Interest in the biochemical composition of amniotic fluid (AF) has expanded across human and veterinary research. Beyond its nutritive and protective roles for the fetus, AF is now recognized for its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. Neonatal dogs possess an immature immune system, rendering them vulnerable to severe pathogens such as canine parvovirus (CPV-2), canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1), and canine distemper virus (CDV), which contribute significantly to early-life mortality. Among immunoglobulins, only IgG can traverse the placenta in limited amounts and has been identified within canine AF.
The present investigation aimed to assess whether AF collected at birth could act as a non-invasive indicator of passive immunity in dogs. For this purpose, total and pathogen-specific IgG levels against CPV-2, CAdV-1, and CDV were analyzed in both maternal plasma and AF obtained during cesarean delivery. The vaccination background of each dam was also recorded. Considering that immune competence is influenced by gestational maturity, with premature neonates displaying underdeveloped innate and adaptive systems, IgG levels were examined in relation to amniotic concentrations of lecithin, sphingomyelin, cortisol, surfactant protein A, and pentraxin 3—biomolecules previously quantified in a study on fetal maturity using the same sample set. Finally, potential links between these parameters and neonatal outcomes were explored. The findings indicate that AF evaluation at birth can provide meaningful insights into early immune status in puppies, supporting its use as a minimally invasive approach for health monitoring and management in neonatal dogs.
