EVALUATION OF A BOVINE COMMERCIAL COLOSTRUM REPLACER AND
PASSIVE TRANSFER IN SPRINGBOK CALVES (Antidorcas Marsupialis)
Kimberly A Thompson DVM,1* Nadine Lamberski DVM, Dipl. ACVM,2 Philip Kass DVM,
MPVM, PhD,1 and Munashe Chigerwe BVSc, PhD, Dipl ACVIM1
1University
of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park,
Escondido, CA92027, USA
Abstract
Failure of passive transfer (FPT) is the inadequate absorption of immunoglobulins from
colostrum that occurs in ruminant neonates. FPT has been shown to increase the risk of diarrhea,
enteritis, septicemia, arthritis, omphalitis, pneumonia, and mortality in crias, calves, kids, and
lambs1-4. In zoologic establishments FPT can be a common occurrence in hand-raised ruminant
neonates fed insufficient amounts of colostrum replacer and or poor quality colostrum replacer.
The efficacy of specific colostrum replacers at achieving serum IgG concentration consistent
with adequate passive transfer and tests to assess FPT have been intensely studied in domestic
ruminants but few studies are available in non-domestic ruminants. This research assessed a
commercially available bovine colostrum replacer’s (Land O Lakes) ability to achieve serum
immunoglobulin concentrations consistent with adequate passive transfer in Springbok calves,
(Antidorcas marsupialis). The hypothesis of the study was that feeding Land O Lakes
commercial bovine colostrum replacer to Springbok calves at a dose of > 4.65g of IgG per kg of
animal’s body weight will result in a proportion of neonates with adequate passive transfer
similar to those that nursed maternal colostrum. The study determined the sensitivity and
specificity of various tests (serum total protein, glutaraldehyde, gamma-glutamyl-transferase,
globulin, and sodium sulfite) in determining passive transfer status in Springbok calves. The
morbidity and mortality until weaning was compared between Springbok calves fed colostrum
replacer and those that nursed maternal colostrum.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank the staff at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park for their help in the collection of
samples and for the time they committed to provide excellent care of the calves in the study.
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