Resumen en español

In buffalo calves, as in calves, colostrum provides immune protection during the first weeks of life, due to the immunoglobulins present in it, which reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality. In Colombia there is no information available on the quality of colostrum in buffaloes, or on passive immunity in buffalo calves. The objective was to evaluate in the field the quality of buffalo colostrum and the transfer of passive immunity in buffalo calves in the lower colombian tropics. Through a descriptive study and a non-probabilistic sampling in 4 buffalo companies located in Córdoba (Colombia), colostrum samples were collected from the first, second, third and fourth milking of 64 buffaloes and a blood sample from their calves, for the determination of colostral quality by colostrometer and refractometer; and passive immunity transfer by refractometer. The variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Of a total of 64 colostrum samples evaluated by colostrometer, 64.06% were of good quality, 28.13% of medium quality and 7.81% of poor quality; and by the refractometer, 39.06% were of good quality, 20.31% of medium quality and 40.63% of poor quality. The correlation between the colostrum readings made by the colostrometer and refractometer were highly significant (P≤0.01). There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the quality of colostrum obtained from first calving buffaloes and multiparous buffaloes. A highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found between the number of milkings (4) performed over time and the colostral quality measured by colostrometer and refractometer. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the colostral quality obtained by colostrometer and refractometer from the different buffalo companies. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the colostral quality measured in each race of the study. 92.19% of the buffalo calves did not show failures in the transfer of passive immunity. No significant correlation (P>0.05) was found between colostrum readings by colostrometer and serum by refractometer. The correlation between the readings of colostrum and serum by the refractometer were statistically significant (P≤0.05). Passive immunity transfer did not vary (P>0.05) between buffalo calves of different sex, nor did it differ (P>0.05) in calves born to buffaloes of 1 or more calving. The intake of colostrum is the best and cheapest tool to improve the breeding processes in buffalo calves, helping to reduce mortality and conditions such as diarrhea, colic, dehydration, pneumonia, among others. The use of colostrometers and refractometers in buffaloes have not been described as evaluators of colostral quality, nor has PIT in buffalo calves in America and their adoption depends on economic criteria and the training of personnel. The reading of the PST by means of the refractometer is affected by neonatal diseases. The colostrometer or refractometer can be used as instruments for the management of colostrum in the different buffalo companies.