Effect of colostrum on immunity of newborn domestic mammals during the first days of life

Stojic, V.; Stevanovic, J.; Kirovski, D.

Effect of colostrum on immunity of newborn domestic mammals during the first days of life

2000

Stojic, V. (Fakultet veterinarske medicine, Beograd (Yugoslavia)) | Stevanovic, J. | Kirovski, D.

Due to their undeveloped immune system, life in sterile conditions of intrauterine development where there is no specific stimulation with antigens, and due to the impermeability of the epiteliochorial or syndesmochorial type of placenta to blood macromolecules, like immunoglobulins, most newborn domestic mammals (calves, lambs, kids, foals, and piglets) are born with physiological agammaglobulinaemia. That is why it is very important for these animals to receive colostrum which practically gives them complete specific protection for the first period of postpartal life, that is, until they can start producing significant quantities of antibodies by themselves. This also pertains to newborn cats and dogs since they get during intrauterine development only 5-10% antibodies which they have in their blood during the first days of life, while they receive the remaining immunoglobulin through colostrum. In addition to immunoglobulin, colostrum is also abundant with different growth factors (IGF-I, insulin, epidermal growth factor, etc.), which create conditions for the resorption of colostral immunoglobulins. Factors which mostly determine the level of this resorption include the quantity of received colostrum and the immunoglobulin concentration in it, the time of intake of the first colostrum and the manner of its administration (suckling or through feed), the effect of stress, breed, seasonal factors, and the time spent by newborn animals with their mothers.

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