Administration of RRR-α-tocopherol to pregnant mares stimulates maternal IgG and IgM production in colostrum and enhances vitamin E and IgM status in foals.
Authors: Bondo T, Jensen S K
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Vitamin E Supplementation in Late Pregnancy Enhances Colostral Immunity and Foal Status Vitamin E's role in immune function is well-established, yet its specific impact on passive transfer of immunity via colostrum has received limited investigation in equine practice. Bondo and Jensen supplemented 17 Danish Warmblood mares with 2500 IU daily of RRR-α-tocopherol during the final four weeks of pregnancy, comparing colostral composition and foal plasma status against 17 unsupplemented controls (receiving only 170–320 IU from feed). The supplemented group produced colostrum with substantially elevated α-tocopherol concentrations—approximately 2.8 times higher on day one post-partum (36.7 versus 13.1 μmol/l)—and crucially, demonstrated significantly increased IgG and IgM levels on days 2 and 3, with foals from supplemented mares showing markedly superior plasma IgM by day 3 (0.50 versus 0.32 mg/ml). For practitioners managing pregnant mares, particularly those at risk of producing inadequate passive transfer, targeted vitamin E supplementation in the final month of gestation appears to offer a practical, non-invasive strategy to enhance both colostral antibody delivery and foals' early immunological status, potentially reducing disease susceptibility during the critical neonatal period.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Administering 2500 IU of vitamin E daily during the final 4 weeks of pregnancy significantly improves colostrum quality and foal passive immunity transfer without additional cost or complexity
- •This supplementation strategy provides foals with superior vitamin E status in the critical first days of life, supporting immune function and reducing oxidative stress during the neonatal period
- •Vitamin E supplementation of pregnant mares is a simple, cost-effective management tool to enhance foal health outcomes with no apparent adverse effects
Key Findings
- •Supplementing pregnant mares with 2500 IU daily RRR-α-tocopherol for 4 weeks pre-partum increased milk α-tocopherol concentrations 2.8-fold on day 1 (36.7 vs 13.1 μmol/l)
- •Maternal supplementation elevated IgG in colostrum on days 2-3 post-partum (1.03 and 0.73 mg/ml vs 0.79 and 0.56 mg/ml in controls)
- •Foals from supplemented mares had 2.5-fold higher plasma α-tocopherol by day 3 (19.2 vs 7.6 μmol/l) and higher IgM on day 3 (0.50 vs 0.32 mg/ml)
- •Total fatty acid content in milk was highest on day 1 (21.6 g/kg) and decreased on days 2-3 (13.5-13.6 g/kg)