[Does a drug administered by oral route affect the transfer of maternal antibodies in piglets? (author's transl)].

The constituents of colostrum, which block the absorption of maternal antibodies shortly after the birth of piglets, are poorly defined. Therefore it cannot be stated off-hand whether the blocking of absorption may (also) be induced by oral administration of drugs shortly after parturition. To study this possibility, pregnant sows were immunized with bovine IgG, and a preparation of iron (used to prevent anaemia) was administered orally. The uptake of antibodies to bovine IgG in these piglets then was compared with that in a group of controls. In six out of sixteen litters studied, the uptake of antibodies was found to be significantly lower than that in the Fe-treated group. This adverse effect on the uptake of antibodies, resulting from the drug administered, would appear to warrant a closer study of this and other drugs to be administered shortly after parturition.