Abstract:
Since there is no reason to doubt the generally accepted conception that the
concentration of ƴ globulins is an accurate index of humoral immunity, it may
be concluded that in bovines there is no transplacental transmission of specific
immunity and that the acquired passive immunity of the calf results from the
ingestion and absorption of the globulins present in high concentration in the
colostrum. The human acquires its transmitted passive immunity exclusively
in utero to a degree correlated with the immunity of its mother. This immunity
is not influenced by the ingestion of colostrum from which the ƴ globulin component
is absent.
