Serum interleukin-6 concentrations in endotoxin-infused neonatal foals.
Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration was measured in 11 colostrum-fed (CF) and 8 colostrum-deprived (CD) 2- to 3-day-old foals after foals were infused with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin, 0.5 microgram/kg of body weight in sterile saline [0.9% NaCl] solution). Four CF and 2 CD foals were given saline solution alone. Serum IL-6 concentration was estimated by use of an in vitro proliferative bioassay, using the IL-6 dependent B.13.29 clone 9 cells. Interleukin-6 concentration increased in all LPS-infused foals, and geometric mean serum IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in CF than CD foals 30 and 90 minutes after infusion. Both LPS-infused groups had multiple spikes of mean IL-6 concentration that peaked at 120 minutes in CF foals and 150 minutes in CD foals. Results indicated that IL-6 is produced in neonatal foals in response to LPS infusion. Furthermore, colostrum deprivation resulted in longer times to peak mean serum IL-6 concentration and tended to reduce serum IL-6 concentration in neonatal foals.
Robinson
J A
JA
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211.
Allen
G K
GK
Green
E M
EM
Garner
H E
HE
Loch
W E
WE
Walsh
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D003126:Colostrum; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011247:Pregnancy
D004731:Endotoxins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides