A lactogenic-immune-deficiency-syndrome in cows: unexplained phenomenon.

The majority of adult cows in a certain dairy herd, were found to have very low levels of immunoglobulins (Igs) in their colostrum. This phenomenon was defined by us as Lactogenic-Immune-Deficiency-Syndrome (LIDS). The mean IgG levels were 44.5 and 57.2 mg ml-1 respectively (on two different occasions) as compared to that of a control group which was 103.4 mg ml-1. The levels of Igs in the colostra of heifers from the same herd were found to be higher than those of adult cows. The degree of LIDS was found to be closely related to the age of cows in the herd. The low levels of Igs in the colostra were not directly linked to their concentrations in the sera of the affected cows. The relatively low amount of IgA in the affected colostra suggests that the local production in the lymph tissue associated with the mammary glands is impaired as well. In order to investigate the etiology of the phenomenon, tests were carried out to reveal whether bovine leucosis virus (BLV) infection or immune complexes were involved in the pathogenesis of LIDS. The results were negative. The etiology of LIDS remains for the time being unknown.

Evaluation for immune system failures in horses and ponies.

Between January 1973 and September 1979, 2,092 horses and ponies were evaluated for immunologic disorders. A total of 418 abnormalities were detected in 416 (20%) of the animals tested. Disorders encountered were failure or partial failure of colostral immunoglobulin transfer from mare to foal (228 cases), combined immunodeficiency (159 cases), selective immunoglobulin M deficiency (19 cases), agammaglobulinemia (3 cases), transient hypogammaglobulinemia (2 cases), and lymphosarcoma (7 cases). Four conclusions were drawn from the study. (1) Immunologic abnormalities occur commonly in horses and ponies. (2) Failure and partial failure of passive transfer were the most common disorders, involving 19.7% of surveyed foals at risk. (3) Combined immunodeficiency remains a disease limited to Arabian horses. (4) Considering the high frequency of immunologic disorders in horses and the availability of diagnostic tests for the disorders, older animals with recurrent infections as well as all newborn foals should be evaluated for immune disorders.

Immunoglobulin M associated with secretory component and immunoglobulin A deficiency in bovine colostrum.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) M purified from bovine colostrum was examined by an immunodiffusion analysis with antisecretory IgA serum and was found to be associated with a secretory component. Some of the combined proteins were dissociated if treated with 5 M guanidine-HCl and others were not. Another immunodiffusion analysis of 23 specimens of colostrum led to the finding that certain colostrums were deficient in IgA, even though they contained IgG and IgM.