Diurnal rhythms in peripheral blood immune cell numbers of domestic pigs

Engert, Larissa C.; Weiler, Ulrike; Pfaffinger, Birgit; Stefanski, Volker; Schmucker, Sonja

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2017.10.003

Cited by 16 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Our group recently demonstrated the occurrence of diurnal rhythms in peripheral immune cell numbers in the diurnally active domestic pig (39), which is regarded as highly suitable model species as it provides great anatomical, physiological, and immunological similarity with humans (40). In addition, studying mechanisms of seasonal disease susceptibility in this species may result in improvement of animal health and welfare within pig husbandry systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoperiodic Effects on Diurnal Rhythms in Cell Numbers of Peripheral Leukocytes in Domestic Pigs

et al. 2019

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The photoperiod is known to modulate immune cell number and function and is regarded essential for seasonal disease susceptibility. In addition, diurnal variations in the immune system are regarded important for immune competence. Whereas few studies investigated the influence of season, none investigated the specific effect of the photoperiod on these diurnal immune rhythms until now. Therefore, the present study compared diurnal rhythms in cell numbers of peripheral leukocyte types in domestic pigs held either under long day conditions (LD) or short day conditions (SD). Cosinor analyses of cell numbers of various peripheral leukocyte subtypes investigated over periods of 50 h revealed distinct photoperiodic differences in diurnal immune rhythms. Relative amplitudes of cell numbers of total leukocytes, NK cells, T cells, and monocytes in blood were higher under SD than LD. In addition, cell counts of total leukocytes, NK cells, T cells including various T cell subtypes, and eosinophils peaked earlier relative to the time of lights-on under SD than LD. In contrast, diurnal rhythms of neutrophil counts did not show photoperiodic differences. Mesor values did not differ in any leukocyte type. Generalized linear mixed model analyses revealed associations of leukocyte counts with plasma cortisol concentration and activity behavior in most investigated cell types. Moreover, the present study demonstrated photoperiodic effects on diurnal rhythms in plasma cortisol concentrations and activity behavior, which is in agreement with human and primate studies. The results of the present study imply stronger rhythmicity in leukocyte counts in general under SD. Common intrinsic mechanisms seem to regulate photoperiodic effects on diurnal rhythms in leukocyte counts, except for neutrophils, in domestic pigs. Our results reveal considerable insights into the regulation of immune rhythms in diurnally active species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoperiodic Effects on Diurnal Rhythms in Cell Numbers of Peripheral Leukocytes in Domestic Pigs

et al. 2019

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“…In particular, GCs induce lymphocyte sequestration into tissues thereby reducing their number in the circulation [16, 17]. While studying diurnal rhythm effects on blood cell numbers in pigs, Engert et al recently underscored negative associations between plasma cortisol levels and most lymphocyte subtypes [18]. However, in our study, despite a higher cortisolemia, 6-week-old HPA hi piglets displayed a higher leucocyte count, which mainly relied on B lymphocytes, naive Th lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD8α + γδ T cells.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The DNA marker DRAQ5™ (1 μM final; Biostatus, Leicestershire, UK) was added to identify nucleated cells, then samples were analysed with a FACS Aria flow cytometer (BD Biosciences) and data computed using the FlowJo software (FlowJo, Ashland, Oregon). Staining allowed the identification of seven different lymphocyte subpopulations as previously described [18]: B lymphocytes (CD3 − CD21 + ), naive CD4 + Th cells (CD3 + CD4 + ), antigen-experienced Th cells (CD3 + CD4 + CD8α + ), CD8α − γδ T cells (CD3 + CD4 − CD8α − ), CD8α + γδ T cells (CD3 + CD4 − CD8α med ), CD8α hi cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD3 + CD4 − CD8α hi ) and NK cells (CD3 − CD4 − CD8α med ). The cell count for each specific subpopulation was then determined as the product of the percentage of this specific subpopulation in the DRAQ5 + FSC/SSC white blood cell gate by the absolute number of white blood cells obtained from the Procyte analyser.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of divergent selection upon adrenocortical activity on immune traits in pig

et al. 2019

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Background The sustainability of farming and animal welfare requires the reconsideration of current selection schemes. In particular, implementation of new selection criteria related to animal health and welfare should help to produce more robust animals and to reduce anti-microbial use. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis plays a major role in metabolic regulation and adaptation processes and its activity is strongly influenced by genetic factors. A positive association between HPA axis activity and robustness was recently described. To explore whether selecting pigs upon HPA axis activity could increase their robustness, a divergent selection experiment was carried out in the Large White pig breed. This allowed the generation of low (HPA lo ) and high (HPA hi ) responders to adrenocorticotropic hormone administration. Results In this study, we compared 23 hematologic and immune parameters of 6-week-old, HPA lo and HPA hi piglets and analysed their response to a low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) two weeks later. At six weeks of age, HPA hi piglets displayed greater red blood cell and leucocyte number including CD8α + γδ cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, naive T helper (Th) cells and B lymphocytes as compared to HPA lo individuals. The ability of blood cells to secrete TNFα in response to LPS ex vivo was higher for HPA hi pigs. At week eight, the inflammatory response to the LPS in vivo challenge was poorly affected by the HPA axis activity. Conclusions Divergent selection upon HPA axis activity modulated hematologic and immune parameters in 6-week-old pigs, which may confer an advantage to HPA hi pigs at weaning. However, HPA lo and HPA hi piglets did not exhibit major differences in the parameters analysed two weeks later, i. e. in 8-week-old pigs. In conclusion, chronic exposure to high cortisol levels in HPA hi pigs does not negatively impact immunity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-019-1809-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Light is one of the most important exogenous factors regulating physiological and behavioral processes as well as entraining circadian rhythms of hormones and immune cells in birds and mammals [ 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 ]. Since most chickens are housed indoors, birds are usually exposed to artificial rather than natural light.…”

Section: Impact Of Light Regime On the Immune System In Chickensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Housing Environment on the Immune System in Chickens: A Review

Hofmann

Schmucker

Bessei

et al. 2020

Animals

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During their lifespan, chickens are confronted with a wide range of acute and chronic stressors in their housing environment that may threaten their welfare and health by modulating the immune system. Especially chronic stressful conditions can exceed the individual’s allostatic load, with negative consequences for immunity. A fully functional immune system is mandatory for health and welfare and, consequently, also for high productivity and safe animal products. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of housing form, light regime as well as aerial ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations on the immune system in chickens. Certain housing conditions are clearly associated with immunological alterations which potentially impair the success of vaccinations or affect disease susceptibility. Such poor conditions counteract sustainable poultry production. This review also outlines current knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for future research.

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Diurnal rhythms in peripheral blood immune cell numbers of domestic pigs

Cited by 16 publications

References 88 publications

Photoperiodic Effects on Diurnal Rhythms in Cell Numbers of Peripheral Leukocytes in Domestic Pigs

Photoperiodic Effects on Diurnal Rhythms in Cell Numbers of Peripheral Leukocytes in Domestic Pigs

Effects of divergent selection upon adrenocortical activity on immune traits in pig

Impact of Housing Environment on the Immune System in Chickens: A Review

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