Abstract
Wide differences in Ig concentration in canine colostrum have been reported. Thus, some litters can be at risk of passive immune transfer failure. Present study evaluated if supplementation with MOS, FOS, E. faecium and L. acidophilus along pregnancy increases colostrum quality. Twenty Great Dane bitches were divided into 4 groups. Control group (CG) received standard diet, only. Diet was supplemented with pre- and probiotics in other 3 study groups during: the last (1WG), last 2 (2WG), and last 4 (4WG) weeks of pregnancy, until parturition. Serum samples were collected at estrous (T0), supplementation beginning (T1), and parturition (T2). Colostrum was collected at C-section end. The IgG, IgM, and IgA were assayed on both matrices. In serum, IgG were higher at T0 than at parturition in all study groups and they significantly lowered from T0 to T1 in all groups. In colostrum, IgG and IgM were significantly higher in 4WG, while IgA already increased in 2WG group. Four-week pre- and probiotic supplementation resulted in the best immune properties of colostrum, as by the higher IgG, IgM, and IgA colostrum levels found in 4WG. Further studies would verify the exact mechanisms involved: pre-partum IgG mammary accumulation and B-cells GALT proliferation and mammary transfer. Further trials would verify whether these beneficial effects of pre- and probiotics on colostrum also lead to improved clinical conditions and immunological functions of newborns and puppies.
Highlights
The immune system of puppies is functionally immature at birth
Bitches were regularly vaccinated according to the WSAVA 2015 Vaccination Guidelines [13], i.e., every third year against distemper (CDV), infectious hepatitis (CAV), parvovirosis (CPV2) and para-influenza virus (PiV) (Nobivac CEPPi, MSD Animal Health srl, Milano, Italy), and annually for selected non-core diseases, i.e., leptospirosisi and kennel cough (Nobivac L4 and Nobivac KC, MSD Animal Health srl, Milano, Italy)
IgG significantly decreased from T0 to T2 in all the study groups (CG: 538.53 ± 169.54 mg/dl vs. 302.19 ± 128.26; 1WG: 558.78 ± 138.59 vs. 320.40 ± 193.75; 2WG: 519.03 ± 61.06 vs. 318.05 ± 127.44; 4WG: 588.25 ± 55.82 vs. 366.50 ± 184.31), while IgA and IgM did not vary (Table 2)
Summary
The immune system of puppies is functionally immature at birth. It already has in place all its constitutive functional components, which are yet naive and will develop under the environmental influence [1], building up the immune memory and reaching the balance between Th1 and Th2 immune responses [2]. Colostrum represents a crucial source of passive immunity thanks to immunological factors, such as IgG, IgA, and IgM [4]. The IgG concentrate from blood to the mammary gland [5, 6], while IgM and IgA are concentrated in colostrum by an enteromammary link that allows the plasma cells transfer from gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) to the mammary gland [3]. The GALT is the major site of B-cells proliferation; gut flora is essential for the development of GALT, for the humoral immune response [3]
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