Institute of Veterinary and Agronomic Sciences, Mohamed-Cherif Msaadia University. Souk-Ahras. Algeria.
10.22092/ari.2026.371809.3997
Abstract
Introduction: The acquisition of passive immunity is essential for calf survival, as they are born agammagolobulinemic and must absorb maternal antibodies from colostrum. This immunity is especially fragile in calves from extensive farming systems where indigenous cattle face environmental challenges. Objective: The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence of sufficient passive immunity transfer in order to assess neonatal survival capacity under natural environmental conditions. Material and Methods: For this purpose, 62 blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of local calves born in the mountainous regions of northeastern Algeria, to measure total serum proteins levels using a digital refractometer. Results: The mean of serum total protein concentration in calves was 18.56 g/L (SD ± 15.00), and the mean serum Brix percentage was 8. 8 %( SD ± 1.3). Total serum protein correlated strongly with% Brix (r = 1.00). 58% of calves presented a serum total protein concentrations >10 g/L, showing sufficient transfer of passive immunity and 42% had a STP concentrations <10 g/L, indicating failure of passive transfer (FPT). Our study revealed that the rate of passive immunity transfer was influenced by the calving score (P value = 0.03). However, the sex of the calf had no impact on the success of this transfer (P value = 0.07). Test characteristics were evaluated to assess the failure of passive transfer determined as serum total protein level below 10 g/L. Receiver Operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified a best cutoff value of 8.4% Brix, which indicated a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 85%. Our results are compared with published data, considering the methods and populations studied. Conclusion: Farmers can use the digital refractometer to measure total serum protein in calves to facilitate monitoring the success of passive transfer to calves born in mountainous regions with free-range grazing.
Sarra, S. , Farida, B. and Zoubir, B. (2026). Assessment of passive immunity transfer in indigenous Algerian cows. Archives of Razi Institute, (), -. doi: 10.22092/ari.2026.371809.3997
MLA
Sarra, S. , , Farida, B. , and Zoubir, B. . "Assessment of passive immunity transfer in indigenous Algerian cows", Archives of Razi Institute, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.22092/ari.2026.371809.3997
HARVARD
Sarra, S., Farida, B., Zoubir, B. (2026). 'Assessment of passive immunity transfer in indigenous Algerian cows', Archives of Razi Institute, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22092/ari.2026.371809.3997
CHICAGO
S. Sarra , B. Farida and B. Zoubir, "Assessment of passive immunity transfer in indigenous Algerian cows," Archives of Razi Institute, (2026): -, doi: 10.22092/ari.2026.371809.3997
VANCOUVER
Sarra, S., Farida, B., Zoubir, B. Assessment of passive immunity transfer in indigenous Algerian cows. Archives of Razi Institute, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.22092/ari.2026.371809.3997
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