A pilot study of total and allergen-specific IgE serum levels during anestrous, estrous and pregnancy in healthy female dogs

Noémi Tarpataki; Julianna Thuróczy; Nina Fischer; Sandrine Jacquenet; Ana Rostaher; Christelle Richard; Lena Zwickl; Thierry Olivry; Claude Favrot

doi:10.1111/vde.12544

A pilot study of total and allergen-specific IgE serum levels during anestrous, estrous and pregnancy in healthy female dogs

Vet Dermatol. 2018 Apr 23. doi: 10.1111/vde.12544. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Noémi Tarpataki¹, Julianna Thuróczy², Nina Fischer³, Sandrine Jacquenet⁴, Ana Rostaher³, Christelle Richard⁴, Lena Zwickl³, Thierry Olivry⁵, Claude Favrot³

Affiliations

¹ Department and Clinic of Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, István utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.
² Department and Clinic of Reproduction, University of Veterinary Medicine, István utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.
³ Dermatology Unit, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
⁴ Genclis, 15 rue du bois de la Champelle, 54500, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
⁵ Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.

PMID: 29687519
DOI: 10.1111/vde.12544

Abstract

Background: Allergen-specific IgE serology is used for the determination of sensitization status in dogs with atopic dermatitis; the influence of the female reproductive cycle on the results of such methods has not been studied in dogs.

Objectives: To compare the total and allergen-specific IgE of healthy bitches during anestrous, estrous and pregnancy.

Animals: Eight privately owned, healthy bitches.

Methods: Total and allergen-specific IgE levels were determined in eight bitches at three different time-points of their reproductive cycle: anestrous, estrous and pregnancy.

Results: Total IgE was significantly decreased (median: 74%) in female dogs during pregnancy when compared to anestrous. In 14 of 216 (6%), allergen-specific IgE test results were variably positive and negative at different stages of the reproductive cycle. This variation, however, was not related to changes in total serum IgE levels.

Conclusions: Total IgE serum levels are reduced during pregnancy in female dogs. However, results of one allergen-specific IgE test did not appear to be markedly altered by the reproductive cycle in healthy bitches.