Colostrum and Newborn Animals

Humans receive virtually all passive immunity in utero, meaning most of the immunity received from the mother is passed to the fetus while still in the uterus. Most mammals, however, are born with little or no immune protection to outside organisms. Cows, horses, goats, sheep, pigs and dogs pass virtually all the mother’s antibodies to the newborn via colostrum during the postnatal period.

It is very important that these animals receive colostrum, preferably from their mother, as soon after birth as possible. Colostrum is made up of protective antibodies and nutritional components known to support the immune system. The immature intestinal cells in the gut of the newborn are capable of absorbing protective antibodies. This ability of absorption rapidly decreases shortly after birth. For example six hours after birth a calf would require twice as much colostrum to equal the absorption at under one hour after birth.

This time period also makes the newborn susceptible to an invasion of harmful bacteria and other infectious organisms. If bacteria are absorbed and enter the bloodstream before the antibodies, the newborn has an extremely high risk of death.

*Feeding the Newborn Dairy Calf, College of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension, Penn State University

Nursemate provides a clean source of immune proteins that help the calf withstand subsequent bacterial challenges as well as stimulate organ growth and development. It also allows the newborn to get started, but does not fill them up so they are hungry for their first feeding of maternal colostrum.

Find out more about colostrum and its benefits for newborn animals by clicking on the links below.

Penn State Research

Feeding the Newborn Dairy Calf (Penn State)

* These products are made in a feed manufacturing facility that does not handle or store products containing animal proteins in ruminant fee.