The effect of mineral adsorbent in calf diet colostrum on the levels of serum immunoglobulin G, protein and glucose

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of added natural mineral adsorbent zeolite (clinoptylolite) on the degree of absorption of immunoglobulin G and on glucose and protein concentration in the blood of calves during the neonatal period. Sixty calves were divided into four groups (15 calves per group). Group 1 was fed only with 1.5 L of colostrum at 2nd, 12th, 24th and 36th hour after birth. Group 2 was fed with 1.5 L of colostrum with the mineral adsorbent added at a 5% concentration in the same time intervals. Group 3 was fed with 1.5 L of colostrum together with the mineral adsorbent added at a 5% concentration, but at 2nd and 12th hour after birth it was fed with the first colostrum, and 24 and 36 hours after birth it was fed with the second colostrum. Group 4 was fed the same way as the third one only without the addition of the mineral adsorbent. For the calves which were fed with the full colostrum without and with addition of mineral adsorbent (Group 1 and 2) the statistical significance of difference in the concentration of IgG was determined during all the tested intervals. Concentration of IgG in the sera of group 2 calves (fed colostrum with zeolite added) was approximately 30% higher than in group 1. The statistical significance of the difference in levels of IgG between group 1 and groups 3 and 4 was determined during all tested intervals, also. Concentration of IgG in the sera of group 3 calves was 40% higher than in the group 1.