title: Comparison of metabolic, hematological, and peripheral blood leukocyte cytokine profiles of dairy cows and heifers during the periparturient period.
abstract: The periparturient period presents major physiological challenges for the dairy cow. It is a period that is affected by metabolic stressors, major changes in endocrine status, and altered immune function, which together result in an increased risk of disease. Immunological, hematological, and metabolic profiles from the periparturient period of heifers (primipara) were compared with those of cows (pluripara) to test the hypothesis that at the time of calving they have qualitatively different peripheral blood profiles. Blood samples were collected from 22 Holstein-Friesian animals on 3 occasions: approximately 2 wk before calving, within 24h after calving, and approximately 2 wk after calving. Quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression of a selected set of cytokines and receptors by peripheral blood leukocytes. Additional analyses included hemoglobin concentration, red cell, platelet and white cell counts (total and differentiated), and clinical diagnostic biochemical profiles. Total leukocyte counts, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were higher in heifers than cows before calving and within 24h after calving. Alkaline phosphatase was consistently higher in heifers than cows and several significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with regards to cytokine and cytokine-receptor mRNA expression. The results warrant further investigation from the perspective of identifying risk factors for metabolic and parturient disease in dairy cattle.
authors: University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nicholas.jonsson@glasgow.ac.uk.
authors: N N
authors: NN
authors: Jonsson
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Brisbane, Australia 4072.
authors: M R S
authors: MRS
authors: Fortes
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Brisbane, Australia 4072.
authors: E K
authors: EK
authors: Piper
authors: The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Brisbane, Australia 4072.
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Vankan
authors: University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom.
authors: J Prada J
authors: JPJ
authors: de Cisneros
authors: Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Klinik für Wiederkäuer, A 1210 Wien, Austria.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Wittek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D009504:Neutrophils; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine