Concentration of immunoglobulin G in French Bulldog neonates

Abstract

In canines, the placental type is endotheliochorial, which limits the transplacental passage of
immunoglobulins. Neonates depend on the antibodies present in colostrum. This study aimed to determine
the serum concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in females during the peripartum period, analyze the
kinetics of IgG in the serum of offspring during the first month of life, and compare the IgG concentration
in the mother with that of the offspring at 48 hours postpartum. Nine French Bulldog females along with
their offspring were examined. The mean concentration of IgG in females was 1622.22 mg/dL. In the
puppies, IgG levels were found to be 127.95 mg/dL at birth, 843.1 mg/dL at 48 hours, and 283 mg/dL at
30 days. The IgG values in females were within the normal range for the canine species. However, the
offspring exhibited an initial higher level of IgG that significantly decreased at 30 days postpartum, which
is known as the "immunological gap".