title: Effects of whole flaxseed, raw soybeans, and calcium salts of fatty acids on measures of cellular immune function of transition dairy cows.
abstract: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental n-3 and n-6 fatty acid (FA) sources on cellular immune function of transition dairy cows. Animals were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 diets: control (n=11); whole flaxseed (n-3 FA source; n=11), 60 and 80g/kg of whole flaxseed [diet dry matter (DM) basis] during pre- and postpartum, respectively; whole raw soybeans (n-6 FA source; n=10), 120 and 160g/kg of whole raw soybeans (diet DM basis) during pre- and postpartum, respectively; and calcium salts of unsaturated FA (Megalac-E, n-6 FA source; n=10), 24 and 32g/kg of calcium salts of unsaturated FA (diet DM basis) during pre- and postpartum, respectively. Supplemental FA did not alter DM intake and milk yield but increased energy balance during the postpartum period. Diets containing n-3 and n-6 FA sources increased phagocytosis capacity of leukocytes and monocytes and phagocytosis activity of monocytes. Furthermore, n-3 FA source increased phagocytic capacity of leukocytes and neutrophils and increased phagocytic activity in monocytes and neutrophils when compared with n-6 FA sources. Supplemental FA effects on adaptive immune system included increased percentage of T-helper cells, T-cytotoxic cells, cells that expressed IL-2 receptors, and CD62 adhesion molecules. The results of this study suggest that unsaturated FA can modulate innate and adaptive cellular immunity and trigger a proinflammatory response. The n-3 FA seems to have a greater effect on phagocytic capacity and activity of leukocytes when compared with n-6 FA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, University of Sao Paulo, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gandra
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706, Brazil.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Barletta
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, University of Sao Paulo, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Mingoti
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, University of Sao Paulo, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Verdurico
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, University of Sao Paulo, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 110910, Brazil.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, University of Sao Paulo, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Takiya
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kfoury
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706, Brazil.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wiltbank
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Production, University of Sao Paulo, 13635-900, Pirassununga, Brazil; Bursar 1-C of National Council for Technological, 71605-001, Brasilia, Brazil. Electronic address: francisco.renno@usp.br.
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Renno
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D003612:Dairying; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D002118:Calcium
keywords: adaptive immunity; innate immunity; phagocytosis; unsaturated fatty acid