Serological and Passive Transfer Investigations of Two Dromedary Calves after Drinking Colostrum from their Infected Dams

ELISA antibodies were tested in two dromedary camel dams for Brucellosis, MERS and Trypanosoma (T.) evansi. The same tests were applied to their calves before suckling and several times after intake of colostrum. One mother possessed high antibodies to Brucellosis and MERS. The second mother to T. evansi and MERS, whereas the two offsprings were negative at post-partum (pp) to the dams infection. After suckling colostrum from their mothers, both calves acquired antibodies to all three infections which were, however, lower than in their dams. These antibodies disappeared between 30 to 60 days’ pp; whereas the dams antibodies remained high. Additionally the sera of both mothers and calves were also tested for total protein (TP) and immunoglobulins (IgG). TP and IgGs in the dams were high due to their mature immune system. In the calves, both proteins increased after colostrum intake, indicating an adequate intake of colostrum.