Immunoglobulins G and lysozyme concentrations in canine fetal fluids at term of pregnancy

In the dog, the endotheliochorial placenta allows only the 5% to 10% transfer of maternal antibodies to the fetus, but the timing and the factors influencing the immunoglobulin G (IgG) transplacental transport were not fully investigated. The aims of the present study were the following: (1) to assess the presence of both IgG and lysozyme in amniotic and allantoic fluids collected from fully developed and viable newborn puppies born by elective cesarean section at term and possible correlations between amniotic and allantoic IgG and lysozyme levels; (2) to verify possible differences in IgG and lysozyme concentrations between the two fluids; and (3) to detect possible differences in IgG and lysozyme fetal fluid levels in relation to the maternal breed body size and parity, as well as to the neonatal gender. The study, performed on 41 purebred bitches submitted to elective cesarean section at term, enrolled 142 puppies, 74 males and 68 females, born mature, viable, without gross malformations, and with a normal weight. At surgery, a total of 129 amniotic and 84 allantoic samples were collected for IgG and lysozyme analysis. Class G immunoglobulins and lysozyme were detected in both fluids, but IgG concentrations were higher (P<0.01) in amniotic fluid. Moreover, a significant positive correlation (P<0.01) between IgG amniotic and allantoic levels, but not for lysozyme, was observed. A significant effect of the maternal parity (P