Lipomobilization in periparturient dairy cows influences the composition of plasma nonesterified fatty acids and leukocyte phospholipid fatty acids.
The periparturient period is characterized by sudden changes in metabolic and immune cell functions that predispose dairy cows to increased incidence of disease. Metabolic changes include alterations in the energy balance that lead to increased lipomobilization with consequent elevation of plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of lipomobilization on fatty acid profiles within plasma lipid fractions and leukocyte phospholipid composition. Blood samples from 10 dairy cows were collected at 14 and 7 d before due date, at calving, and at 7, 14, and 30 d after calving. Total lipids and lipid fractions were extracted from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The degree of lipomobilization was characterized by measurement of plasma NEFA concentrations. The fatty acid profile of plasma NEFA, plasma phospholipids, and leukocyte phospholipids differed from the composition of total lipids in plasma, where linoleic acid was the most common fatty acid. Around parturition and during early lactation, the proportion of palmitic acid significantly increased in the plasma NEFA and phospholipid fractions with a concomitant increase in the phospholipid fatty acid profile of leukocytes. In contrast, the phospholipid fraction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in leukocytes was diminished during the periparturient period, especially during the first 2 wk following parturition. This study showed that the composition of total plasma lipids does not necessarily reflect the NEFA and phospholipid fractions in periparturient dairy cows. These findings are significant because it is the plasma phospholipid fraction that contributes to fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids. Increased availability of certain saturated fatty acids in the NEFA phospholipid fractions may contribute to altered leukocyte functions during the periparturient period.
Contreras
G A
GA
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
O'Boyle
N J
NJ
Herdt
T H
TH
Sordillo
L M
LM
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D036801:Parturition / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
D005227:Fatty Acids; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D010743:Phospholipids; D013229:Stearic Acids; C008757:palmitoleic acid; C031183:stearic acid