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Journal of equine science2020; 31(1); 1-4; doi: 10.1294/jes.31.1

Evaluation of acquired passive immunity in mule foals up to 60 days of age.

Abstract: Ten mule foals were used to investigate serum IgG concentration. Blood was collected from mares and foals on the day following parturition (D1), at 48 and 72 hr after birth (D2 and D3), and on D7, D14, D21, D28, D35, D42, and D60. Serum IgG concentration was determined by zinc sulfate turbidity test and was above 400 mg/dl at all time points, except for one foal on D2. Mean values were above 800 mg/dl from D1 to D7 and at D60. The difference between mares and foals at each collection time was significant, except at D1. For all other days, foal IgG values were lower than the mare IgG values. Mean IgG concentrations were lower from D14 to D42 compared with D1 and D60. The results show that the critical period for the mule foal is at D28, which can be a vulnerable window for infections. The variation pattern in IgG values is similar to that in data published for horse and donkey foals. There are no published studies to date on the subject, and the present contribution enables further understanding of the newborn mule foal.
©2020 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-19 PubMed ID: 32206032PubMed Central: PMC7078489DOI: 10.1294/jes.31.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper investigates the levels of serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in mule foals up to 60 days after birth, offering insights into their immunity development. The study found that there’s a critical period at 28 days when these young mules can be more susceptible to infections.

Investigating mule foal immunity

  • The study involved ten mule foals, and their serum IgG concentration was under observation.
  • Blood samples were collected at various time points: on the day following parturition (D1), 48 and 72 hours after birth (D2 and D3), and on D7, D14, D21, D28, D35, D42, and D60.
  • IgG is a type of antibody that plays a crucial role in the immune system, especially against bacterial and viral infections. Monitoring its concentration gives insights into the immunity status of the organism.

Key findings

  • Throughout the observation period, the serum IgG concentrations remained above 400 mg/dl, aside from a single incidence on D2 where it dropped below this marker.
  • Between D1 to D7 and at D60, the average IgG values were above 800 mg/dl.
  • Comparisons between the mares and foals showed significant differences in IgG concentration at each collection point, except for D1.
  • Generally, the foals’ IgG values were lower than the mare’s, indicating relatively weaker immunity.
  • Mean IgG concentrations decreased noticeably from D14 to D42, and then increased on D60.

Implications

  • One of the significant findings was identifying D28 as a critical period for mule foals, when they could potentially be more vulnerable to infections.
  • The pattern of variation in IgG values discovered is roughly similar to the data published for horse and donkey foals. This suggests that mule foals might share some common patterns in immunity development with their relevant equine relatives.
  • This research fills a gap in existing studies as there hasn’t been much comprehensive analysis of newborn mule foal immunity. Therefore, these new findings could help expand our understanding of their health and wellness.

Cite This Article

APA
Baptista VDS, Guttmann PM, Rusca AC, Moreira da Silva K, Macieira DB, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB. (2020). Evaluation of acquired passive immunity in mule foals up to 60 days of age. J Equine Sci, 31(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.31.1

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-4

Researcher Affiliations

Baptista, Vivian Dos Santos
  • Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine (Clinical Sciences and Animal Reproduction), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24230-340, Brazil.
Guttmann, Paula de Mattos
  • DVM, Equine Private Practitioner, 25953-236, Brazil.
Rusca, Ana Carolina
  • Student Coordinator's Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Sorocaba, Sorocaba 18023-000, Brazil.
Moreira da Silva, Kátia
  • Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine (Clinical Sciences and Animal Reproduction), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24230-340, Brazil.
Macieira, Daniel de Barros
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24230-340, Brazil.
de Alencar, Nayro Xavier
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24230-340, Brazil.
Lessa, Daniel Augusto Barroso
  • Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinics, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói 24230-340, Brazil.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Nocera I, Sorvillo B, Sgorbini M, Aliboni B, Citi S. Radiographic Appearance of the Fore Digit and Carpal Joint in the Mule Foal from Birth to 3 Months of Age. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 26;13(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13152417pubmed: 37570226google scholar: lookup
  2. Yang C, Du M, Ahmad AA, Cheng Y, Gebeyew K. Passive Immunity Establishment Through Colostral IgG Absorption in Neonatal Ruminants: Foundation for Efficient Ruminant Production. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 24;15(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15213093pubmed: 41227424google scholar: lookup
  3. Roncaglia-Pereira VA, Dumard CH, Monteiro-Machado M, Melo PA, Fonseca J, Meirelles L, Cunha-Ribeiro L, Souza P, da Silva JL, Castilho L, de Oliveira AC, Gomes AMO, Strauch MA. Long-Term Maintenance of High Neutralizing Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Titres in Mares' Milk and Offspring Serum After Pregnant Mares Immunization With SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Vet Med Sci 2025 Sep;11(5):e70488.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70488pubmed: 40699548google scholar: lookup
  4. Turini L, Francesca B, Matilde V, Francesca B, Valentina M, Micaela S. Immunity transfer in mule foals fed with good IgG quality colostrum. Heliyon 2024 Feb 15;10(3):e25560.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25560pubmed: 38327457google scholar: lookup
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