Effects of elevated parameters of subclinical ketosis on the immune system of dairy cows:in vivoandin vitroresults

Abstract

Using an established model in which subclinical ketosis is induced, the response of differential blood counts and levels of various haematological variables, including the inflammatory marker haptoglobin (Hp), were tested over the last six weeks of parturition until the 56th day post-partum in cows with lower or higher body condition scores (LBC and HBC, respectively; n = 9/group). Animals in the HBC group evidenced subclinical ketosis whereas LBC animals were metabolically healthy. For in vitro examination with ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as a further stimulus, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) counts of cows with and without subclinical ketosis (n = 5/group) were observed. Counts of leucocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes (LY) peaked at day 1 post-partum in HBC cows, with a more marked increase in heifers. In subclinical ketosis LY count increased again, with significantly higher values in the HBC group. The red blood cell (RBC) profile was affected by parity (counts were higher in heifers). Hp showed a positive linear correlation with BHB and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; R(2) = 0.41). PBMC from cows that were not pre-stressed with subclinical ketosis were more sensitive to increasing levels of BHB in vitro, as evidenced by both their higher proliferative capability and increased release of nitric oxide (NO). In summary, cows with subclinical ketosis showed a heightened immune response compared with metabolically healthy individuals, based on increased LY counts, increasing stimulative properties of PBMC and a relationship between Hp and typically increased values of BHB and NEFA. Concentrations of BHB in vivo during subclinical ketosis did not alter the proliferative capability of bovine PBMC in vitro, which was first significantly decreased at a dosage of 5 mM BHB.

Effect of hydroxyselenomethionine on lactation performance, blood profiles, and transfer efficiency in early-lactating dairy cows

“…The WBC and RBC counts in the blood indicate immunological function of dairy cows (Schulz et al, 2015;Kvidera et al, 2017), and increased WBC and RBC counts in whole blood indicate an improved immunity (Schulz et al, 2015;Kvidera et al, 2017). In the present study, the quadratically increased WBC and RBC counts in blood suggested an improved immunity of dairy cows fed median levels of HMBSe (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg).…”

Effects of ketosis in dairy cows on blood biochemical parameters, milk yield and composition, and digestive capacity

“…In this study, liver oxidative damage caused by high NEFA and low Glu suggested elevated plasma AST, GGT, and TBIL (3). In addition, a high plasma concentration of NEFA is temporally correlated with an impaired peripheral blood neutrophil function, which affects the response to immune challenges (21).…”

Effect of immune modulators and lactation number on in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes from nonpregnant dairy heifers and cows

“…This energetic load was demonstrated by differences between primiparous and multiparous dairy cows in a number of metabolic parameters, milk yield, and body condition, as well as their inter-relationships (Wathes et al 2007). Accordingly, increased concentrations of BHB or isoproterenol (adrenaline-like substance) diminished the responsiveness of immune cells in a dose-dependent manner (Sempere et al 2004;Schulz et al 2015). In contrast, increased plasma concentrations of prolactin facilitated the in vitro proliferation of murine and human lymphocytes (Hartmann et al 1989).…”