Passive transfer of maternal immunity in the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), involvement of heavy chain antibodies

Abstract

In many mammalian species, newborns are agammaglobulinemic; thus, colostrum and milk are the main sources of early protective antibodies. These antibodies are produced in the mother's serum and transferred to mammalian glands a few days before parturition. Here, we have studied the transfer of immunity from a she-camel immunized with human serum albumin (HSA) to her calf via colostrum and milk. Our results show that HSA-specific antibodies are produced in the mother's serum and are subsequently transferred to her colostrum. These specific antibodies are then transferred by suckling to the calf. The calf serum did not contain HSA-reactive antibodies at parturition and before the first feed, after suckling, a rise in reactivity was observed peaking at 24 h postpartum. The involvement of heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs) in the process of immunity transfer was also examined, and it was found that they were also transferred from the colostrum to the calf serum like conventional antibodies.

Recent Advances in Camel Immunology

“…Therefore, the newborn camel calf is born without serum immunoglobulins and postnatal protection mainly relies on an adequate absorption of maternal colostral antibodies until the maturation of the calf's own immune system (174,175). The transfer of colostral immunoglobulins to the newborn camel calf has been subject of many investigations (176)(177)(178)(179)(180)(181)(182). Several immunoglobulin classes, including the IgM, IgG, and IgA, have been identified in the camel colostrum (182).…”

“…Both classical two-chain antibodies (IgG1) and HCAbs (IgG2 and IgG3) are present in camel colostrum (182), and both are involved in the passive transfer of colostral IgG antibodies to the newborn calf (178,179). Some studies investigated the development of IgG (176) and HCAbs (178) in the blood of the newborn camel calf. The rise in serum IgG levels in calf serum two months after birth is indicative of the production of significant levels of the calf's own IgG (177,184).…”

The Camel's (Camelus Dromedarius) Mammary Gland Immune System in Health and Disease

“…The subclasses IgG1 and IgG2 dominate the immunoglobulin content of colostrum with higher level of IgG1 (91.6%) [10,21]. The maternal transfer of IgG1 and the heavy chain antibodies to camel calf was documented within 24 hours of parturition [40]. Unfortunately, the role of the antibacterial IgG subclasses in immune responses to the pathogens involved in mastitis is not clear.…”

Mismothering and remedying the mother-young relationship in stabled dromedary camels

“…Should this happen, it is important to develop practical solution to remedy mismothering. Like other ruminants, newborn camels are agammaglobulinemic, so colostrum is the main source of food and early protective antibodies (Salhi et al, 2014). Any delay in colostrum ingestion due to inadequate maternal care may be fatal.…”