Effects of oral administration of concentrated equine serum IgG to newborn foals on passive immunity

Abstract

Thirteen newborn foals of Quarter Horse breeding were used to determine if oral administration of concentrated equine serum increases concentrations of IgG in foals allowed to naturally suckle colostrum. Foals were alternately assigned either to receive 300 ml of an oral equine serum IgG product or to serve as controls. Foals receiving the IgG product were given 150 ml orally at 10 hours and again at 12 hours after birth. All foals were allowed to suckle from their dams ad libitum. Jugular blood samples were obtained from foals at 10 hours and 24 hours of age for IgG determination. Colostrum samples from the dam were also obtained within 3 hours following parturition for determination of specific gravity. Plasma samples were analyzed for IgG level using a commercially available radial immunodiffusion kit. Oral administration of equine serum IgG had no significant effect on concentrations of plasma IgG in foals at 24 hours of age (p>.34). There was also no difference between control and treated foals in the rate of IgG absorption from 10-24 hours after birth (p>.34). In conclusion, oral administration of equine IgG to foals that ingest their dam's colostrum does not significantly increase concentrations of plasma IgG when compared to controls.