[The development of the IgG concentration in the blood serum of newborn foals]

The aim of this study was to determine the course of the IgG concentration in blood serum of neonatal foals. A comparison of blood serum IgG concentration of the mares showed IgG values of 3356 +/- 671 mg/dl up to a maximum of 3579 +/- 766 mg/dl (means +/- s). In accordance with Eisenhauer (1981) and in contrast to Jeffcott (1974) no significant change of the IgG level in the blood serum of the mares could be observed during the test period. However, the IgG concentration in the colostrum of meanG = 11776 mg/dl during birth decreased considerably 96 hours later with meanG = 135 mg/dl. At birth in all samples, small amounts of IgG could be detected. The IgG level of the foals' blood increased rapidly after the ingestion of colostrum; 6 of 16 foals showed more than 800 mg/dl six hours post natum, reaching maximum levels 18 hours after birth with meanG = 1343 mg/dl. At 96 hours post natum, the IgG concentration dropped to meanG = 1170 mg/dl. The correlation of IgG concentration in colostrum and serum was significant.