Acquisition of passive immunity by newborn Dwarf Mossi kids. Role of assisted sucking

Abstract

Colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations of 35 Dwarf Mossi goats were measured as well as the plasmatic IgGs of their kids (n = 58) fed from the udder after birth with or without sucking assistance. Colostral mean IgG concentrations of goats were 155 ± 33, 124 ± 42, 82 ± 42 and 55 ± 29 g/l at 0, 8, 16, and 24 h post-partum, respectively. Parity, twin-births and live weight of the goats did not have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on IgGs in the produced colostrum. On the other hand, colostral IgGs were significantly correlated to kid mortality 8 h (p < 0.05), 16 h and 24 h (p < 0.001) post-partum. Moreover, at the same hours colostral IgGs of goats had a highly significant effect (p < 0.001) on plasmatic IgGs of kids. The birth weight had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on kid mortality and varied inversely with this parameter. Assisting sucking kids had a positive effect (p < 0.05) on their plasmatic IgGs, 8 and 16 h after birth. These IgGs levels were significantly (p < 0.001) related to kid mortality.