Open AccessPrediction of Serum IgG 1 Concentration in Beef Calves Based on Age and Serum Gamma‐Glutamyl‐Transferase Activity
Author(s) -
Wilson Leilani K.,
Tyler Jeff W.,
Besser Thomas E.,
Parish Steven M.,
Gant Roderick
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1999.tb01139.x
Subject(s) - beef cattle , gamma glutamyltransferase , medicine , zoology , antibody , serum concentration , population , endocrinology , immunology , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , environmental health
This study examined the relationship between serum gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase (GGT) activity and passive transfer status in beef calves less than 18 days of age. Immunoglobulin G 1 (IgG 1 ) concentrations were measured in 69 commercial beef calves between the ages of 24 and 72 hours. GGT activities were then measured in these same calves at various ages between 3 and 18 days of age. Models were developed predicting serum IgG 1 concentration as a function of calf age and serum GGT activity. Minimal association was present between initial serum IgG 1 concentration and serum GGT activity when all calves less than 18 days of age were considered ( r 2 = 0.065). When the study population was restricted to calves less than 8 days of age, the fit of the developed model was greatly improved ( r 2 = 0.438). Serum GGT activity has no apparent advantage relative to other assay procedures for predicting passive transfer status in beef calves. If serum GGT activity is to be used to assess passive transfer status in beef calves, application of this procedure should be restricted to calves less than 8 days of age.