The effects of litter size and time allowed for suckling on their dams on goat kids passive immune status

Abstract

Majorera goat kids (n=200) were used in the present study to evaluate the effects of litter size and time allowed for suckling on their dams (TASD) on serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration. Kids were assigned to one of three experimental groups; litter size was equally distributed in each group. In the first group, the kids (n=67) stayed with their dams for 24 h; in the second group, the kids (n=66) stayed with their dams for 48 h; and in the third group, the kids (n=67) stayed with the dams for 120 hours. Five blood samples were obtained every 24 h for 5 d, and IgG was measured in serum using radial immunodifusion. In litter sizes of one and two, the IgG blood serum was significantly higher than those of 3 kids per partum, and was lower in kids with a birth weight of less than 2,755 g. The TASD did not affect serum IgG levels of kids. If neonatal goats are allowed to suckle colostrum for 24 h from their dams, this seems to be sufficient to ingest enough IgG with colostrum to achieve an adequate serum IgG concentration and passive immune protection.