Macromolecules intestinal absorption period of goat kids after bovine colostrum intake

After birth goat kids are dependent of colostrum immunoglobulins due to placental characteristics that don't allow macromolecules passage from dam's circulation. According to literature goat kids have colostrum immunoglobulin absorption capability for up to four days. Many physiological aspects of other species have been accepted and used for goats, but those related to passive immunity transference needs more investigation. The goals of the present study was to determine the period of macromolecules passage through gut wall to circulation until 36 hours postpartum and verify the duration of protective humoral immunity transferred by the ingestion of bovine and caprine colostrum. Sixty newborn goat kids were allocated into six treatment groups: T 0 (n=25), non-restricted natural ingestion of goat colostrum; T 1 (n=7), bovine colostrum from birth to two hours postpartum; T 2 (n=7), bovine colostrum ingestion between four to six hours after birth; T 3 (n=7), milk intake until the first eight hours and bovine colostrum administration between 10 to 12 hours postpartum; T 4 (n=7), milk ingestion for the first 18 hours and bovine colostrum ingestion between 22 and 24 hours after birth; T 5 (n=7), milk administration until 30 hours and bovine colostrum intake between 34 to 36 hours postpartum. The total protein (TP), gammaglobulin, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) serum concentrations were determined. At birth all neonates presented lower values of the variables, with signifiicant increase of TP and gammaglobulin at two days in groups T 0, T 1 and T 2, IgG and GGT increased in all groups. The treatments T 3, T 4 and T 5 were considered to induce failure of immunity passive transfer. The absorption of macromolecules by kid's intestinal tract occurred until 36 hours postpartum, with better effectiveness until 12 hours. Antibody levels persist up to 75 days after bovine colostrum intake, but at this time their low concentrations doesn't provide adequate protection.