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Cited by 64Animal health and immunologyAnimal Nutrition and PhysiologyAnimal Virus Infections Studies

Immunoglobulin concentrations in feline colostrum and milk, and the requirement of colostrum for passive transfer of immunity to neonatal kittens

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Claus, Melissa A, Levy, Julie K, MacDonald, Kristin, Tucker, Sylvia J, Crawford, P Cynda·2006·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
DOI 10.1016/j.jfms.2006.01.001PMC PMC10832859
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether cats have a colostral and milk phase of lactation differentiated by concentrations of immunoglobulins, and whether colostrum ingestion by newborn kittens is essential for optimal transfer of passive immunity. Milk from specific pathogen-free queens was analyzed for IgG and IgA concentrations from parturition through 6 weeks of lactation. Serum IgG and IgA concentrations from birth through 8 weeks of age were determined for colostrum-fed kittens, colostrum-deprived kittens that were fed a milk replacer, and colostrum-deprived kittens that were fostered onto queens in the milk phase of lactation. The total IgG and IgA concentrations in milk were significantly higher on the day of parturition than on day 7 of lactation, indicating cats do have a colostral phase of lactation. The predominant immunoglobulin in both colostrum and milk was IgG. The serum IgG concentrations in colostrum-deprived kittens fostered on queens in the milk phase of lactation were similar to colostrum-deprived kittens fed a milk replacer, and the concentrations were significantly lower than in colostrum-fed kittens for the first 4 weeks of life. The serum IgA concentrations in both colostrum-deprived groups were significantly lower than colostrum-fed kittens on day 2 after parturition, but were similar thereafter. Colostrum-deprived kittens fostered onto queens in the milk phase of lactation had failure of passive transfer of maternal antibodies. Protective concentrations of immunoglobulins can be restored in kittens with failure of passive transfer of immunity by parenteral administration of adult cat serum, but not by fostering on queens in mid-lactation.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jfms.2006.01.001

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  • Serum IgG concentrations of <400 mg/dl were observed in colostrum-deprived kittens and suggested as the threshold to detect failure of passive transfer of immunity.

    “serum igG concentrations of <400 mg/dl were observed in colostrumdeprived kittens and, therefore, this was suggested as the threshold to detect failure of passive transfer of immunity”

    From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [27]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that all colostrum-deprived kittens had serum IgG below 400 mg/dl for their first four weeks. It applies the <400 mg/dl failure-of-passive-transfer criterion from large animal neonates, but says the minimum IgG concentration required for adequate passive transfer in kittens is unknown; it does not establish a feline diagnostic threshold. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The major immunoglobulin class in both colostrum and milk is IgG.

    “The major ig class in both colostrum and milk is igG.”

    From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [27]

  • The cat's colostral phase of lactation has been demonstrated by higher total concentrations of immunoglobulin classes G and A in mammary secretions collected on the day of parturition when compared with day 7 of lactation.

    “The cat's colostral phase of lactation has been demonstrated by higher total concentrations of immunoglobulin (ig) classes G and A in the mammary secretions collected on the day of parturition when compared with day 7 of lactation.”

    From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [27]

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Hardy RN (1964) Intestinal absorption of macromolecules in the newborn pig. Proceedings in Physiology 25e26, 19Pe20P.
  2. Mason JH, Dalling T, Gordon WS (1930) Transmission of ma- ternal immunity. Journal of Pathology 33, 783e797.
  3. Smith T, Little RB (1922) The significance of colostrum to the newborn calf. Journal of Experimental Medicine 36, 181e198.

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Related

Authors
Claus, M. A., Levy, J. K., MacDonald, K., Tucker, S. J., & Crawford, P. C.
Affiliations
University of Florida (US)
Corresponding author
Crawford, P Cynda
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2006-06
Volume
8
Issue
3
Pages
184-191
ISSN
  • 1098-612X (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-2750
DOI
10.1016/j.jfms.2006.01.001
PMC
PMC10832859
OpenAlex
W2030511137
Cited by
64
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI
1.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal health and immunology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Virus Infections Studies
Keywords
immunoglobulins, IgG, IgA, passive transfer, failure of passive transfer, kittens, colostrum deprivation, milk replacer, foster rearing, lactation, maternal antibodies, serum immunoglobulin concentration
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Feed, Animals, Newborn, Animals, Suckling, Cats, Colostrum, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Food, Formulated, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin G, Immunity, Maternally-Acquired, Male

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