The Relationship Between Milk Production and Antibody Response to Ovalbumin During the Peripartum Period

Abstract

Suboptimal innate and immune mechanisms of host resistance during the peripartum period may contribute to increased incidence of mastitis. To evaluate associations between antibody response to ovalbumin and milk production during the peripartum period, 136 Holstein cows and heifers from three herds with known antibody response profiles, were evaluated for projected 305-d milk, protein, and fat yield. Using a previously described index (Wagter et al., 2000), cows were quantitatively classified based on their profile of antibody response to ovalbumin into high, average, or low antibody response groups. The single-effect antibody response group contributed significantly to variation in fat and protein yield, but not milk yield. The interaction between antibody response and parity significantly contributed to the variation in milk, fat, and protein yields; therefore the effects of group were reported on a within-parity basis. Among first-parity cows, low responders had a higher fat and protein yield than high or average antibody responder animals. Among older cows (parity 3 or greater) milk yield was significantly higher for those in the high antibody response group compared with average and low response groups. However, no significant differences in fat or protein yields were observed between high and low antibody response groups. These results suggest the possibility to select cows for enhanced immune response with no adverse effects on yield. That first-parity cows with low antibody response produce more fat and protein may be offset by the fact that mastitis occurrence was highest in this group in two out of three herds investigated. Selection for high immune response may prove beneficial to herd life by maintaining optimal yield, yet minimizing occurrence of disease.

Immune responses of Holstein and Norwegian Red × Holstein calves on Canadian dairy farms

“…Initial studies of antibody-mediated immune response (AMIR) and cellmediated immune response (CMIR) as indicators of improved host defense were carried out on mice (Biozzi et al, 1979), chickens (Pinard et al, 1992), and pigs (Mallard et al, 1992). Subsequent examination of dairy cows indicated that there is sufficient genetic variation between animals within a breed to allow breeding for AMIR and CMIR (Wagter et al, 2003). In 2 out of 3 herds tested during the periparturient period, there were lower incidences of mastitis and other diseases in high antibody responders (Wagter et al, 2003).…”

“…Subsequent examination of dairy cows indicated that there is sufficient genetic variation between animals within a breed to allow breeding for AMIR and CMIR (Wagter et al, 2003). In 2 out of 3 herds tested during the periparturient period, there were lower incidences of mastitis and other diseases in high antibody responders (Wagter et al, 2003). Heritability estimates of 0.37 and 0.41 have been reported for AMIR and CMIR, respectively (Hernandez et al, 2006).…”

Effects of a commercially available vaccine against Salmonella enterica serotype Newport on milk production, somatic cell count, and shedding of Salmonella organisms in female dairy cattle with no clinical signs of salmonellosis

“…15,16 Production measures are significantly affected by parity. This is similar to results in other reports.…”

Evaluation of immune responses of cattle as a means to identify high or low responders and use of a human microarray to differentiate gene expression

“…However, selection of pigs for both H AMIR and CMIR indicates health and production benefits [8]. A recent study of cows during the peripartum period also suggests benefits to individuals with H antibody responsiveness [22]. To refine and improve this index, a simple, safe, and effective means was sought to induce both AMIR and CMIR for classifying H and L responders.…”