The relationship between concentrations of vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) in serum and colostrum of mares and in serum of their foals in the neonatal period.

Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) participates in the actin scavenger system, it is a carrier of vitamin D and its derivatives, it manifests the capacity to bind mainly monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, it binds to the surface of several cells and enhances chemotactic activity of C5a of the complement. The present study was aimed at answering the question whether serum DBP level in mares is related to levels of this protein in colostrum and in serum of its progeny. For this purpose, sera from 77 mares, colostra from 72 mares and sera from 69 Thoroughbred foals were collected.