The objective of this study was to determine the fluctuation of serum antibodies in goats in the period before and immediately after kidding and the passive immunity acquisition efficiency in kids fed bovine and goat colostrum, to assess an alternative for colostrum management. Eighteen goats and their offspring were used in a total of 33 animals. Goat blood samples started to be collected 45 days before the predicated kidding date, at five-day intervals until the 5th day post kidding. The kids were distributed in two groups: one group received goat colostrum and the other cattle colostrums. Blood collections were made 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours, and at 5, 10, 15, 17, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of age. The serum concentration of total protein (TP) and immunoglobulins (Ig), and the colostrum IgG concentration were analyzed. A randomized complete design was used and the serum variables were analyzed as repeated measurements. The absence of fall in TP and Ig serum concentration in the pre partum period, indicated that the mobilization of serum antibodies to mammary gland occurred in concentrations that allow the animals to keep these variables without great alterations. In the group that received cattle colostrum, the highest concentration data for TP was observed at 48.68 ± 0.79 hours after birth, with mean of 7.16 ± 0.28 g/dL, and the highest concentration date for Ig at 48 ± 0.73, with mean of 37.56 ± 2.38 ZST units (zinc sulfate turbidity). In the group that received goat colostrum, the maximum values for serum TP and Ig occurred later, at 20.05 ± 1.36 and 20.11 ± 1.72 days after birth, with means of 5.91 ± 0.22 g/dL and 28.17 ± 2.05 ZST units (zinc sulphate turbidity), respectively. Goat colostrum can be substituted by cattle colostrums, that promotes better initial immunoglobulin acquisition by the neonates.
immunoglobulin; Saanen; serum protein; small ruminant
