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Neonatal isoerythrolysis in mule foals
J L Traub-Dargatz1, J J McClure, C Koch
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Mule foals receiving antibodies from colostrum can develop anemia or thrombocytopenia due to incompatible blood types. This study identifies a unique donkey antigen causing mare sensitization during breeding.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) is a condition where a dam's antibodies attack the neonate's red blood cells (RBCs).
- This can occur in horses when mares are exposed to fetal RBC antigens inherited from the sire, typically during a previous pregnancy or mating.
Observation:
- Four mule foals ingested colostrum containing anti-RBC antibodies from their dams.
- Two foals developed anemia, one severe thrombocytopenia, and one showed no adverse effects.
- Seven mares bred to a specific donkey sire produced anti-RBC antibodies, with two showing sensitization after the first mating.
Findings:
- A donkey sire possessed a unique RBC antigen, also found in its offspring, which is specific to donkeys and mules.
- This antigen caused incompatibility in all matings between this donkey sire and horse mares.
- Mares bred to this donkey sire exhibited a high rate of sensitization to the donkey RBC antigen.
Implications:
- Identifies a specific RBC antigen in donkeys that poses a risk for neonatal isoerythrolysis in mules.
- Highlights the importance of blood type compatibility in equine breeding, particularly with donkey-horse crosses.
- Suggests further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind the high rate of mare sensitization to this antigen.