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American journal of veterinary research2000; 61(9); 1099-1105; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1099

Immunoglobulin isotypes in sera and nasal mucosal secretions and their neonatal transfer and distribution in horses.

Abstract: To determine concentrations of IgA and IgG subclasses in serum, colostrum, milk, and nasal wash samples of adult horses and foals. Methods: Seven 2-year-old Welsh ponies, 27 adult mixed-breed horses, and 5 Quarter Horse mares and their foals. Methods: Serum was obtained from ponies and adult horses. Colostrum and milk were obtained from mares and serum and nasal wash samples from their foals immediately after parturition and on days 1, 7, 14, 28, 42, and 63. Nasal wash samples were also obtained from 23 adult horses. Concentrations of immunoglobulins were determined by use of inhibition ELISA. To determine transfer of maternal isotypes to foals, concentrations in colostrum and milk were compared with those in foal serum. Serum half-lives of isotypes in foals were also determined. Results: IgGb was the most abundant isotype in serum and colostrum from adult horses, whereas IgA was the predominant isotype in milk. The major isotype in nasal secretions of adult horses and foals > or = 28 days old was IgA, but IgGa and IgGb were the major isotypes in nasal secretions of foals < or = 14 days old. Serum half lives of IgGa, IgGb, IgG(T), and IgA in foals were 176, 32, 21, and 3.4 days, respectively. Conclusions: The early immunoglobulin repertoire of neonatal foals comprised IgGa, IgG(T), and IgA; endogenous synthesis of IgGb could not be detected until 63 days after birth. The restricted repertoire of immunoglobulins in foals may influence humoral immune responses to vaccination.
Publication Date: 2000-09-08 PubMed ID: 10976743DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1099Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This study investigated the occurrence and transmission of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in the blood, colostrum, milk, and nasal wash samples of adult horses and foals. The research revealed that the early immunoglobulin repertoire of neonatal foals primarily included IgGa, IgG(T), and IgA, with IgGb only detectable 63 days after birth. This limited range of immunoglobulins may impact the foals’ immune responses to vaccination.

Research Methods and Subjects

  • The study involved a total of seven 2-year-old Welsh ponies, 27 adult mixed-breed horses, and five Quarter Horse mares with their foals.
  • The researchers collected serum from the ponies and adult horses, as well as colostrum and milk from the mares.
  • Serum and nasal wash samples were also obtained from the foals right after birth and then on days 1, 7, 14, 28, 42, and 63. Nasal wash samples were additionally collected from 23 adult horses.
  • To examine the amounts of immunoglobulins, the team used an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • The study also looked into the transfer of maternal immunoglobulin isotypes to foals by comparing the concentrations in the colostrum and milk with those in the foal serum.
  • Furthermore, the serum half-lives of the immunoglobulin isotypes in foals were calculated.

Research Findings

  • Among adult horses’ sera and colostrum, the team found IgGb as the most abundant isotype, whilst IgA was the primary isotype in milk.
  • In the nasal secretions of adult horses and foals ≥28 days old, IgA was the major isotype. However, for foals ≤14 days old, IgGa and IgGb were the primary isotypes found in nasal secretions.
  • The serum half-lives of IgGa, IgGb, IgG(T), and IgA in foals were identified as 176, 32, 21, and 3.4 days, respectively.
  • The study highlighted that the early immunoglobulin repertoire of newborn foals included IgGa, IgG(T), and IgA, while endogenous synthesis (internal development) of IgGb was absent until 63 days post-birth.
  • The researchers hypothesized that this restricted repertoire of immunoglobulins could impact how foals respond immunologically to vaccination.

Cite This Article

APA
Sheoran AS, Timoney JF, Holmes MA, Karzenski SS, Crisman MV. (2000). Immunoglobulin isotypes in sera and nasal mucosal secretions and their neonatal transfer and distribution in horses. Am J Vet Res, 61(9), 1099-1105. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1099

Publication

ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 9
Pages: 1099-1105

Researcher Affiliations

Sheoran, A S
  • Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546-0099, USA.
Timoney, J F
    Holmes, M A
      Karzenski, S S
        Crisman, M V

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn / immunology
          • Antibodies, Monoclonal / analysis
          • Colostrum / chemistry
          • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
          • Female
          • Horses / immunology
          • Immunization, Passive / veterinary
          • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
          • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
          • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / analysis
          • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / blood
          • Male
          • Milk / chemistry
          • Nasal Mucosa / immunology
          • Nasal Mucosa / metabolism

          Citations

          This article has been cited 32 times.
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