Production and Turnover of IgG1 and IgG2 Immunoglobulins in the Bovine around Parturition

Production rates (entry rate into blood plasma) and other metabolic parameters for the IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses of immunoglobulins in mammary secretions (ratio of about 7 to 1) were determined in cows around the time of parturition by both single-injection and continuous-infusion isotope-dilution techniques. Four cows were given a single dose of 150 to 200 muCi of iodine-125 labeled IgG1 and 100 to 250 muCi of iodine-131 labeled IgG2 at 2 to 1 wk before parturition. Four cows, including two of the above, were infused continuously with constant amounts of the labeled immunoglobulins starting at 11 to 4 days before parturition. All cows were maintained until 4 to 6 days after parturition for monitoring the specific activities of iodine-125 labeled IgG1 and iodine-131 labeled IgG2 in the plasma and mammary secretions. Maximum entry rates of IgG1 and IgG2 were between 3 and 1 day prepartum with means of 125 and 60 g/500 kg body weight per day. The exchangeable pool means for IgG1 and IgG2 were 619 and 643 g/500 kg body weight, and both immunoglobulins were divided almost equally between the intra- and extravascular pools. A greatly increased production and a shortened half-life or greater turnover for plasma IgG1 occurs around the time of parturition which can account for the large accumulation of IgG1 in colostrum.