Effect of Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and β-glucans to Mares During Late Gestation on Colostrum Quality and Passive Transfer of Immunity in Foals.
Authors: Sobral Gilvannya Gonçalves de, Gomes Neto Oswaldo Christiano, Carneiro Gustavo Ferrer
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary During late gestation (from day 300 of pregnancy onwards), dietary supplementation of mares with either *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* (1010 CFU orally) or β-glucans (0.35g orally) was investigated in a randomised trial of 21 mares to determine whether these feed additives could enhance colostral immunoglobulin transfer to newborn foals. Mares receiving β-glucan supplementation produced colostrum with significantly elevated IgG concentrations (74.14 g/L versus 53.80 g/L in controls), whilst foals born to *S. cerevisiae*-supplemented dams demonstrated higher serum IgG levels at 12 hours post-partum (11.57 g/L) compared to control foals. These findings suggest that targeted maternal nutrition in the final trimester offers a practical approach to bolstering passive transfer of immunity in neonatal foals—a critical determinant of disease resistance during the vulnerable early life period. For practitioners, incorporating β-glucan or yeast-based supplements into late-gestation feeding programmes may represent a cost-effective strategy to optimise colostral quality without requiring intensive management interventions at parturition.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Consider recommending β-glucan supplementation to mare owners during the final 3 months of pregnancy to improve colostrum quality and foal immunity
- •Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation during late gestation may enhance early serum IgG levels in newborn foals, supporting disease resistance in the critical first days of life
- •These cost-effective dietary interventions offer a practical strategy to optimize passive transfer of immunity without pharmaceutical intervention
Key Findings
- •Mares supplemented with β-glucans produced colostrum with significantly higher IgG concentrations (74.14±15.25 g/L) compared to control (53.80±10.95 g/L)
- •Foals born to mares supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae had significantly higher serum IgG at 12 hours post-birth (11.57±5.05 g/L) versus control group
- •Dietary manipulation of pregnant mares in late gestation (from day 300 to delivery) with specific immunostimulant supplements can enhance passive immunity transfer to foals