A study of bovine and equine immunoglobulin levels in pony foals fed bovine colostrum

Bovine Colostrum for Veterinary and Human Health Applications: A Critical Review

Bovine colostrum harbors a diverse array of bioactive components suitable for the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals with veterinary and human health applications. Bovine colostrum has a strong safety profile with applications across all age groups for health promotion and the amelioration of a variety of disease states. Increased worldwide milk production and novel processing technologies have resulted in substantial growth of the market for colostrum-based products. This review provides a synopsis of the bioactive components in bovine colostrum, the processing techniques used to produce high-value colostrum-based products, and recent studies utilizing bovine colostrum for veterinary and human health.

Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses

Colostrum is the milk produced during the first few days after birth and contains high levels of immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors. Colostrum is important for supporting the growth, development, and immunologic defence of neonates. Colostrum is naturally packaged in a combination that helps prevent its destruction and maintain bioactivity until it reaches more distal gut regions and enables synergistic responses between protective and reparative agents present within it. Bovine colostrum been used for hundreds of years as a traditional or complementary therapy for a wide variety of ailments and in veterinary practice. Partly due to concerns about the side effects of standard Western medicines, there is interest in the use of natural-based products of which colostrum is a prime example. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of bovine colostrum for a wide range of indications, including maintenance of wellbeing, treatment of medical conditions and for animal husbandry. Articles within this Special Issue of Nutrients cover the effects and use bovine colostrum and in this introductory article, we describe the main constituents, quality control and an overview of the use of bovine colostrum in health and disease.

Immunologic Disorders in Neonatal Foals

Foals live in an environment heavily populated by bacteria, many of which are capable of causing disease. Development of infection,however, is the exception rather than the rule. The ability of the foal to prevent infection by most pathogens is the result of a sophisticated set of defense mechanisms. These defense mechanisms can be divided into adaptive and innate immunity. Innate immunity encompasses defense mechanisms that pre-exist or are rapidly induced within hours of exposure to a pathogen. Conversely, adaptive or acquired immunity represents host defenses mediated by T and B lymphocytes, each expressing a highly specific antigen receptor and exhibiting memory during a second encounter with a given antigen. Immunologic disorders are relatively common in foals compared with their occurrence in adult horses. This article summarizes the current understanding of the equine fetal and neonatal immune system and reviews common immunodeficiency disorders as well as disorders resulting from allogenic incompatibilities.

Evaluation of treatment of colostrum-deprived kittens with equine IgG

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate equine IgG as a treatment for kittens with failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT).

ANIMALS

13 specific pathogen-free queens and their 77 kittens.

PROCEDURE

Kittens were randomized at birth into 9 treatment groups. One group contained colostrum-fed (nursing) kittens; the other groups contained colostrum-deprived kittens that were administered supplemental feline or equine IgG PO or SC during the first 12 hours after birth. Blood samples were collected at serial time points from birth to 56 days of age for determination of serum IgG concentrations. The capacity of equine IgG to opsonize bacteria for phagocytosis by feline neutrophils was determined via flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Kittens that received feline or equine IgG SC had significantly higher serum IgG concentrations than those of kittens that received the supplements PO. In kittens that were administered supplemental IgG SC, serum IgG concentrations were considered adequate for protection against infection. The half-life of IgG in kittens treated with equine IgG was shorter than that in kittens treated with feline IgG. Feline IgG significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of bacteria by feline neutrophils, but equine IgG did not.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Serum concentrations of equine IgG that are considered protective against infection are easily attained in kittens, but the failure of these antibodies to promote bacterial phagocytosis in vitro suggests that equine IgG may be an inappropriate treatment for FPT in kittens.

Use of adult cat serum to correct failure of passive transfer in kittens

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of adult cat serum as an immunoglobulin supplement in kittens with failure of passive transfer.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled study.

ANIMALS

11 specific pathogen-free queens and their 43 kittens.

PROCEDURE

Kittens were removed from the queens at birth, prior to suckling colostrum, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: colostrum-deprived, colostrum-fed, colostrum-deprived and administration of pooled adult cat serum i.p., and colostrum-deprived and administration of pooled adult serum s.c.. Colostrum-fed kittens were returned to the queen and allowed to suckle normally. Colostrum-deprived kittens were isolated from the queen and fed a kitten milk replacer for 2 days to prevent absorption of colostral IgG. All colostrum-deprived kittens were returned to the queen on day 3. Serum IgG concentrations were measured by radial immunodiffusion in the kittens at birth and 2 days and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after birth.

RESULTS

None of the kittens had detectable serum IgG at birth. Both i.p. and s.c. administration of adult cat serum resulted in peak serum IgG concentrations equivalent to those in kittens that suckled normally. Untreated colostrum-deprived kittens did not achieve serum IgG concentrations comparable to those for kittens in the other groups until 6 weeks of age.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that adult cat serum may be used as an immunoglobulin supplement in colostrum-deprived kittens. Although the minimum concentration of IgG necessary to protect kittens from infection is unknown, concentrations achieved were comparable to those in kittens that suckled normally.

Passive immunoglobin transfer in newborn calves fed colostrum or spray-dried serum protein alone or as a supplement to colostrum of varying quality

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of serum-derived immunoglobin (Ig) source and the effect of colostrum supplementation with serum-derived Ig on the attainment of passive immunity in newborn colostrum-deprived calves. In experiment 1, colostrum-deprived Holstein bull calves were fed pooled colostrum (PC, n = 9), spray-dried bovine serum (BS, n = 11), or spray- dried porcine serum (PS, n = 9). All treatments were balanced to provide 45 g of IgG in a 2-L volume at birth and again 12 h later. Calves receiving BS had higher 24-h serum IgG concentrations than did calves receiving PC or PS (8.3, 5.7, and 4.2 g of IgG/L for BS, PC, and PS, respectively). In experiment 2, the effect of supplementing bovine colostrum of varying quality with BS on Ig absorption was assessed. Thirty-two colostrum-deprived Holstein bull calves and four freemartin heifer calves were allotted by birth order to receive one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of 1) 2 L of pooled high quality colostrum (95.8 g of IgG, 0% from BS), 2) 2 L of pooled medium quality colostrum mixed with BS (95.2 g of IgG, 47% from BS), or 3) 2 L of low quality colostrum mixed with BS (98.8 g of IgG, 70% from BS). Serum IgG concentrations at 24 h after treatment were greater for calves receiving medium and low quality colostrum supplemented with BS (6.2, 9.6, and 9.6 g of IgG/L for high, medium, and low quality colostrum, respectively). Similarly, apparent efficiency of IgG absorption was greater for calves receiving medium and low quality colostrum supplemented with BS (25, 37, and 38% for high, medium, and low quality colostrum, respectively). The results of these studies suggest that dried BS contains a concentrated source of Ig, which is efficiently absorbed by newborn calves. Supplementation of marginal or low quality colostrum with dried BS is an effective means of improving passive transfer of IgG in newborn calves.

Secondary immunodeficiencies of horses

FPT of immunoglobulin in foals is the commonest form of acquired immunodeficiency in horses. FPT predisposes foals to bacterial infections and septicemia and easily is preventable and treatable if breeding farms and veterinarians are attentive to optimum foaling management practices. Other forms of acquired immunodeficiencies are uncommon in horses, although immune function may be transiently suppressed by a wide variety of drugs, infections, or other conditions. As immunologic testing becomes more sophisticated and more readily available to equine practitioners, acquired immunodeficiencies are likely to be characterized more frequently in horses.

A syndrome of anaemia, immunodeficiency and peripheral ganglionopathy in Fell pony foals

Fell pony foals developed a syndrome of anaemia, immunodeficiency and peripheral ganglionopathy. They became ill in the second or third week, and died in the second or third month of life. Clinical and pathological investigations revealed severe anaemia associated with small numbers of late erythroid precursors in bone marrow, small thymi, an absence of secondary lymphoid follicles, a lack of plasma cells and neuronal chromatolysis involving trigeminal, cranial mesenteric and dorsal root ganglia. Some of the foals had cryptosporidial enteritis and adenoviral bronchopneumonia and pancreatitis. The clinical and pathological findings were compatible with an intrinsic defect.

Update on neonatal septicemia

Septicemia is the second most commonly diagnosed problem in the equine neonate, superseded only by the problem of inadequate transfer of maternal antibodies. This article reviews the factors that may put a foal at high risk for developing sepsis, the diagnostic tools used to identify these animals, some of the sequelae of sepsis, and the therapeutic modalities available to the clinician.

Clinical view of disturbances in equine foetal maturation

This review summarises comparative aspects of equine pregnancy and birth. The allantochorion covers the entire endometrial surface of the mare's uterus and the placenta is microcotyledonary and epitheliochorial in structure. The foetus has, therefore, to pass through the allantochorion at birth. The umbilical cord has amniotic and allantoic portions and remains intact after delivery, enabling an arterial venous circulation to be maintained for several minutes. Maternal IgG does not cross the placental barrier and passive transfer post-natally is essential for immune status. Gestation in Thoroughbreds is 340 days with a wide range (320-360 days). Birth may be induced by oxytocin but dose rate is related inversely to gestational age. Normal foals rise, suck from the mare and gallop within 4 h after birth. Categorisation of newborn foal diseases into infective (Group 1) and non-infective (Groups 2, 3 and 4) conditions is presented. The neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS) affects full-term individuals, causing cerebral oedema, haemorrhage and/or ischaemic necrosis. NMS is related to the birth process and myocardial 'injury'. Prematurity and dysmaturity have origins in pre-natal disturbances of foetal maturation and physiology. Prematurity is a term ascribed to foals delivered at less than 320 days gestation whereas dysmaturity, for clinical convenience, describes foals born in the full-term period showing premature-like signs. Dysmature foals are generally associated with placental pathology. However, the distinction between the two groups is tenuos. Recent evidence suggests that 1) placental pathology is often present in premature foals; 2) differences exist in the degree of adrenocortical function. These affect clinical signs, prognosis and course of the condition. Placental pathology results in precocious adrenocortical maturation but the effect on maturation of other organ systems requires further study. Premature/dysmature foals fall into two groups; those with a favourable clinical outcome and those which make progress during the first 24 h post partum but deteriorate with development of neurological, metabolic and respiratory deficits (second day syndrome). Two models have been established to study premature/ dysmature foals. The first, developed in the early 1980s, was based on induction of mares from 280 days gestation to full term, using oxytocin. A premature, intermediary (twilight) and full-term status of adrenocortical function were identified; these categories correlating with changes in mammary secretion electrolytes. The same groupings have been related to other organ systems and metabolic functions of maturation. The second model establishes placental pathology from 220 to 260 days of gestation. A small area of placenta is separated from its uterine attachment, using a videoendoscope introduced through the cervix. Precocious adrenocortical function has been induced although further work is required to confirm the model as a means of investigating the pathogenesis of dysmaturity. Foetal injections of ACTH, CRH or betamethasone cause precocious increases in maternal plasma pregnane concentrations.

The raising of equine colostrum-deprived foals; maintenance and assessment of specific pathogen (EHV-1/4) free status

Over a period of two years, a total of 22 full term foals from Welsh Mountain pony mares were raised in conditions that were free from infection by Equid herpesvirus (EHV-1/4). Parturition dates were predicted by monitoring colostrum electrolytes, and the mares allowed to foal naturally under supervision or following induction with intravenous oxytocin. Immediately following birth, foals were separated from their dams and transferred to a specially built, positive pressure isolation unit. They were given antibiotic prophylaxis and fed bovine colostrum during the first 24 h, and then mare's milk replacer until weaned. Out of 22 specific pathogen free (SPF) foals one that had not been given antibiotic prophylaxis died of an E. coli septicaemia aged eight days. Two foals developed a streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection, which responded to antibiotic therapy and did not spread to the rest of the herd. A self limiting upper respiratory tract infection was seen in a fourth foal and mild diarrhoea was observed in six foals. Physical development in all SPF foals appeared normal and behavioural patterns resembled those of conventional handreared foals. Newborn foals were held in a separate quarantine area, within the isolation unit, and checked extensively for evidence of EHV-1/4 infection, before being transferred to the main holding unit. Periodic checks were then made for EHV-1/4 over a period ranging from 2 to 4 months; none of the SPF foals showed evidence of infection with EHV-1/4 in terms of clinical disease, virus isolation, sero-conversion or specific lymphocyte transformation.