creators_name: Iepema, G.L.
creators_name: van Eekeren, N.
type: conference_item
datestamp: 2008-10-07
lastmod: 2009-08-20 14:37:44
metadata_visibility: show
title: Effect of colostrum type on serum gamma globulin concentration, growth and health of goat kids until three months
ispublished: pub
subjects: 5mall
subjects: 7animalhealth
subjects: 3feeding
full_text_status: public
keywords: goat production, goats kids, colostrum, immunity, immunoglobulin
abstract: In this study the effect of three colostrum types; goat, cow and artificial colostrum, on serum gamma globulin concentration (GGC), growth and health of goat kids during the first three months of the rearing phase was measured. Thirty newborn goat kids were randomly assigned to three experimental groups; goat colostrum (GC), cow colostrum (CC) and artificial colostrum (AC). At 2, 28, 56 and 86 days serum GGC and live weight were measured. The three colostrum types were analysed on immunoglobulin G (IgG). Goat colostrum contained twice as much IgG as cow colostrum and artificial colostrum. At 2 and 28 days GC kids had a higher serum GGC than CC and AC kids. At 56 and 86 days no significant differences in serum GGC between the groups were found. No effect of colostrum type on daily weight gain was found.  Eight out of thirty goat kids under study suffered from health problems. Health problems and mortality were heavier among the AC kids. It can be concluded that for a successful passive transfer of immunity goat colostrum is necessary. When it is not possible to provide goat colostrum because of health reasons (disease transmission), cow colostrum is the best alternative. In that case good farm management is even more important. 
date: 2008
date_type: published
refereed: yes
citation: Iepema, G.L. and van Eekeren, N. (2008) Effect of colostrum type on serum gamma globulin concentration, growth and health of goat kids until three months. Cultivating the Future Based on Science: 2nd Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research ISOFAR, Modena, Italy, June 18-20, 2008.
document_url: http://orgprints.org/11943/1/Iepema_11943_ed.doc