Comparison of serum IgG concentration, total protein, glutaraldehyde coagulation test and gamma glutamyl transferase in neonatal foals

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to detect the passive transfer status in healthy neonatal foals by comparing serum immunoglobulin G (sIgG) concentration, serum total protein (STP), glutaraldehyde coagulation test (GCT) duration and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity . Fifteen neonatal foals (0-15 days old)’ blood samples were collected before suckling (day 0), 12th hour (hr), 24th hr (1st day), 7th and 15th days. Serum IgG and STP levels significantly increased after the 12th hr. Conversely, serum GCT duration significantly decreased (p< 0.05) in neonatal foals after the 12th hr. The result of the present study was shown that measurements of sIgG, STP concentration and GCT duration are useful parameters to detect Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) in neonatal foals. While GCT and STP provide a simple and inexpensive field test, serum GGT measurement is not a beneficial test to determine colostrum intake in newborn foals.