Fetal and Neonatal Immunity

Question 1

are neonates immunocompetent?

Answer 1

yes but naive (do not have their own acquired response yet)- except possums, not immunocopmetent

Question 2

how does the neonate survive until adaptive immunity is established? (what does it need from mom?)

Answer 2

acquired immunity from mom (T and B cells primed and ready to responsd)

Question 3

how does transfer of immunity occur prenatally? what organ allows this to happen?

Answer 3

via placenta through maternal-fetal blood exchange

Question 4

which species do not have prenatal transfer of immunity? how do these animals get post-natal transfer of immunity?

Answer 4

those with epitheliochorial placentas (horses, swine, ruminants); need colostrum post-natally!!

Question 5

how does transfer of immunity affect the ability of a neonate/young animal to respond to vaccination?

Answer 5

window of susceptibility, need to catch to vaccinate when mom antibodies won’t get in the way