Evaluation of surrogate markers for passive transfer of immunity in kittens.
OBJECTIVE
To identify surrogate markers of passive transfer of immunity in kittens.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
55 kittens from 12 specific-pathogen-free queens.


METHODS
Kittens were allocated at birth into colostrum-fed (n = 27) and colostrum-deprived (28) groups. Blood was collected at birth and on days 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56. Serum samples were analyzed for activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, amylase, and lipase and for concentrations of albumin, total protein, bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, and triglycerides by use of an automated analyzer. Total serum solids concentrations were estimated by use of refractometry. Serum IgG concentrations were quantified by use of radial immunodiffusion.


RESULTS
All kittens were agammaglobulinemic at birth. Colostrum-fed kittens had significantly higher IgG concentrations than did colostrum-deprived kittens from 1 though 28 days of age. Transient significant differences in serum biochemical variables between the colostrum-deprived and colostrum-fed groups were substantially resolved by day 4. Passive transfer of immunity could be reliably determined at 1 day of age and to a lesser extent at 2 days of age only by measurement of serum activity of ALP.


CONCLUSIONS
Adequacy of passive transfer in kittens initially correlated with serum activity of ALP, but quantification of serum IgG concentration was necessary after 2 days of age.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
P Cynda
PC
Crawford
Julie K
JK
Levy
Linda L
LL
Werner
D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002415:Cats / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase