Measurement of transfer of colostral passive immunity in dairy calves

Submitted 2020-07-03 | Accepted 2020-09-08 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.190-196The administration of high quality colostrum reduces preweaning morbidity, mortality and, therefore, economic losses related to replacement animals. It also stimulates and improves calf growth, increasing milk production and longevity of the future dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of breed and parity of the dam on colostrum quality, and of breed and gender of the calf, and time from calf birth to the administration of the first colostrum meal on the transfer of passive immunity to the calf by the field test of the Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) on calf serum. A further objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the field FPT test through a second laboratory phase improving the turbidity evaluation. The amount of IgG fed to calves (IgG concentration multiplied by the volume of colostrum administered) was influenced by dam parity as significant differences (P 50 mg/ml) between 5 and 9 h of life was able to reduce the risk of FPT more effectively than the administration performed within the first 4 h of life. However, further studies on larger sample size is needed to confirm the present findings. The spectrophotometric measurements confirmed the results obtained by the field turbidity test at 14% sodium sulphite dilution. It would be interesting in future to expand the dataset and validate the spectrophometric method.Keywords: Failure of Passive Transfer, colostrum, immunoglobulin, breed, genderReferencesATKISON, D. J., VON KEYSERLINGK, M. A. G. and WEARY, D. M. (2017). Benchmarking passive transfer of immunity and growth in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(5), 3773-3782. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11800BESSER, T. E. and GAY, C. C. (1994). 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Effect of delayed colostrum collection on colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 226(8), 1375–1377. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2005.226.1375MULLER, L. D. and ELLINGER, P. K. (1981). Colostral immunoglobulin concentrations among breeds of dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 64(8), 1727-1730. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(81)82754-3NONNECKE, B. J. et al. (2003). Composition and functional capacity of blood mononuclear leukocyte populations from neonatal calves on standard and intensified milk replacer diets. Journal of Dairy Science, 86, 3592-3604. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73965-4PARRISH, D. B. and FOUNTAINE, F. C. (1952). Contents of the alimentary tract of calves at birth. Journal of Dairy Science, 35, 839-845. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(52)93765-XQUIGLEY, J. D. and DREWRY, J. J. (1998). Nutrient and immunity transfer from cow to calf pre and postcalving. Journal of Dairy Science, 81, 2779-2790. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75836-9RABOISSON, D., TRILLAT, P. and CAHUZAC, C. (2016). Failure of passive immune transfer in calves: A meta-analysis on the consequences and assessment of the economic impact. PLoS ONE, 11, e0150452. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150452ROBISON, J. D., STOTT, G. and DENISE, S. (1988). Effects of passive immunity on growth and survival in the dairy heifer. Journal of Dairy Science, 71, 1283-1287. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79684-8ROGERS, G. M. and CAPUCILLE, D. J. (2004). L’impiego del colostro per mantenere vivi e produttivi i vitelli da carne. Large Animals Review, 106, 19-25.SAVINI, E. (1946). Chimica ed analisi del latte e dei latticini. Edizione Hoepli, Milano.SEDLINSKA, M., KREJCI, J. and VYSKOCIL, M. (2005). Evaluation of field methods for determining immunoglobulins in sucking foals. Acta Veterinaria, 74, 51-58. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200574010051TURINI, L. et al. 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Agricultural Sciences, 8, 572-581. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2017.8704

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: pathophysiological mechanism and new therapeutic approach

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) is the most common IgE-mediated disease. A type2 immune response is involved in AR pathogenesis. Allergic inflammation is characterized by eosinophilic infiltrate and mediators release. AR treatment is usually based on medication prescription, including antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids. However, medications may be prescribed for long periods and sometimes may be scarcely effective, thus aggressive strategy should be used. Therefore, complementary medicine is becoming attractive for patients at present. Nutraceuticals represent interesting therapeutic options in clinical practice. In this regard, a new compound has been designed containing Vitamin D3, Perilla extract, and quercetin

Low doses of lactoferrin supplementation in weaning calves

Different trials demonstrated lactoferrin (LF) to possess antimicrobial, antiviral, antimycotic and anti-inflammatory activity. This molecule is an iron-binding protein that could have preventive effects on calf diseases. Several authors studied the effects of LF at doses between 1 and 10 g/calf/day as a supplement in milk administrated to weaning calves. The results are variable and not always consistent. Twenty-two female replacement calves divided into 2 groups (Control-C and Treated-LF) during a 56-d experimental period were employed to investigate the effect of the use of 0.1 g/d of LF during weaning on growth performances, feed efficiency and health status. The field trial was conducted employing an early weaning protocol (49-d of length, excluding the colostral phase). After parturition, density and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content of dam colostrum were measured as a colostrum quality indicator. Only colostrum with at least 50 mg/mL of IgG was bottle-fed to the calf. Morphometric measurements and feedstuff intake were recorded weekly. Health status and milk consumption were evaluated daily. Calves receiving low doses of LF had numerically less incidence of diarrhoea than the C group (P > 0.05). From a statistical point of view, any significant difference was observed between groups both on growth performances and feed efficiency. A trend for an increase of the FCR was found for LF group at weaning (P = 0.099). More researches are needed to define the optimal dose and the real action of LF in weaning calves

Combination of a Solvent-dispensing and Micro-aspiration Device for Removal of Varnishes on Painted Surfaces

The use of organic solvents in treatments for the removal of varnishes on easel paintings is still a common practice among conservators worldwide. The more polar solvents required for aged, oxidized varnishes may promote leaching of fatty acid components of oil-based paints. The strategy tested in this study to reduce the diffusion of the solvents, in an attempt to minimize interactions, relied on the use of a system composed of two devices: a pump for delivering a precisely controlled amount of solvent to the surface, and a solvent-proof membrane pump to quickly aspirate it. This method was compared with two traditional methods of solvent application, to remove the varnish on two oil paintings on canvas, one from the twentieth century and the other dated 1872: swab-rolling and application through a Japanese paper sheet. The extent of leaching was measured by GC−MS analysis of the paint samples taken from the treated areas. The profiles of the fatty acids before and after varnish removal could thus be compared

Influence of the killing method of the black soldier fly on its lipid composition

Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) represents a valuable source of biomolecules and it also constitutes an economic way to valorise residual biomasses. BSF prepupae contain high amounts of lipids (37% DM basis). The present investigation aimed at studying the composition of BSF lipids and the effect of killing/storage on their quality. The main fatty acid was lauric acid, sterols were represented primarily by beta-sitosterol and campesterol. Global fatty acid and sterol profiles, determined by GC–MS, were only slightly affected by the killing procedure, while lipid classes distribution, determined by 1H NMR, strongly changed. Prepupae killed by freezing showed a drastic reduction of acylglycerols during storage and a relevant release of free fatty acids, likely due to activation of lipases. On the contrary, prepupae killed by blanching have a stable lipid fraction constituted mainly by triacylglycerols. Therefore, killing procedure strongly influences BSF oil composition and the potential applications

Lertal®, a multicomponent nutraceutical, could reduce the use of antihistamines in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Antihistamines are the cornerstone treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). To quantify the antihistaminic consume is particularly relevant in clinical practice, since a remarkable use is usually associated with severe symptoms. The aim of the study was to measure the use of antihistamines in two groups of children suffering from AR. The first group took a course of a nutraceutical (Lertal®) before the observation (active group, AG); a second one was considered as control (control group, CG). Both groups took antihistamines on demand. The children were visited at baseline and after 1 year. The number of days of antihistaminic use was the primary outcome. Children in AG had a significant reduced number of antihistamines use in comparison with CG (p=0.008). In conclusion, the current study showed that a course with a multicomponent nutraceutical could reduce the use of symptomatic antihistamines in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis

Special Issues for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children and Adolescents

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Asthma in children and adolescents: the ControL’Asma project

The control of asthma is the objective of asthma management. However, it is difficult to obtain in clinical practice. The Italian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology promoted the nationwide project “ControL’Asma” to investigate the real situation in a group of children and adolescents with asthma. The preliminary outcomes demonstrated that many asthmatic subjects do not achieve adequate asthma control. Moreover, asthma in Italian children and adolescents was usually more frequent in males, had an early onset and allergic phenotype with very frequent rhinitis comorbidity, uncontrolled and partly controlled asthma affected about the half of subjects. However, this project suggested that the assessment of asthma symptom perception by VAS could be a reliable tool in the asthma management

The real-world "ControL'Asma" study: a nationwide taskforce on asthma control in children and adolescents.

Background: Asthma control is the goal of asthma management. A nationwide study on this aspect was launched by the Italian Society of Paediatric Allergy and Immunology (ControL'Asma study). Objective: To define variables associated with different asthma control grades in a nationwide population of asthmatic children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional real-world study included 480 asthmatic children and adolescents (333 males, median age 11.2 years) consecutively enrolled in 10 third level pediatric allergy clinics. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) document, history, medication use, perception of asthma symptoms assessed by visual analog scale (VAS), clinical examination, lung function, childhood asthma control test (cACT)/asthma control test (ACT), and asthma control level were evaluated. Results: Considering GINA criteria, asthma was well controlled in 55% of patients, partly controlled in 32.4%, and uncontrolled in 12.6%. Regarding cACT/ACT, asthma was uncontrolled in 23.2%. Patients with uncontrolled asthma had the lowest lung function parameters and VAS scores, more frequent bronchial obstruction and reversibility, and used more oral and inhaled corticosteroids (CS). Conclusions: The ControL'Asma study, performed in a real-world setting, showed that asthma in Italian children and adolescents was usually more frequent in males. Asthmatic patients had an early onset and allergic phenotype with very frequent rhinitis comorbidity. Uncontrolled and partly controlled asthma affected about half of the subjects, and the assessment of asthma symptom perception by VAS could be a reliable tool in asthma management

A multi-analytical approach to better assess the keratan sulfate contamination in animal origin chondroitin sulfate

Abstract Chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan widely used as active principle of anti-osteoarthritis drugs and nutraceuticals, manufactured by extraction from animal cartilaginous tissues. During the manufacturing procedures, another glycosaminoglycan, the keratan sulfate, might be contemporarily withdrawn, thus eventually constituting a contaminant difficult to be determined because of its structural similarity. Considering the strict regulatory rules on the pureness of pharmaceutical grade chondrotin sulfate there is an urgent need and interest to determine the residual keratan sulfate with specific, sensitive and reliable methods. To pursue this aim, in this paper, for the first time, we set up a multi-analytical and preparative approach based on: i) a newly developed method by high performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, ii) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses, iii) size exclusion chromatography analyses coupled with triple detector array module and on iv) strong anion exchange chromatography separation. Varied KS percentages, in the range from 0.1 to 19.0% (w/w), were determined in seven pharmacopeia and commercial standards and nine commercial samples of different animal origin and manufacturers. Strong anion exchange chromatography profiles of the samples showed three or four different peaks. These peaks analyzed by high performance anion-exchange with pulsed amperometric detection and size exclusion chromatography with triple detector array, ion chromatography and by mono- or two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance revealed a heterogeneous composition of both glycosaminoglycans in terms of sulfation grade and molecular weight. High molecular weight species (>100 KDa) were also present in the samples that counted for chains still partially linked to a proteoglycan core