The uniqueness of CONVERT™ Day-One Calf Gel results from three distinct components: 1) the profile of beneficial bacteria, 2) Agrarian Solutions’ proprietary cell-wall deficient bacteria, and 3) the use of IgY or egg-derived antibodies. The science supporting IgY utilization is growing rapidly and the benefits for enhancing calf health and performance are the focus of this discussion.
The concept of vaccinating laying hens against avian or mammalian pathogens and then harvesting the resulting IgY antibodies from egg yolks was initiated in the 1970’s. The laying hens can be custom immunized against selected pathogenic bacteria, viruses or protozoa, and then the resulting IgY will specifically bind or attach to the particular pathogen to render the pathogen unable to harm the animal’s digestive tract or be absorbed by the host animal, and is marked for destruction by the animal’s immune cells. Those bound pathogens not destroyed by the immune cells flow along with the digesta on down the tract for excretion.
As previously mentioned, the IgY pathogen-focused proteins are specific to the pathogen to which the laying hen was immunized, thereby reducing the potential for binding beneficial bacteria or nutrients. It is important to note that the IgY are not broken down by an animal’s protein-digesting enzymes and are presented to the small and large intestine ready to attach to the various pathogens. The IgY are also not affected by antibiotics.
The colostrum IgG are extremely important for consumption shortly after birth by the newborn calf with its naïve immune system incapable of defending against attacking pathogens. Research studies demonstrate that IgY administration increases the absorption of colostrum IgG due to IgY protecting the small intestine lining against pathogens. The complementary nature of IgY administration for increasing colostrum IgG absorption is extremely important for calves with questionable colostrum quantity or quality such as those born to first-calf heifers, difficult births, challenging environmental conditions or high pathogen-contaminated locales.
Unfortunately, colostrum IgG are susceptible to metabolism by protein-digesting enzymes and will not flow to the small and large intestine to protect against pathogens after the first day of life. Consequently, colostrum IgG products can only successfully protect the calf the day of birth, while enzyme-resistant IgY provide protection against pathogens from birth to weaning and beyond.
The CONVERT Day-One Calf Gel features IgY with research-proven activity against E. coli K88 and K99, coronavirus, two rotavirus serotypes, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella dublin and cross-reactivity to twenty other Salmonella species), Clostridium perfringens A and C, as well as cryptosporidium. Importantly, the CONVERT Calf Gel provides protection against pathogens the day of birth and on past weaning, including co-administration with antibiotics or electrolytes.
Authors: Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions and Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition