TiHo Bibliothek elib - Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover

VII. Summary
Dietary treatments had no effect on immunoglobulin plasma levels. IgG1, IgG2 and
IgM were detectable in colostrum in which the ratio IgG1:IgG2:IgM was 4:2:1. Heifers
showed the highest amounts of IgG1 and the lowest amounts of IgG2 in colostrum.
These findings do not agree with the common literature, which could be due to the
determination technique used in most of the studies (sRid). In addition, especially in
older animals an effect of dilution cannot be excluded.
In calves, low plasma levels of all examinated immunoglobulins could be detected
even before their first colostral uptake. These results indicate, that calves are able to
synthezise small amounts of immunoglobulins even ante partum.
Further studies should be conducted to examine the influence of negative energy
balance on cellular components of the immune system.
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