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Abstract
Soluble CD14 (sCD14) is a protein receptor specific for LPS, which circulates in the blood of many species, such as cows and horses. We showed in equine colostrum, and re-confirmed in bovine colostrum, a 48 kD isoform of sCD14. Colostral sCD14 concentrations were higher than serum sCD14 levels from lactating equine and bovine dams. Concentrations of the 48 kD isoform of sCD14 were very low in serum taken from foals and calves before nursing, but very high in serum from the same neonates 24 hours after ingestion of colostrums. Also, bovine mammary epithelial cells were cultured and identified, and the 56 and 50 kD isoforms of sCD14 were detected in the lysates. These findings indicate a role for sCD14 in bovine and equine colostrum, and neonatal immunity.