Acquisition of passive immunity in domestic ungulates

Abstract

The ungulates possess an epteriochondrial placenta, which separates the maternal and foetal blood systems and thus reduces the permeability of the placenta to small molecules. Thus, in these species, the colostral imminoglobulins are the main source of protection factors which aid survival in the first days of life. This review deals with several aspects of passive immunity in ungulate neonates: the type and the origin of colostral immunoglobulins and factors which influence their production in the mother and their absorption form the gastrointestinal tract of the neonate.Recommendations for farmes to enhance natural postnatal immunity and recent technological advances in the production of immunoglobulin preparations are discussed.

The contribution of vacuolated foetal-type enterocytes in the process of maturation of the small intestine in piglets. Invited review

“…In addition to immunoglobulins, the colostrum contains a variety of factors that may accelerate the process of closing of the intestinal barrier (Tyler and Ramsey, 1993). It seems that the closing of the intestinal barrier depends on the uptake by the organism of the newborn of an appropriate quantity of biologically active factors and immunoglobulins present in the colostrum within a specified time window (Grognet and Duvaux-Ponter, 1998). It was shown that the closing of the intestinal barrier was extended in piglets that did not receive the appropriate amount of biologically active factors from the colostrum.…”

Regulatory peptides in milk, food and in the gastrointestinal lumen of young animals and children

“…Bioactive milk components, being the product of milk protein digestion, were recently the subject of several extensive reviews by Wong et al (1996), Meisel (1997), Rudloff and Kunz (1997), Schanbacher et al (1997), Tirelli et al (1997), and therefore will be only briefly mentioned in the section concerning processing of milk. Milk immunoglobulins are reviewed in this issue by Grongnet and Duvaux-Ponter (1998).…”

The influences of dietary inputs on the neonatal gastrointestinal tract: Managing the development of a complex ecosystem

“…As a consequence, receptivity to dietary management is likely to occur at different stages of development. Exemplary of this is the limited and species-specific period for acquisition of passive immunity by neonates (reviewed by Grongnet and Duvaux-Ponter, 1998). There is a need to identify "windows of opportunity" during which the GIT is responsive to dietary management.…”