Bovine neonatal immunology

Early fetal immune development occurs independent of antigen exposure, wher eas later development depends on exposure to specific antigens. Although ne onates are immunocompetent at birth, they are clearly immunonaive and depen dent on passively acquired maternal immunoglobulins, immune cells, and othe r substances from colostrum for protection. Neonates that suffer failure of passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins may be at increased risk for disease; however, many other factors interact in conjunction with the level of passively acquired immunoglobulin to determine the occurrence of diseas e.