Acta Agronómica (Jul 2009)
Utilización de indicadores metabólicos en la valoración de la transferencia de inmunidad pasiva en neonatos bovinos Assessment of the passive transference of immunity in calves through metabolic indicators
Abstract
Resumen Para determinar la utilidad de la actividad sérica de la fosfatasa alcalina (FA) y las proteínas séricas totales (PST) como indicadores de transferencia de inmunidad en terneros por el consumo de calostro en sus primeros días de vida, en un hato del trópico bajo de Colombia se escogieron al azar 15 vacas de las razas Gyr, Brahaman y el cruce Gyr x Holstein y sus respectivos terneros. En las vacas se recolectaron aproximadamente 300 ml de calostro el primer día del parto para determinar sólidos totales, proteína total y cenizas. En los terneros se tomaron muestras de sangre sin anticoagulante mediante venipunción yugular los días 0, 4, 12 y 30 posnacimiento. La concentración de las PST se determinó por refractometría y la FA mediante colorimetría enzimática. Se encontró relación alta y significativa (P Fifteen bovines and their calves were chosen randomly in order to determine the usefulness of the Alkaline phosphatase's (ALP) seric activity and the total seric proteins (TSP) as indicators of transference of immunity in calves through colostrums' consumption in their first days of life. Three hundred ml (300 ml) of colostrums of the first day after delivery were collected from the cows. In it total solids, crude protein and ashes were found. Blood samples without anticoagulant and through jugular venipuncture were taken from the calves on the 0, 4, 12, and 30th day after delivery. The concentration of the TSP was determined through refractometry, while the ALP was determined through the enzymatic colourimetric assay. A high and statistically significant relationship between the percentages of crude protein of the colostrums and the total solids was found, thus, it can be concluded that just one measurement is valid in order to study both indicators. The effect of time on the concentrations of TSP as well as on the enzymatic activity was evaluated through the use of ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). In the TSP there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) on the 30th day, day in which the lowest concentration occurred. Average values, higher than 4.5 g/dl of the TSP were found which may indicate that the calves developed passive immunity through colostrums’ consumption. The ALP enzymatic activity decreased progressively during the period of study, showing a significant difference on the day zero (p < 0.05) however, it was not proved that the ALP can be used as a direct indicator of the PTI.
