title: The stress of weaning influences serum levels of acute-phase proteins, iron-binding proteins, inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and leukocyte subsets in Holstein calves.
abstract: The purpose of our study was to investigate changes in immunological parameters induced by weaning stress (including milk restriction) in calves. Fifteen Holstein calves were subjected to weaning at 6 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected at -14, -7, -2, 1, 3, and 5 days post-weaning (DPW; 0 DPW = 42 days). Weaning caused significant (p < 0.01) increases in the neutrophil (NE):lymphocyte (LY) ratio at 5 DPW with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of LYs. The concentration of acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) also increased significantly (p < 0.05) at 3 and 5 DPW compared to -2 DPW. Levels of the iron-binding protein lactoferrin decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after weaning. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α and cortisol levels were elevated (p < 0.05) at 3 DPW, while those of serum interferon-γ decreased (p < 0.05) at 1 and 3 DPW compared to levels observed before weaning. Weaning significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the percentage of CD25(+) T cells in the peripheral blood. In conclusion, weaning stress affected the NE:LY ratio along with the levels of acute phase proteins, lactoferrin, cortisol, and inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of calves. Weaning stress may induce an acute phase response possibly through the elevation of cortisol production and modulation of inflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung-Hoo
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Santi Devi
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Upadhaya
authors.forename: Hyun-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Cheol-Heui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Jong K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ha
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D006242:Haptoglobins; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007781:Lactoferrin; D006854:Hydrocortisone