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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Mare colostrum quality and relationship with foal serum immu...
Equine veterinary journal2025; 57(4); 904-914; doi: 10.1111/evj.14471

Mare colostrum quality and relationship with foal serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and average daily weight gains.

Abstract: Foals suffer from total failure to transfer passive immunity (TFTPI) when serum immunoglobulin (IgG) is <4 g/L, and partial failure to transfer passive immunity (PFTPI) when serum IgG is 4-8 g/L. Objective: To explore risk factors for poor serum IgG concentration. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Data from 535 Thoroughbred foals born to 177 mares were analysed and included foal sex, birthweight, month and year of birth and colostrum Brix %. Associations between dam age and colostrum Brix (%); and between foal serum IgG and liveweight gains were also measured. Pre-suckle colostrum samples and foal blood samples were collected (by jugular venipuncture within 12-24 h of birth). IgG was estimated in mare colostrum and foal serum using Brix refractometry and turbidimetric immunoassay, respectively. Foals were weighed within 20 h of birth; daily until 7 days of age and weekly until 130 days of age. Results: Mean foal serum IgG was 10.78 g/L (SD = 3.26) and mean mare colostrum Brix was 27.32% (SD = 5.96). A number of colostrum samples (20.9%, n = 112/535) measured <20% Brix and 20.4% of foals (n = 109/535) had serum IgG concentrations ≤8 g/L, 2.2% of foals (n = 12/535) had serum IgG less than or equal to 4 g/L and 18.1% (n = 97/535) had serum IgG between 4.1 g/L and 8 g/L. Foals had an average daily gain (ADG, kg) of 1.26 kg (SD = 0.14). Serum IgG (g/L) was associated with year of birth, birthweight (kg) and colostrum Brix (%). For every unit increase in foal birthweight (kg), there were small, significant increases in foal serum IgG (0.04 g/L, p = 0.04). Similarly, for every unit increased in mare colostrum Brix (%) there were small, significant increases in foal serum IgG (0.25 g/L, p < 0.001). Month of birth was significantly associated with colostrum Brix (%) and with average daily gains; with lower values for both outcome parameters with increasing calendar month. Increasing dam age at foaling was associated with lower colostrum Brix (%). Conclusions: Retrospective design with missing data, small convenience sample. Conclusions: Several risk factors were significantly associated with foal serum IgG and mare colostrum Brix (%) in the current work.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-01-15 PubMed ID: 39814454PubMed Central: PMC12135750DOI: 10.1111/evj.14471Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research looks at the factors affecting serum immunoglobulin (IgG) concentrations in thoroughbred foals, and how they correlate with the quality of mare colostrum and the foals’ daily weight gains. The study found that year of birth, birthweight, and colostrum quality all significantly impact IgG levels, and that colostrum quality is linked to the mare’s age and the foal’s birth month.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective observational study on 535 thoroughbred foals born to 177 mares. Factors such as foal sex, birthweight, birth month and year, and colostrum quality were analysed.
  • Blood samples were taken from foals within 12-24 hours after birth and IgG concentration was estimated using Brix refractometry and turbidimetric immunoassay respectively.
  • Foals were weighed within 20 hours of birth, daily until they were one week old, and weekly until they were about four months old.

Study Findings

  • The study found that the average serum IgG concentration in foals was 10.78 g/L, and the mean colostrum quality measured using Brix was 27.32%.
  • It was observed that approximately 21% of colostrum samples showed Brix values below 20%, and the same percentage of foals demonstrated serum IgG concentrations less than or equal to 8 g/L. Counting from the total, about 2% had IgG levels less than or equal to 4 g/L and about 18% had serum IgG between 4.1 g/L and 8 g/L.
  • The average daily weight gain in foals was found to be 1.26 Kg.
  • The study indicated an association between serum IgG concentrations and factors such as the year of birth, birthweight, and colostrum quality. For each unit increase in birthweight and colostrum quality, there were small yet significant increases in serum IgG concentration.
  • The month of birth significantly influenced colostrum quality and daily weight gain, with both decreasing as the calendar month increased.
  • Increasing mare age at the time of foaling was linked to lower colostrum quality.

Conclusions

  • Despite some limitations such as a retrospective design with missing data and a small convenience sample, the study managed to identify several risk factors significantly linked with foal serum IgG and mare colostrum quality.
  • These findings can help in better understanding and optimizing the health and growth of thoroughbred foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Gallacher K, Champion K, Denholm KS. (2025). Mare colostrum quality and relationship with foal serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and average daily weight gains. Equine Vet J, 57(4), 904-914. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14471

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 4
Pages: 904-914

Researcher Affiliations

Gallacher, Kirsty
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Champion, Katherine
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Denholm, Katharine S
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Colostrum / chemistry
  • Colostrum / immunology
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / immunology
  • Horses / growth & development
  • Horses / physiology
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Weight Gain
  • Male
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Pregnancy

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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