Serum immunoglobulins in aborted and non-aborted bovine foetuses

The concentration of immunoglobulin classes G, M and A (IgG, IgM and IgA) in the sera of 233 aborted and 201 non-aborted foetuses was measured. IgM was first detected in a foetus at day 90 of gestation while IgG and IgA were first detected on day 111 of gestation. Immunoglobulins were detected in 81.5% of aborted foetuses and 32.8% of non-aborted foetuses. Total immunoglobulin concentrations of 20 mg/100 ml or greater were found in 35.2% of aborted foetuses but only in 4.5% of non-aborted foetuses. It is suggested that factors resulting in antigenic stimulation of the foetus may play an important part in bovine abortion.