Feasibility of infrared spectroscopy with pattern recognition techniques to identify a subpopulation of mares at risk of producing foals diagnosed with failure of transfer of passive immunity.
Abstract: To assess the feasibility of a serum-based test using infrared spectroscopy to identify a subpopulation of mares at risk of producing foals susceptible to failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) because of mare-associated factors. Methods: Serum was collected from post-parturient mares (n = 126) and their foals at 24-72 h of age. A radial immunodiffusion IgG test was used to determine each foal's serum IgG concentration. Infrared absorbance spectra of dam sera were collected in the wave number range of 400-4000 cm(-1). Following data preprocessing, pattern recognition techniques were used to identify spectroscopic information capable of distinguishing between mares with FPT foals and those with normal foals. The sensitivity and specificity of infrared spectroscopy to detect risk-positive mares were calculated. Results: Five wave number regions were identified as optimal for distinguishing between the two groups of mares: 740.9-785.2 cm(-1), 796.8-816.0 cm(-1), 970.4-993.5 cm(-1), 1371.6-1406.3 cm(-1) and 1632.0-1659.0 cm(-1). Based upon the infrared spectroscopic information within these discriminatory subregions, the spectra provided the risk status of the mares with a classification success rate of 81.0%. The sensitivity of the classification system was 85.7% and specificity was 80.0%. Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrates that infrared spectra of dam serum have the potential to provide the basis for a new periparturient screening method for a subpopulation of mares at risk of having a foal susceptible to FPT. Further development may provide an economic and rapid technique for the pre-parturient assessment of mares.
© 2012 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2012 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2012-08-23 PubMed ID: 23004229DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00979.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research discusses the potential of using infrared spectroscopy, a method of analyzing light absorption in different substances, along with pattern recognition techniques to identify mares (female horses) that are likely to give birth to foals susceptible to Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity (FPT). This could provide a new and efficient screening method for horses before giving birth.
Methods Used in the Study
- The study used serum, the clear liquid that separates from the blood when it clots, collected from post-parturient mares (ones that had just given birth) and their foals aged between 24 to 72 hours.
- A radial immunodiffusion IgG test, which measures the concentration of specific antibodies in a sample, was used to evaluate the IgG concentration in each foal’s serum. In this context, the IgG levels serve as an indicator of the immunity transferred from the mare to the foal.
- The researchers obtained infrared absorbance spectra from the mares’ sera to identify patterns or information capable of distinguishing between mares that gave birth to foals with FPT and those that did not.
Findings of the Study
- Five specific regions within the infrared spectra were found to be the most effective in distinguishing between mares that were at risk and those that were not. These regions were defined on a scale of wave numbers or frequency of oscillation.
- Using this information obtained from the spectra, the researchers were able to classify the risk status of the mares with an accuracy rate of 81%.
- The system showed a sensitivity of 85.7%, indicating the proportion of actual positives correctly identified, and a specificity of 80.0%, signifying the proportion of negatives correctly identified.
Implications of the Study
- This research is a preliminary study that demonstrates the potential of infrared spectroscopy as a method of screening mares at risk of giving birth to foals susceptible to FPT.
- Further development of this method can provide a cost-effective and quick technique for assessing mares prior to giving birth.
Cite This Article
APA
Riley CB, McClure JT, Low-Ying S, Dolenko BK, Somorjai RL, Shaw RA.
(2012).
Feasibility of infrared spectroscopy with pattern recognition techniques to identify a subpopulation of mares at risk of producing foals diagnosed with failure of transfer of passive immunity.
Aust Vet J, 90(10), 387-391.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2012.00979.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia. chris.riley@adelaide.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn / blood
- Animals, Newborn / immunology
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses / immunology
- Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / physiology
- Immunization, Passive / veterinary
- Immunoglobulin G / blood
- Postpartum Period
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods
- Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / veterinary
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