ImmunIGy: A Novel Pen-side Test for Checking Calf Immune Status, to increase the efficiency of beef production through supply chain feedback and improved management

初乳母源抗体被动转移水平的直接标志是新生犊牛血清中的免疫球蛋白。有大量证据表明，成功的被动转移与发病率和死亡率的降低、增长率的提高、饲料转化率和终生生产能力有关，无论小牛是注定要生产牛奶还是进入牛肉供应链。因此，成功的被动转移是奶牛养殖场和养牛场提高经济效益和环境效率的关键驱动因素，饲养来自奶牛单位的牛犊。免疫抗体是一种用于检测牛犊中免疫球蛋白的围栏诊断试验。它之所以新颖，有两个原因：第一，这是一种横向流动测试，可以由农民在围栏一侧进行；第二，样本可以由农民使用柳叶刀在小牛鼻子的不敏感部分获得。因此，可以在几分钟的时间内廉价地获得结果。项目的目的是：(A)确认免疫抗体检测的结果与目前测定免疫球蛋白的金标准相关联，这将确认其在一周内用于小牛犊的价值。(B)确定牛群采集中心对牛犊免疫球蛋白的测量是否可单独用于预测未来的性能，以及在用于改进现有牛犊算法的功能时是否可用于预测未来性能。这种检测可以通过直接反馈给提供母体免疫力不足的牛犊的养殖场、定价差异以及根据牛犊的性能预测对牛犊进行定制管理来推动提高牛肉生产的效率。(C)将该算法整合到一个应用程序中，该应用程序将允许牛犊饲养者在进入时对牛犊进行测试，输入数据以预测牛犊的性能，并在实施抗生素治疗之前实施不同的管理做法，例如分开的群体或疾病流行的不同门槛。(D)培训参加测试的农民使用测试、应用程序和他们需要提供的数据，同时接受对其可用性的反馈。

Serum concentration of IgG in neonatal calves is a direct marker of the level of passive transfer of maternal antibody from colostrum. There is substantial evidence that successful passive transfer is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality rates, improved growth rates, feed conversion and lifetime productive capacity, whether the calf is destined to produce milk or enter the beef supply chain. As such, successful passive transfer is a key driver of economic and environmental efficiency on both dairy and beef farms rearing calves sourced from dairy units.ImmunIGy is a pen-side diagnostic test for measuring IgG in calves. It is novel for 2 reasons: firstly it is a Lateral Flow Test which can be carried out by the farmer, pen-side, and secondly the sample can be obtained by the farmer using a lancet on an insensitive part of the calf's nose. Hence the result can be obtained cheaply in the space of a few minutes.The project aims are to ;(a) Confirm that the output of the ImmunIGy test correlates with the current gold standard for measuring IgG, which will confirm its value for use in calves less than a week of age. (b) Determine if the measurement of IgG at collection centres for beef calves from the dairy herd can be used to predict future performance, both alone and when used to improve the function of a pre-existing Calf Algorithm. Such testing can drive improved efficiency of beef production via direct feedback to farms supplying calves with insufficient maternal immunity, pricing differentials and via bespoke management of calves according to their performance prediction. (c) Incorporate the algorithm into an App which will allow calf rearers to test calves on entry, enter the data to predict calf performance and put in place differential management practices, such as separate groups or a different threshold of disease prevalence before implementing antibiotic therapy. (d) Train the participating farmers in the use of the test, the App and the data that they need to provide whilst receiving feedback on its usability.