Serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G concentrations in healthy or ill neonatal foals and healthy adult horses.

Background: Lactoferrin is a colostral glycoprotein with antimicrobial properties.

Hypotheses: (1) Serum lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations are correlated and increase in healthy foals after ingestion of colostrum; (2) compared to healthy foals, ill foals will have lower lactoferrin concentrations that correlate with their IgG concentration, neutrophil count, the diagnosis of sepsis, and survival; and (3) plasma concentrations of lactoferrin will be less than serum concentrations.

Animals: Healthy foals (n = 16), mature horses (n = 10), and ill foals 1-4 days old (n = 111) that were examined for suspected sepsis were used for blood collection. Colostrum was obtained from 10 healthy mares unrelated to the foals.

Methods: Blood was obtained from the healthy foals at birth and 1-3 days of age and from the ill foals at admission. Serum IgG was quantified by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID). Lactoferrin concentrations in colostrum and blood were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. The sepsis score, blood culture results, neutrophil counts, and survival were obtained on ill foals.

Results: The mean colostral lactoferrin concentration was 21.7 microg/mL. Compared to values at birth, serum IgG (18+/-2 versus 2,921+/-245 mg/dL, SEM) and lactoferrin (249+/-39 versus 445+/-63 ng/mL, SEM) concentrations were significantly greater in healthy foals 1-3 days old. Serum lactoferrin concentration in 1-3-day-old healthy foals was not different from mature horses or ill foals. IgG and lactoferrin concentrations were significantly correlated only in healthy foals. Serum lactoferrin concentrations were significantly lower in ill neutropenic foals. The serum IgG concentration was significantly lower in ill foals as compared to healthy foals. Only serum IgG was significantly less in ill foals with a positive sepsis score and in nonsurvivors, Plasma lactoferrin concentrations were lower than serum concentrations, although values were significantly correlated.

Clinical Importance: Although both serum IgG and lactoferrin concentrations increase in healthy foals after ingestion of colostrum, only serum IgG is significantly correlated with the sepsis score and outcome.