Relationship among Some Colostral Immune Parameters and Hepcidin in Neonatal Calves

This study was designed to determine hepcidin, IgG, Lactoferrin, IL-6 and iron levels in blood serum, colostrum, milk of healthy cows and the healthy calves on different days of the neonatal period. The study included 20 pregnant cows and 20 calves born to them. Blood samples were taken from pregnant animals 15 days before the birth and immediately after the birth for measurements. Blood samples were also obtained from the calves at birth before colostrum intake and 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after birth for measurements. Colostrum samples were collected from mothers immediately after birth and milk samples were taken postpartum on days 1, 3 and 7. After parturition, serum hepcidin levels were higher than pregnant cows (P>0.05). Hepcidin levels in colostrum were found significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared with milk samples Following the intake of colostrum, serum hepcidin level of calves of day 1 was similar to that of day 3 (P>0.05) but significantly higher than the values of day 7, 14 and 28 days of life in calves (P<0.001). Serum hepcidin levels similar pattern of changes to those of IgG, Lf and IL-6 after colostrum intake in calves. As a result; It was concluded that hepcidin may be an important component in terms of calf health, given that it shows similar changes with the immune parameters.