THE EFFECT OF CORTICOSTEROID ON ABSORPTION AND ENDOGENOUS PRODUCTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN CALVES

Abstract

Summary An attempt was made to determine the effect of corticosteroid on intestinal absorption and subsequent endogenous synthesis of immunoglobulins by the newborn calf. This was carried out by measuring changes in the serum concentration of IgG 1 , IgG 2 , IgM and IgA at intervals after birth in a total of 14 calves 11 of which were born of corticosteroid‐treated cows and the remainder from untreated cows. Calves were each fed 2 1 of a large volume of mixed colostrum in the first 6 hours after birth. The results indicate that corticosteroid treatment of cows induced early parturition and inhibited intestinal absorption of immunoglobulin. For the treated calves the efficiency of absorption for each immunoglobulin was half that for the untreated calves (P < 0.01). The time of onset of endogenous production of IgG 1 , IgG 2 and IgM was similar in treated and untreated calves, but the increase in serum IgA concentrations was delayed in treated calves. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.