Transfer of tumour necrosis factor-α via colostrum to foals.
Authors: Secor E J, Matychak M B, Felippe M J B
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, is passively transferred to foals through colostrum absorption in the immediate postnatal period, according to this 2012 analysis by Secor and colleagues. The researchers measured TNF-α and immunoglobulin G concentrations in colostrum samples and paired pre- and post-suckle foal sera from healthy mares and their offspring, using ELISA and radial immunodiffusion techniques respectively. TNF-α was virtually undetectable in presuckle foal serum (15 of 16 foals) but rose significantly after colostrum ingestion to mean concentrations of 7.7 × 10⁴ pg/ml, with a strong positive correlation between colostral and postsuckle foal TNF-α levels (rho=0.668; P=0.005). Notably, whilst absolute TNF-α and IgG concentrations showed no correlation, the TNF-α/IgG ratio in colostrum and postsuckle serum demonstrated significant correlation (rho=0.750; P=0.0008), suggesting TNF-α transfer is proportionally independent of antibody transfer. These findings indicate that maternally-derived TNF-α may contribute to the foal's nascent immune response during the critical early postnatal window, supporting the importance of adequate colostrum quality beyond passive antibody transfer alone—a consideration relevant to breeding management, neonatal health protocols, and failure of passive transfer assessment.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Ensure foals receive adequate colostrum within hours of birth, as TNF-α transfer via colostrum contributes to early immune protection beyond passive IgG transfer alone
- •Monitor colostrum quality in mares as an indicator of TNF-α transfer; colostrum management becomes increasingly important for neonatal foal health outcomes
- •Recognize that foals receiving inadequate or no colostrum may lack not only immunoglobulins but also important cytokine-mediated early immune support
Key Findings
- •TNF-α is transferred to foals via colostrum absorption, with postsuckle serum concentrations reaching a mean of 7.7 × 10⁴ pg/ml compared to undetectable presuckle levels in 15/16 foals
- •TNF-α concentrations in postsuckle foal serum correlated significantly with colostrum TNF-α levels (rho=0.668; P=0.005)
- •TNF-α and IgG concentrations did not correlate independently, but their ratio showed significant correlation between colostrum and postsuckle foal serum (rho=0.750; P=0.0008)
- •TNF-α transferred via colostrum may play a role in early neonatal immunity independent of IgG transfer