Articles

Colostrum: Use of New Zealand colostrum as a dietary supplement
Immunoglobulins: The function of IgG and IgA as part of the natural immuno-function.
Secretory IgA: The role of secretory IgA (sIgA)
Enhanced IgA: The use of advanced techniques to create specific functioned antigens.
Vitamin A: The role it plays in maintaining a healthy body function
Probiotics: A new means to boost the animal's immuno system

Colostrum: Use of New Zealand colostrum as a dietary supplement

Colostrum is the essence of all good health for new-born animals and humans. Colostrum is a rich and vital source of immunoglobulins, essential amino-acids, lactoferrin, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and essential growth hormones. The biological action of colostrum is to enhance the immune system, stimulate cell growth and, with new-born animals, provide passive immunity against infectious diseases. All colostrum used is sourced from specifically tested herds and extracted, sterilised and processed via an established international standard to maintain maximum benefit.

Immunoglobulins: The function of IgG and IgA as part of the natural immuno-function.

The immune system is a critical feature of the mammalian host defence mechanism. The immune system responds to and is activated by a number of factors and the most common of these is invasion by foreign material generally referred to as antigens. Antigens are molecules that elicit a specific immune response. The immune response can be divided into two major classifications; humoral and cell-mediated. While these responses are not mutually exclusive, they provide distinctly different avenues for dealing with pathogenic organisms or altered host cells.

	Immune Response
Humoral Immunity		Cell-mediated Immunity
(Antibody)		(Cytotoxicity)

An Antibody is a glycoprotein produced in response to an antigen that is specific for the antigen and binds to it via non-covalent interactions. The term "immunoglobulin" is often used interchangeably with "antibody". We will use the term "immunoglobulin" to describe any antibody, regardless of specificity, and the term "antibody" to describe an antigen-specific " immunoglobulin".

Antibodies defend our body through a variety of mechanisms including:

1. Binding to the antigen and preparing it for destruction through phagocytosis.
2. Activating cellular cytotoxicity
3. Neutralising viruses and toxins
4. Preventing bacterial cells adhering to the host cells
5. Forming large clumps of microorganisms (agglutination) for more effective phagocytosis
6. Immobilising bacteria and protozoans by binding to their locomotor organelles.

The circulating antibodies enter tissues via inflammation. In addition to IgG, the body has other circulating antibodies including IgA, IgM and IgE.

Secretory IgA: The role of secretory IgA (sIgA)

The skin and mucosa are the first line of defence against pathogens and toxins. The mucosal tissue of the respiratory, gastrointestinal (mouth to anus) and urogenital system are lined by mucous membranes. A large proportion of these cells synthesise and secrete IgA antibodies, and in humans the daily secretion of IgA into mucous secretions is between 5 and 15 g per day.

The secretory IgA (sIgA) is an important line of defence for mucosal surfaces against bacteria (eg salmonella and vibrio cholerae) and viruses (eg polio, reovirus). The secretory IgA cross- links the various antigens (eg toxins, bacteria, viruses) into “clumps” which are trapped in mucus and eliminated either via cilia in the respiratory tract or peristalsis in the gut. The direct binding of sIgA to viruses and bacteria prevents their attachment to mucosal epithelial cells and any subsequent infection. Immunoglobulin A is also involved in activating and stimulating the immune system in response to inflammatory damage.

Enhanced IgA: The use of advanced techniques to create specific functioned antigens.

Article to follow

Vitamin A: The role it plays in maintaining a healthy body function

Vitamin A has been shown by international research to play an essential part in the maintenance of a healthy intestinal villi mucosal surface condition by maintaining the integrity of the intestinal tissues and promoting the beneficial microbial intestinal flora development. Vitamin A is also an important key in the effective secretion of secretory immunoglubolin IgAs which plays a vital role in the fight against harmful bacteria and viruses in the body.

Probiotics: A new means to boost the animal's immune system

Probiotics are being used in an ever increasing range of products. They are an excellent alternative to the increasing problem of resistance to antibiotics. Probiotics like, Enterococcus efacium, are one of the natural bacterium found in the gut system. Taken orally, it's protective shield allows it to survives the passage through the stomach, into the small intestine without loss of vitality. Here they multiple and produce lactic acid, which is a key component for the lowering of pH level, thus creating an environment that is unsuitable for many pathogens to survive or multiple in. This simple action directly reduces the level of harmful pathogens, such as E.coli and Salmonella, which can cause scouring and dysfunction in many young animals.

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Institute of Colostrum Research