Equine colostrum production and utilisation: basic and applied aspects

Enlightenment to breeders about tke high incidence and high risk of passive immunisation failure by foals should be intensified. It is suggested to understand the initiation of the gut closure process in the newborn foal,investigate causes of inability to absorb Igs,study causes of poor colostrum quality and effect of mare nutrition,find key data in order to predict passive immune transfer

Equine passive immune transfer through colostrum

The aim of the work is to study equine passive immuno transfer through colostrum. We consider Igs concentration and transfer mechanism toward the lymphatic system until reaching the blood circulation. There is a close relationship between colostrum IgG concentration and colostrum specific gravity. Normally it’s recommended to collect 200-300 ml hight quality colostrum (specific gravity > 1.08) within 12 hours from foal birth but hyper- immunization program could be assessed feeding all the foal with about 500 ml hight quality colostrum

CD44 Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Susceptibility to Stress-Induced Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice

CD44 is a cell surface adhesion molecule and its principal ligand is hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of the brain’s extracellular matrix. CD44 levels are decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of depressed individuals, and the CD44 gene has been identified in genome wide association study as a possible risk gene in suicidal behavior. In order to define the pathobiological mechanisms by which CD44 may affect behavior, we investigated the role of CD44 using male CD44 knockout (CD44KO) and wild-type mice that underwent chronic mild stress (CMS). Behavior was characterized using the sucrose preference and forced swim tests, open field, novel object recognition, social preference, and the elevated plus maze tests. Gene expression in hippocampus was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Brain monoamines and their metabolites were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography and serum HA and IL-1β levels were measured using ELISA and electrochemiluminescence assays. CD44KO mice were more susceptible to stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and displayed increased anhedonia and despair than the wild-type controls. The behavioral phenotype of stressed CD44KO mice was associated with reduced cortical serotonergic and striatal dopaminergic turnover. The hippocampal expression of the receptor for HA-mediated motility (RHAMM) was reduced in the non- stressed CD44KO mice compared with WT mice, in a value similar to that observed in WT mice following exposure to stress. Taken together, our experiments suggest that CD44 plays a key role in stress response in mice