Hemingway: Reliability of some simple methods for assessing the Immunoglobulin status of new-born calves

Abstract

Blood sera with a wide range of immunoglobulin concentrations were obtained from closely managed beef calves by sampling pre-suckling, at 2 days, and at some intermediate times. Immune globulin status was determined by a zinc sulphate turbidity test, by refractometer, and by the coagulation times with a glutaraldehyde solution. Values for all three tests correlated very significantly (P<0.001) with globulin concentrations obtained with a Technicon Autoanalyser, and can be used with confidence for rapid and satisfactory results where elaborate laboratory facilities are unavailable.


Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.31(2) 1998: 223-228