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Immune Function in Dairy Cows Related to Energy Balance and Metabolic Status in Early Lactation

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 30, pages 209–219 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

Two feeding experiments were carried out in 2 successive years with 28 cows of the Norwegian Red Cattle (NRF) in each experiment.

The cows were randomly distributed into 4 groups and subjected to different feeding regimens from 1 month prior to calving until 12 weeks after calving. The experimental design was factorial (2×2) with respect to protein content of the concentrate (17.5 % digestible crude protein (DCP) v.s. 12.5 % DCP) and concentrate allowances (standard v.s. substandard allowances after calving). Silage was offered ad libitum.

Samples for estimation of serum immunoglobulin-G, white blood cells and lymphocyte responses to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen were collected 4 weeks prior to expected calving, and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after calving. The levels of milk immunoglobulin-G were estimated at calving and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after calving.

A significant positive relationship was found between the estimated energy balance and the lymphocyte response to mitogens. Little evidence was found for the existence of a significant relationsip between the immunologic parameters and plasma indicators of metabolic status. The lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and levels of serum immunoglobulin-G increased, while levels of milk immunoglobulin-G decreased during the period from calving to 8 weeks after calving.

Increased milk somatic cell counts were associated with a significant decrease in the lymphocyte responses to mitogens.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank L. Midthjell, E. B. Gondrosen, L.-W. Fredriksen, H. Hansen and B. Johansen for excellent technical assistance. The experiment was financially supported by grants from The Norwegian Agricultural Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 8146, Dep., N-0033 Oslo 1, Norway

    E. Ropstad, H. J. Larsen & A. O. Refsdal

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 8146, Dep., N-0033 Oslo 1, Oslo, Norway

    E. Ropstad, H. J. Larsen & A. O. Refsdal

  3. Norwegian Red Cattle Association, P. O. Box 8146, Dep., N-0033 Oslo 1, Hamar, Norway

    E. Ropstad, H. J. Larsen & A. O. Refsdal

Authors
  1. E. Ropstad
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  2. H. J. Larsen
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  3. A. O. Refsdal
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Ropstad, E., Larsen, H.J. & Refsdal, A.O. Immune Function in Dairy Cows Related to Energy Balance and Metabolic Status in Early Lactation. Acta Vet Scand 30, 209–219 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548057

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Keywords

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147