Abstract: Whey derived from ordinary milk includes a bottom fraction including lactose and minerals, a middle fraction including lower molecular weight proteins, and a top fraction including higher molecular weight proteins. The top whey fraction includes a measurable but low level concentration of immunologically active immunoglobulin plus other pathogen specific antibodies. The whey is ultrafiltered through one or more different process steps to yield a filtered product having a concentration of immunologically active immunoglobulin of at least about seven percent of total solids. The filtered product is periodically tested to verify its activity to a specified microbe. The filtered product is orally administered in a therapeutically effective dose to an animal to treat a disease.

Abstract: Whey derived from ordinary milk includes a bottom fraction including lactose and minerals, a middle fraction including lower molecular weight proteins, and a top fraction including higher molecular weight proteins. The top whey fraction includes a measurable but low level concentration of immunologically active immunoglobulin plus other pathogen specific antibodies. The whey is ultrafiltered through one or more different process steps to yield a filtered product having a concentration of immunologically active immunoglobulin of at least about seven percent of total solids. The filtered product is periodically tested to verify its activity to a specified microbe. The filtered product is orally administered in a therapeutically effective dose to an animal to treat a disease.

Abstract: A dry, immunologically active filtered product is produced through the controlled one or two stage ultrafiltration of liquid whey containing immunologically active immunoglobulin (Ig). When a predetermined quantity of the filtered product with an active Ig concentration of at least about seven percent of total solids is fed to newborn calves, the product functions as a substitute for natural colostrum, providing both temporary passive immunity as well as initiation of the active immune system of the animal. Disease resistance and growth rate in animals including humans is enhanced by oral administration of the filtered product. The immunological properties of the filtered product result from the presence of substantially enhanced concentrations of active Ig as well as other immunologically active whey components in comparison to the immunologically ineffective concentrations of these materials in the liquid whey ultrafiltration feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product and process for assuring the transfer of adequate passive immunity to newborn domestic animals. Immunologically active immunoglobulins are extracted from the whey byproduct of dairy manufacturing by using ultrafiltration techniques to separate the large immuoglobulin molecules from the whey. The ultrafiltration retentate is dried to produce a filtered product having a high concentration of immunoglobulins. The dry filtered product is assayed to verify the immunological activity of the product and to measure the distribution and concentration of pathogen specific antibodies. The dry filtered product is stored. Subsequently, a dose of the product containing at least a minimum weight ratio of immunologically active Ig is fed to the newborn animal to transfer passive immunity.