Feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product to Mares in Late Gestation Alters the Biological Activity of Colostrum.

This research investigates the possible impact of feeding a type of fermentation product to horses during late pregnancy on the quality of the colostrum they produce and the long-term immunity of their offspring. The study found that while this supplementation did not significantly alter the mares’ serum and colostrum levels of specific antibodies, it did result in an increased biological activity in the colostrum, affecting the infant horse’s immune response over time.

Research Methodology

• The study involved a total of 26 pregnant horses. Of these, 14 were fed 20g/day of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) in their diet for twelve weeks in anticipation of their calculated birth date. This group of horses is referred to as the SCFP group.
• Twelve horses were not given any supplementation and served as the control group (CON).
• The quality of the colostrum produced by the mares was tested within three hours after they gave birth. This was done so using a measurement known as ‘Brix values’.
• Blood serum and colostrum samples were tested for concentration of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) – a type of antibody – using an ELISA test.
• The biological activity of the colostrum was determined by using a cell growth assay on a porcine epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2).
• Mares were vaccinated against influenza and tetanus three weeks before their calculated birth date, and the resulting offspring were also given the same vaccinations at the age of 5-8 months.

Results

• The supplementation with SCFP did not significantly change the concentration of IgG in both mare serum and colostrum.
• The mares’ early response to vaccination was also not significantly altered by the SCFP supplementation.
• Growth rates and occurrence of diarrhea in the foals from both the SCFP and CON groups were found to be similar.
• Interestingly, the colostrum from the SCFP supplemented mares showed higher biological activity when examined in the lab.
• While there was no significant difference in the early response to vaccination between the SCFP and CON foals, researchers did find a significant correlation between the enhanced biological activity in the colostrum and alterations in the number of neutrophilic granulocytes – a type of white blood cell – in the vaccinated foals.

Conclusions

• The study found that while the SCFP supplementation didn’t impact the IgG antibody concentration or early vaccination response, it increased the biological activity of the colostrum, which in turn affected the offspring’s subsequent innate immune responses.
• Therefore, feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product to horses in late gestation might be a viable way to enhance their offspring’s immune responses, and warrants further investigation.