[Experimental use of gamma globulin preparations and their effect on serum immunoglobulin levels in calves].

The saturation effect of a serum and colostrum immunoglobulin preparation on the humoral immunity system of calves was studied during the first days after birth. The positive effect of the preparations depended on the dose and on the immunity level acquired through colostrum. The serum immunoglobulin preparation was used at three doses (1.2 ml, 1.6 ml, 2.2 ml per kg live weight). In the calves suffering from hypogammaglobulinaemia, a significant saturation effect was recorded only at the dose of 2.2 ml per kg live weight. This dose represented an amount greater by up to 79% than the recommended maximum therapeutic dose. The administration of the recommended dose of the colostral immunoglobulin preparation (20 ml per calf) positively influenced the concentration of serum immunoglobulins in 26% of the test calves, but these suffered from hypogammaglobulinaemia. In none of the cases of calves with a normal level of gammaglobulins and calves with diarrhoea was an increase in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins recorded. An increase in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins in the calves after the administration of the above mentioned preparations was so small that it appears impossible to use them in the saturation therapy in calves affected by hypogammaglobulinaemia and agammaglobulinaemia. Some of the mechanisms of the action of gammaglobulin preparations are discussed for the cases where the results of the administration of the preparations were positive.