The zinc sulfate turbidity test (ZST) was used to determine the immunoglobulin concentration in 1.530 serum samples collected from 81 cows (28 days before parturition to 28 days after parturition - n=579). Heifers born from these cows were also tested untd 210 days of live (n=951) with the same test Levels of Igs in cows decreased during the two weeks prepartum, indicating a transfer of circulating Igs to the mammary gland. The average serum Igs at 24 hours after birth in 76 female calves was 11.66 mg/ml with a standart deviation (SD) of 7 4. Failure of passive transfer (FPT) was considered to occur m animals with levels of lgs lower than one SD below average (4.2 mg/ml). FPT animals had lower levels of serum Igs than the other group unlil 56 days of age. High correlation (r=O.91) between ZST and serum electrophoresis was observed Sodium sulfite precipitation and glutaraldehyde coagulation tests were less efficient than ZST.
passive immunity; bovine; imunoglobulins
