Serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G concentrations in healthy or ill neonatal foals and healthy adult horses.

This research article investigates the connection between serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in healthy and ill neonatal foals and adult horses. It finds that although both these compounds increase in healthy foals after colostrum intake, only IgG is significantly related to the sepsis score and outcome in ill foals.

Objective of the Study

• The research aims to ascertain how serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations are correlated and how they increase in foals after colostrum intake.
• The research seeks to compare lactoferrin concentrations in healthy and ill foals and to determine how these concentrations correlate with their corresponding IgG concentrations, neutrophil counts, the diagnosis of sepsis, and survival rates.
• The research also aims to measure the concentrations of lactoferrin in plasma compared to serum concentrations.

Methodology

• The sample group comprised of healthy foals (n = 16), mature horses (n = 10), and ill foals (n = 111) suspected of sepsis.
• Blood samples were taken from healthy foals when born and between 1-3 days of age, and from ill foals upon admission.
• Colostrum was obtained from 10 healthy mares unrelated to the foals..
• Serum IgG was quantified through single radial immunodiffusion while lactoferrin concentrations in colostrum and blood were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay.
• Several health indicators were measured in ill foals, including sepsis score, blood culture results, neutrophil counts, and survival rates.

Results

• The average concentration of lactoferrin in colostrum was found to be 21.7 microg/mL.
• In healthy foals 1-3 days old, there was a significant increase in both serum IgG and lactoferrin concentrations compared to values at birth.
• However, lactoferrin concentrations in 1-3-day-old healthy foals were not different from mature horses or ill foals.
• A significant correlation between IgG and lactoferrin concentrations was only found in healthy foals.
• In ill neutropenic foals, serum lactoferrin concentrations were significantly lower.
• Ill foals had significantly lower serum IgG concentrations when compared to healthy foals.
• In ill foals with a positive sepsis score and in nonsurvivors, the serum IgG concentration was significantly lower.
• Plasma lactoferrin concentrations were found to be lower than serum concentrations, though values were significantly correlated.

Conclusions

• It is concluded that, although both serum lactoferrin and IgG concentrations do increase in healthy foals after colostrum ingestion, only the level of serum IgG is significantly correlated with the sepsis score and outcome in ill foals.