time of their birth: Group ۱ (۰۶:۰۰-۱۱:۵۹ h), Group ۲ (۱۲:۰۰-۱۷:۵۹ h), Group ۳ (۱۸:۰۰-۲۳:۵۹ h), and Group ۴ (۰۰:۰۰-۰۵:۵۹ h). A handheld optical refractometer was used to measure the STP concentrations in blood samples that were taken ۴۸ hours after the colostrum was administered. Bonferroni post-hoc tests and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: Calving time significantly influenced STP concentrations (P<۰.۰۵). Calves born during daylight intervals exhibited significantly higher STP levels (Group ۱: ۷.۲۴±۰.۵۱ g/dL; Group ۲: ۷.۱۲±۰.۷۲ g/dL) compared to those born during night-time shifts (Group ۳: ۶.۶۲±۰.۶۶ g/dL; Group ۴: ۶.۵۹±۰.۴۷ g/dL) (P<۰.۰۵). No statistically significant difference was observed between Groups ۱ and ۲ (P>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The effectiveness of passive immunity transfer is greatly impacted by the timing of birth, most likely as a result of a combination of possible circadian physiological variations and management quality during various shifts. In order to guarantee the best possible calf welfare during nighttime calvings, these results emphasize the necessity of increased monitoring and standardized colostrum protocols.

کلیدواژه ها:

Calf ، Serum total protein ، Failure of passive transfer ، Colostrum ، Circadian rhythm