{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T02:07:30Z","timestamp":1791338850845,"version":"4.3.1"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,16]],"date-time":"2025-12-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1765843200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (MES) in the frames of the Bulgarian National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Component \u201cInnovative Bulgaria,\u201d","award":["BG-RRP-2.004-0006-C02"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["BG-RRP-2.004-0006-C02"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Passive transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG) through colostrum is essential for early immune protection in dairy calves. This systematic review synthesizes the most relevant evidence on colostrum quality, feeding practices, storage methods, and post-feeding assessment. High-quality colostrum (\u226550 g\/L IgG and low bacterial contamination) can be reliably assessed using Brix refractometry (\u226522%) or radial immunodiffusion. Early administration is critical: feeding within 1\u20132 h after birth maximizes IgG absorption. Providing 8.5\u201310% of body weight (\u22483\u20134 L) at first feeding, followed by a second feeding within 8\u201312 h, significantly reduces failure of passive transfer. Pasteurization at 60 \u00b0C for 60 min and controlled freezing maintain immunological integrity while reducing microbial load. Monitoring passive immunity using serum total protein (5.0\u20135.5 g\/dL) or serum Brix (8.1\u20138.5%) offers practical field diagnostics aligned with the IgG \u2265 10 g\/L threshold. Integrated colostrum management protocols\u2014combining quality evaluation, timely feeding, hygienic handling, and trained personnel\u2014are essential to improve passive immunity, health, and overall performance of dairy calves.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci12121205","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,16]],"date-time":"2025-12-16T12:47:26Z","timestamp":1765889246000},"page":"1205","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Good Veterinary Practices for Managing the Colostral Period in Dairy Calves to Improve Their Immune Competence\u2014A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-7562-6835","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elena","family":"Stancheva","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Ecology and Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Toncho","family":"Penev","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Ecology and Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"569","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1939-1676.2000.tb02278.x","article-title":"Passive Transfer of Colostral Immunoglobulins in","volume":"14","author":"Weaver","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. 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