LEVEL OF NATURAL AUTOANTIBODY BINDING CARDIOLIPIN IN COLOSTRUM AND NAÏVE CALVES, IN RELATION WITH DIFFERENT MATERNAL DRY PERIOD LENGTH

N. Mayasari, Xiaoyu H., G. de Vries Reilingh, G.J. Remmelink, B. Kemp, A.T.M. Van Knegsel, H.K. Parmentier

Abstract
    Natural autoantibodies may prevent infections, clear aging cells and metabolic waste, and also play a role in anti-tumor surveillance, anti-inflammatory activity and maintenance of homeostasis. The objective of this study was to study the presence of natural autoantibody (NAAb) IgM binding cardiolipin in colostrum of cows subjected to different dry period lengths and in plasma of their calves prior colostrum intake. Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to 2 dry period lengths (0 or 60 days). Colostrum was sampled directly after calving. Blood samples of female calves were collected before colostrum intake. The titers of IgM in plasma or colostrum were determined by an indirect ELISA method. Natural autoantibody titers IgM binding cardiolipin are present in colostrum and plasma of naive calves prior colostrum intake. Cows with a 0-d dry period had lower IgM titers binding cardiolipin in colostrum compared with cows with a 60-d dry period. Naive calves have NAAb and omission of the dry period resulted in lower NAAb levels in colostrum and, but did not affect NAAb levels in plasma of calves before colostrum intake.

Key words: dry period, natural autoantibodies, colostrum and calf