β-Lactoglobulins in the Urine of the New-born Suckled Calf

Abstract

IMMUNOLOGICAL, electrophoretic and ultracentrifuge data have been presented which show that certain proteins present in bovine colostrum contribute to a transient proteinuria which persists in the suckled calf for about 30–40 hr. post partum ^1,2. The work reported here supports previous findings, but emphasizes more specifically that it is the β-lactoglobulin in the colostrum which is absorbed from the gut along with the immune lactoglobulin, during the period of gut permeability immediately post partum, which is afterwards selectively cleared from the circulation probably by glomerular filtration by virtue of its low molecular weight and gives rise to a β-lactoglobulinuria. The immune lactoglobulin carrying the antibody activity is largely retained.