Hyoscine N-butylbromide administration before colostrum feeding improves passive transfer in dairy calves

This study evaluated whether hyoscine N-butylbromide administration before colostrum feeding could influence colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption and passive transfer in neonatal Jersey calves. Eighteen clinically healthy calves were allocated to a control group (n = 6) or a hyoscine N-butylbromide-treated group (n = 12). Treated calves received hyoscine N-butylbromide at 0.4 mg/kg intramuscularly 15–30 min before the first colostrum feeding. All calves received high-quality maternal colostrum (Brix ≥25%) within 6 h after birth. Serum Brix was measured at 48 h, and the same serum samples were analyzed for IgG, total protein, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and glucose. Treated calves had higher serum Brix than controls at 48 h (10.96 ± 0.81 vs. 9.53 ± 0.7%; p = 0.002). Serum IgG was also higher in treated calves at 48 h (3,243 ± 794 vs. 2,175 ± 1,150 mg/dL; p = 0.034), whereas total protein, GGT, and glucose did not differ between groups (p ≥ 0.217). These preliminary findings suggest that hyoscine N-butylbromide administration before colostrum feeding may be associated with improved passive transfer indicators in neonatal calves; however, confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies is required.