Dynamics of Immunological Parameters of Cattle Infected with Leukemia Virus and its Correction with Betulin–Based Medication

Abstract

The paper presents the results indicating the possibility of using betulin-based medication for the correction of the immune status of cattle infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). To set up the experiment, we designed 3 prototypes of the medication (betulin-B1, B2 and B3), which were tested on 20 cattle units that reacted positively in RID test with the glycoprotein antigen of BLV. 15 experimental animals were formed into 3 groups. Cows of the 1st group (n = 5) were injected subcutaneously with the betulin-B1 preparation three times with an interval of 7 days at a dose of 0.2 ml per 1 kg of live weight, groups 2 and 3 (n = 5) were injected with betulin-B2 and B3, respectively, in the same method. Another five RID-positive cows were used as a control group. After the first and the third administration of medications, hematological and immunological studies were performed. Immunological restructuring of the body after the use of betulin preparations B1 and B3 was characterized by a decrease in the number of lymphocytes due to the population of B-lymphocytes and Tcytotoxic lymphocytes; a decrease in the content of circulating immune complexes, an increase in the functional and metabolic activity of neutrophils, bactericidal and lysozyme activity of blood serum and balance of the protein spectrum. Thus, the revealed changes in the hematological and immunological parameters prove the effectiveness and feasibility of using betulin medication for the correction of the immune status of cattle infected with BLV.