LACK OF ACID-RESISTANT TRYPSIN-INHIBITOR IN MARES COLOSTRUM - SHORT COMMUNICATION

Mare's colostrum was collected and examined for the presence of trypsi n inhibitors. It was found to contain a low level of trypsin inhibitor which could be denatured by 2.5% trichloroacetic acid and, therefore, it clearly differs from the acid-resistant colostral inhibitor of Art iodactyla and Carnivora. This finding is exceptional for a species tha t concentrates IgG in the colostrum and whose newborn absorbs colostra l proteins non-selectively by the gut. It appears that the presence of colostral trypsin inhibitor is not essential for the transmission of maternal immunity via the colostrum and the gut.