This study was undertaken in buffalo neonates born to vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate)-supplemented and non-supplemented Murrah buffaloes. Calves from vitamin E-supplemented buffaloes (n = 10; vitamin E -supplemented calves [VeC]) and non-supplemented buffaloes (n = 10; control calves [CC]) constituted the treatment and control groups respectively. Two colostrum samples were taken at the first post-partum milking and again after 12 h from dams for IgG estimation. Sampling of blood was performed on days 0 (before colostrum feeding), 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112 and 126 post-birth and analysed for apparent efficiency of absorption (%) of IgG and various immune parameters. Colostral IgG level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in vitamin E-supplemented buffaloes. The calves in both groups were born hypogammaglobulinemic with IgG level <5 g/l. However, first colostrum feeding resulted in significantly elevated IgG levels (>10 g/l) in calves of both groups at 24 h, which remained high afterwards. Apparent efficiency of absorption (%) of IgG at 24 h was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in VeC than in CC. Plasma Nitric Oxide (NO) levels were significantly elevated in the calves of either group at birth, which declined significantly (p < 0.01) afterwards. Vitamin E feeding to dams had no added effect on NO levels in experimental calves. Total leucocyte counts did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts changed significantly between groups (p < 0.01) and days (p < 0.01), with lymphocytes increasing and neutrophils declining with age. This study revealed that the calves were immunologically immature at birth. Ante-partum supplementation of vitamin E did not influence plasma NO or IgG but had a significant effect on colostral IgG (p < 0.05). It also improved the apparent efficiency of absorption (%) of IgG at 24 h in VeC as compared to CC.
Twelve healthy lactating Murrah buffaloes of similar parity (3rd) between 90 and 120 days of lactation, selected from the herd of National Dairy Research Institute (Karnal, India) and maintained at managemental practices as followed at the Institute they were included in this experiment. The animals were divided into two groups based on their production level in previous lactation. The average milk production level of group 1 and II was 9.3 and 6 lit/day, respectively. Blood was collected from these buffaloes on three occasions 10 days apart. The lymphocytes were separated and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with PHA-P for 24 h at 37°C in a humidified CO2 incubator (95% air and 5% CO2). The lymphocyte responsiveness was also evaluated in response to the in vivo heat stress and in vitro cortisol. Mitogen-induced stimulation index was not affected by production level (P < .01). Stimulation index was significantly reduced (P < .01) in both the groups when cortisol was added at 2.0 ng level in the culture. However, in heat-stressed buffaloes stimulation index did not vary despite increasing levels of cortisol, thus indicating that lymphocyte may become cortisol resistant during periods of acute heat stress. The results showed that lymphocyte proliferation response can be effectively used to study buffalo cell-mediated immunity in vitro.
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