The influence of colostrum and milk on the development of lymphocytosis in the bovine

The development of lymphocytosis in 2 groups of cattle derived from leukotic dams and a third group of cattle derived from normal dams was studied over a period of several years. One group was raised colostrum-deprived; a second received colostrum and milk for several months; the third group served as controls. The colostrum did not appear to influence the development of the lymphocytosis. Three different patterns of development of lymphocytosis were, however, apparent.

One type did not show any lymphocytosis and resembled therefore the control group (1038calves), the second type was characterized by a slowly developing lymphocytosis (1338calves) and the third one showed an explosive type of rapidly developing lymphocytosis (1538calves). No correlation could be shown with simple genetic or environmental factors. Several questions were raised which merit further research.