Effects of increased dietary protein and energy on composition and functional capacities of blood mononuclear cells from vaccinated, neonatal calves.

Effects of increased protein and energy provided by an intensified milk replacer on the antigen-specific, cell-mediated immune response of the neonatal calf were examined. Calves were fed a standard (0.45 kg/day of a 20% crude protein, 20% fat milk replacer; n=11) or intensified (1.

In vitro effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion by blood leukocytes from young and adult cattle vaccinated with Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are critical in the development of an effective immune response. Vitamin D, essential in short-term calcium homeostasis and recently shown to modulate proliferation and function of blood mononuclear cells from adult dairy cattle, may be an effective modulator of the calf's immune system. Effects of antigen sensitization and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25-(OH)2D3] on cytokine secretion by cells from calves vaccinated with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) were examined.

Evaluation of a lateral-flow immunoassay for use in monitoring passive transfer of immunoglobulins in calves.

Objective: To determine the predictive ability of a commercially available lateral-flow immunoassay used for determining passive transfer of immunoglobulins in calves.

Animals: 204 male Holstein calves ranging from 4 to 8 days old.

Procedure: Serum samples were obtained from each calf.