M.R Mokhber Dezfoul - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
H.R. Mohammadi - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
M.G Nadalian - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Z Bokaee - Department of Biology Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Alzahra, Tehran, Iran

In this study, the effect of chamomile extract on the ability of neonatal calves to absorb immunoglobulin G (IgG) was evaluated.An ethanolic extractof chamomile was obtained with the concentration of 111 mg/ml. Calves were randomly divided into four groups, each receiving one of four chamomiletreatments; 1: low dose (LC; 5.5 mg/kg body weight; 2: moderate dose (MC; 11 mg/kg); 3: high dose (HC; 22 mg/kg); 4: a control (CO; normal saline).Chamomile extract was injected intravenously into the jugular vein 1 h after birth and before colostrum intake. There was no significant difference inconcentration of serum IgG between LC and CO calves (P = 0.792). MC calves had a significantly higher serum IgG concentration at 48 h comparedwith LC and CO calves (P = 0.002, P = 0.003, respectively). There was no statistical difference between MC and HC calves at 48 h (P = 0.264). Theseresults show that chamomile extract could promote colostral IgG absorption in neonatal calves if a suitable dose is given immediately after birth.

Matricaria recutita L.; chamomile;calves; IgG absorption; colostrums