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Review
. 2021 Mar;62(3):233-239.

Passive transfer of colostral leukocytes: A benefit/risk analysis

John Ellis  1
Affiliations
Review

Passive transfer of colostral leukocytes: A benefit/risk analysis

John Ellis. Can Vet J. 2021 Mar.

Abstract
in English, French

Passive immunity is a requirement for survival of conventionally reared domestic animals. Maternal antibody is recognized as the primary effector mechanism of protection of the neonate. There is interest, especially in bovine medicine, in the maternal leukocytes that are also transferred in colostrum. These leukocytes are thought to somehow aid in the development of the neonatal immune system and participate in cellular immune reactions in the neonate, although the means by which this is accomplished is unknown. The purpose of this article is to review the immunology of this maternal/neonatal interaction, and on that basis, evaluate the practical benefits and risks of assuring passive transfer of colostral leukocytes.

Transfert passif des leucocytes du colostrum : une analyse bénéfice/risque. L’immunité passive est une condition de survie des animaux domestiques d’élevage conventionnel. Les anticorps maternels sont reconnus comme le principal mécanisme de protection du nouveau-né. On s’intéresse, notamment en médecine bovine, aux leucocytes maternels également transférés dans le colostrum. On pense que ces leucocytes aident d’une manière ou d’une autre au développement du système immunitaire néonatal et participent aux réactions immunitaires cellulaires chez le nouveau-né, bien que les moyens par lesquels cela est accompli soient inconnus. Le but de cet article est de passer en revue l’immunologie de cette interaction mère/nouveau-né et, sur cette base, d’évaluer les bénéfices pratiques et les risques d’assurer le transfert passif des leucocytes du colostrum.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

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