This study was performed to examine the effects of anti- lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli chicken egg Yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) provided to calves for 7 weeks during the pre- and post-weaning periods on rumen LPS activity, plasma acute phase protein (APP) concentrations, and metabolic parameters. A total of 30 Holstein calves were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 each: an IgY group fed Anti-E. coli LPS IgY, and a control group fed whole egg powder as a placebo. The study was conducted on calves aged 3-10 weeks, weaned at 7 weeks. The ruminal LPS activity of the IgY group was approximately 60% lower than the control group at 10 weeks of age. Plasma APP and cytokine concentrations in the IgY group did not differ from those in the control group. The daily weight gain in the IgY group was significantly higher than the control group for the whole experimental period. Plasma albumin/globulin was lower (P<0.05), and plasma aspartate transferase concentration was higher (P<0.05) in the IgY group than in the control group during the experimental period. In conclusion, feeding Anti-E. coli LPS IgY for 7 weeks pre- and post-weaning remarkably reduced the rumen LPS activity and improved the daily weight gain. The impact of Anti-E. coli LPS IgY on LPS activities in the lower gastrointestinal tract, and elucidation as to the mechanism responsible for the improvement in daily weight gain require further investigation.
Keywords: acute phase proteins; anti-lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli antibody; immunoglobulin Y; lipopolysaccharide; weaning period.