The Nutritive Value of Colostrum for the Calf

Abstract

The mechanism of the protective action of colostrum in white scours of calves is not understood. Smith & Little (1922) recognized the protective value of the secretion, and Little & Orcutt (1922) demonstrated the passage of agglutinins for Bruce& abortus from cow to calf in colostrum. Nelson (1924) found a similar transfer of agglutinins for Bacterium coli but there was no evidence that these agglutinins were linked with protection. Smith (1930) established that protective antibodies for Ract. coli were present in colostrum and that the low content of certain samples was related to the recent entry of a cow into her particular environment; he assumed that such cows had not yet become immunized against the new flora.