Pre-foaling period in Trotter mares – 2: variations of protein fractions in pre-colostrum secretion

Mare has a diffuse epitheliochorial placenta that does not allow the transplacental passage of maternal antibodies to the foetus. As a consequence, newly-born foals are immunologically dependent on the absorption of colostral maternal immunoglobulins (Ig). Therefore, the newborn foal should immediately suckle an adequate quantity of colostrum to reach an haematological IgG concentration of 400 mg/dl which prevent the occurrence of Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT), disease which can be fatal to the foal (Jeffcott, 1972; Curadi and Orlandi, 1998).