Pre- and Probiotics to Increase the Immune Power of Colostrum in Dogs

Abstract

Wide differences in Ig concentration in canine colostrum have been reported. Thus, some litters can be at risk of passive immune transfer failure. Present study evaluated if supplementation with MOS, FOS, E. faecium and L. acidophilus along pregnancy increases colostrum quality. Twenty Great Dane bitches were divided into 4 groups. Control group (CG) received standard diet, only. Diet was supplemented with pre-and probiotics in other 3 study groups during: the last (1WG), last 2 (2WG), and last 4 (4WG) weeks of pregnancy, until parturition. Serum samples were collected at estrous (T0), supplementation beginning (T1), and parturition (T2). Colostrum was collected at C-section end. The IgG, IgM, and IgA were assayed on both matrices. In serum, IgG were higher at T0 than at parturition in all study groups and they significantly lowered from T0 to T1 in all groups. In colostrum, IgG and IgM were significantly higher in 4WG, while IgA already increased in 2WG group. Four-week pre-and probiotic supplementation resulted in the best immune properties of colostrum, as by the higher IgG, IgM, and IgA colostrum levels found in 4WG. Further studies would verify the exact mechanisms involved: pre-partum IgG mammary accumulation and B-cells GALT proliferation and mammary transfer. Further trials would verify whether these beneficial effects of pre-and probiotics on colostrum also lead to improved clinical conditions and immunological functions of newborns and puppies.

Galacto-oligosaccharides fed during gestation increase Rotavirus A specific antibodies in sow colostrum, modulate the microbiome, and reduce infectivity in neonatal piglets in a commercial farm setting

“…Few animal studies have investigated how pre- and/or probiotics fed to epitheliochorial pregnant mammals interact with the immune composition of mammary secretions. In dogs, pregnant bitches fed a mixture of fructo-oligosaccharides, mannan-oligosaccharides, E. faecium and L. acidophilus expressed significantly more IgG, IgM and IgA in colostrum ( 57 ). Possible mechanisms are the modulation of immunoglobulin secretion by the maternal microbiome.…”

The Function of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Canine Intestinal Health and Their Evaluation Criteria

“…Another trial shows that prebiotics benefit IgE and IgA secretion and enhance intestinal barrier function [ 69 , 70 ]. Interestingly, in addition to increasing intestinal immunoglobulins, probiotics can promote the IgG, IgM, and IgA levels in the colostrum, thereby improving neonatal clinical conditions and immune function [ 71 ].…”

Nutritional and Functional Properties of Colostrum in Puppies and Kittens

“…Prebiotics and probiotics could interact with the immune composition of mammary secretions, influencing the distribution and relative abundance of specific immune responses in dogs and cats [ 129 ]; inducing higher luminal secretions of IgA in the small intestine; enhancing the immunoglobulins concentration in mammary secretions, by means of the immune entero-mammary link in monogastric species. As a consequence, higher levels of immunoglobulins could be transferred to puppies [ 130 ]. It was demonstrated that pre- and probiotics administration to the mother during pregnancy increases colostrum quality (higher immunoglobulin concentrations).…”