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.
Abstract: In this study, we aim to report the persistent presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins in pre-immunized mare offspring. Three mares from Vital Brazil Institute were pre-immunized with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and became pregnant during this period. After parturition, the mares' serum and colostrum/milk and foal serum were collected over 6 weeks. Our results have shown high and persistent presence of IgG and neutralizing antibodies over the weeks not only in the mares' serum, as expected, but in mares' colostrum/milk and foal serum as well-what were very surprising. This peculiar approach, which we were able to track specifically antibodies produced from an antigen inoculated only in the pregnant mares', is distinct from the usual methodology applied in the current reports in this field. Thus, together, these data and our methodology could lead to new approaches to better understanding about equine passive immunization by newborn's breast-feeding.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-07-23 PubMed ID: 40699548PubMed Central: PMC12285604DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70488Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research explores the long-term persistence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in mares and their offspring after the mares were immunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
Research Methodology
- The study was conducted on three mares from the Vital Brazil Institute. These mares were pre-immunized with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and became pregnant during this period.
- Following parturition, various samples were collected from the mares and their foals over six weeks. These included the mares’ serum, colostrum/milk, and foal serum.
- This innovative approach involved identifying antibodies produced solely from the antigen inoculated in the pregnant mares. It offers a unique contrast to regular methods used in similar scientific reports.
Key Findings
- The results demonstrated a high and consistent presence of IgG and neutralizing antibodies over time.
- These antibodies were not only identified in the mares’ serum (which was expected) but notably, were also detected in the mares’ colostrum/milk and the foal serum.
- The research findings were surprising, suggesting a passive immunization in newborn horses through breastfeeding.
Significance of the Study
- The findings present data and methodology that could pave the way for new approaches in understanding equine passive immunization trends through newborn breastfeeding practices.
- The long-term persistence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could provide insights into potential treatments or preventive measures against viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 in both horses and potentially other mammals.
Cite This Article
APA
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.
(2025).
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, 11(5), e70488.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70488 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Farmacologia das Toxinas, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Farmacologia das Toxinas, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Vital Brazil Institute, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Vital Brazil Institute, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Vital Brazil Institute, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Vital Brazil Institute, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Cell Culture Engineering Laboratory, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis and National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropedica, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / immunology
- Female
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology
- Pregnancy
- Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Antibodies, Viral / immunology
- Colostrum / immunology
- SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
- COVID-19 / veterinary
- COVID-19 / prevention & control
- COVID-19 / immunology
- Animals, Newborn / immunology
- Milk / immunology
- Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
- Immunization, Passive / veterinary
- Immunoglobulin G / blood
- Immunization / veterinary
Grant Funding
- Fundau00e7u00e3o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo u00e0 Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
- Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Virus Network
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientu00edfico e Tecnolu00f3gico
- Coordenau00e7u00e3o de Aperfeiu00e7oamento de Pessoal de Nu00edvel Superior
- Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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