Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1997

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Science

Major Professor

J.D. Quigley III

Committee Members

F. Hopkins, M. Welborn, D. Geiser

Abstract

Absorption of colostral Ig within the first 24 h of life provides the neonate with passive immunity. Delayed first feeding of colostrum, low colostral Ig concentration or compromised metabolic state may reduce the apparent efficiency of Ig absorption (AEA) calculated as the mass of Ig in plasma (g) divided by Ig intake (g). Objectives of this study were to determine if elevated arterial pCO2 (PaCO2) in blood reduced AEA in calves and to determine if assisted ventilation of animals with elevated PaCO2 increased AEA. Holstein calves (n = 48) from primiparous and multiparous dams were separated at birth and blood was collected at 1 h and analyzed for PaCO2, arterial pO2 (PaO2), arterial pH (pHa), arterial actual bicarbonate (HCO3-), and base excess. Three treatments were assigned based on PaCO2 at I h: non respiratory acidosis (NA, n = 19), respiratory acidosis-not ventilated (ANV; n = 17), and respiratory acidosis-ventilated (AV; n = 12). Assisted ventilation was administered via Ambu Bag™ with mask at 1.5 h. Calves received 12 assisted breaths per min for 5 min. Post ventilation blood gas analysis indicated this method reduced PaCO2. Mean I h PaCO2 for calves on NA, ANV and AV treatments were 45.52, 53.04, and 53.22 (SE = 0.71) mm of Hg, respectively. Blood was sampled by jugular venipuncture at I, 13, 25, 37, and 49 h for analysis of plasma IgG by single radial immunodiffusion. Evans' blue dye (1.5 ml) was injected into the jugular vein for estimation of plasma volume and AEA. Treatment had no effect on AEA at 25 h, plasma IgG at 13,25 or 37 h or plasma volume at 25 h (P > 0.10). Mean AEA, plasma IgG and plasma volume at 25 h of age were 26% (SE = 1.5), 11.73 g/L (SE = 0.50) and 3 .422 L (SE = 0.001), respectively. Regression of AEA and plasma IgG on PaCO2 at 1 h indicated no effect of 1 h PaCO2 on IgG absorption. Results from this study indicate that acquisition of passive immunity was not inhibited by elevated PaCO2 at 1 h.

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