Randomized controlled clinical trial on the effect of oral immunoglobulin supplementation on neonatal dairy calves with diarrhea

Chung, James J.; Rayburn, Maire C.; Chigerwe, Munashe

growth-like factor, 2 epidermal growth factor, 3 transforming growth factor-β, 4 and platelet-derived growth factor. 1 Colostral immunoglobulins provide defense in both treatment and prevention of viral and bacterial infections, whereas growth factors promote gut integrity and mucosal recovery in cattle with diarrhea 5 through differentiation of both immature and mature cells in the gastrointestinal tract. [6] [7] [8] Consequently, the benefits of feeding bovine colostrum or colostrum supplements in human patients with diarrhea have been investigated with variable outcomes. Oral supplementation with a bovine colostrum supplement in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection-associated diarrhea results in a dramatic decrease in stool evacuations per day, decrease in self-estimated fatigue, and an increase in body weight. 9 In contrast, supplementation with bovine colostrum in human patients with short bowel syndrome results in an increase in diarrhea with no improvement in intestinal absorption. 10 Diarrhea is the most common disease condition in preweaned dairy calves in the United States, accounting for 56.4% of deaths. 11 In nonsick calves, oral supplementation with immunoglobulin G (IgG) from 2 to 14 days of age reduced frequency of occurrence of diarrhea, and improved daily weight gain. 12 Oral administration of colostrum or immunoglobulin supplements might provide local immunity in the gastrointestinal tract of calves, thereby reducing frequency and/or preventing the occurrence of diarrhea.