The stress of weaning influences serum levels of acute-phase proteins, iron-binding proteins, inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and leukocyte subsets in Holstein calves.
10.4142/jvs.2011.12.2.151
- Author:
Myung Hoo KIM
1
;
Ji Young YANG
;
Santi Devi UPADHAYA
;
Hyun Jun LEE
;
Cheol Heui YUN
;
Jong K HA
Author Information
1. 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. jongha@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
acute phase protein;
immune response;
inflammatory cytokines;
stress;
weaning
- MeSH:
Acute-Phase Proteins/*immunology/metabolism;
Acute-Phase Reaction/immunology/*veterinary;
Animals;
Cattle/*immunology;
Female;
Flow Cytometry;
Haptoglobins/analysis/immunology;
Hydrocortisone/blood/immunology;
Interferon-gamma/blood/immunology;
Lactoferrin/analysis/immunology;
Leukocyte Count/veterinary;
Leukocytes/cytology/*immunology;
Male;
Serum Amyloid A Protein/analysis/immunology;
Stress, Physiological/*physiology;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood/immunology;
Weaning
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science
2011;12(2):151-157
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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-alpha and cortisol levels were elevated (p < 0.05) at 3 DPW, while those of serum interferon-gamma 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.
