Periparturient immunosuppression and strategies to improve dairy cow health during the periparturient period.
Common health problems observed during peripartum include milk fever, mastitis, fatty liver disease, ketosis, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, hypomagnesaemia and abomasal displacements. The increased incidence of health problems observed during the periparturient period can be partly attributed to suboptimal immune responses. Factors contributing to decreased periparturient immunity include the act of parturition itself, impaired leukocytic activity, effects of colostrogenesis and lactogenesis, and associated hypocalcemia and negative energy balance. Nutritional and other management strategies represent a relevant short-term strategy aimed at improving the health and welfare of the transitioning cow. Additionally, it is important to consider improving the health of dairy herds through the genetic selection of animals with enhanced robustness by identifying those with superior disease resistance or resilience in the face of infection. As a consequence these animals are better able to cope with the production and environmental stresses. These may provide long-term selection strategies for improving the health and welfare of the transitioning cow particularly when combined with sound management practices, allowing dairy cattle to reach their full genetic potential.
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia; Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. Electronic address: joshua.aleri@unimelb.edu.au.
J W
JW
Aleri
CSIRO, Agriculture Flagship, Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia.
B C
BC
Hine
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
M F
MF
Pyman
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
P D
PD
Mansell
Agriculture Research and Development Division, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Ellinbank, Victoria 3821, Australia.
W J
WJ
Wales
Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1, Canada.
B
B
Mallard
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia; Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
A D
AD
Fisher
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D058725:Peripartum Period
Genetic selection; Immune competence testing; Immunosuppression