The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin E supplementation on antioxidant, inflammatory status, and cell viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Eighteen clinically healthy Japanese Black calves were used in this study. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from their venous blood. PBMCs were cultured with vitamin E (vitamin E group) or without vitamin E (control group), and stimulated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). As a result, the total antioxidant capacities, which are the reducing power of components from Fe 31 to Fe 21 , in the cell culture supernatant with or without LPS stimulation were significantly higher in the vitamin E group than that in the control group (p,0.05 or p,0.01, respectively). Tumor necrosis factor alpha in the cell culture supernatant with LPS stimulation was significantly lower in the vitamin E group than in the control group (p,0.01). The viability of cells cultured with LPS stimulation was significantly higher in the vitamin E group than in the control group (p,0.05). These results suggested that vitamin E might be related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell viability of PBMCs obtained from calves.

We used an abortion-prone mouse model, generated by mating female CBA/J mice with male DBA/2JJcl mice, to examine the effects of changes in the Th1/Th2 cell ratio and the percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells on the maintenance of pregnancy. We subcutaneously injected female CBA/J mice once each with 50 μg/mouse of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) extract and the squalene-based adjuvant (SquA); 10 days later, these mice were mated with male DBA/2JJcl mice. Compared with injection of vehicle or adjuvant, the Df treatment decreased the Th1/Th2 cell ratio and concomitantly increased the percentage of Treg cells in the spleen. In addition, fetal death rates were decreased. We then explored a substance which shifted the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1 side. We found that 50 μg/mouse of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) increased the splenic Th1/Th2 cell ratio of nonpregnant female CBA/J mice. We subcutaneously injected female CBA/J mice with KLH and SquA; 10 days later, these mice were mated with male DBA/2JJcl mice. Compared with injection of vehicle or adjuvant, treatment with KLH enhanced the Th1 bias during pregnancy and increased the fetal death rate. The percentage of Treg cells, however, was increased in these KLH-injected pregnant mice contrary to our presumption. All collected data showed strong positive correlation between the Th1/Th2 cell ratio and fetal death rate. The increase in Treg cells independent of effects on the fetal death rate suggests that Treg cells do not necessarily induce maternal tolerance to the fetus but may prevent excessive Th1/Th2 imbalance during pregnancy.

This study aimed to determine the effects of vitamin C supplementation on antioxidant and inflammatory status and cell viability of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from eighteen clinically healthy Japanese Black calves in this study. PBMCs were cultured with vitamin C (vitamin C group) and without vitamin C (control group) and stimulated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). As a result, the total antioxidant capacities, which are the reducing power of components from Fe3 + to Fe 2 + , in the cell culture supernatant with or without LPS stimulation were significantly higher in the vitamin C group than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the cell culture supernatant with LPS stimulation was significantly higher in the control group than that in the vitamin C group (P < 0.05). The viability of cells cultured with LPS stimulation was significantly higher in the vitamin C group than that in the control group after 72 h of culture (P < 0.05). These results suggested that vitamin C is related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and cell viability of PBMCs obtained from calves.

Four suckling Japanese black calves developed oesophageal obstruction caused by ingestion of rice chaff used as bedding material. Farmers initially observed milk regurgitation from the nostrils in all four cases, whereas excessive salivation occurred in only one calf. Local veterinarians unsuccessfully attempted to remove the oesophageal obstruction using a gastric tube. Also, the four calves were given liquid nutrition or milk using gastric tube as primary care performed by the referring veterinarians. Due to the significant deterioration of general condition, mucosal hyperaemia, inability to or difficulty standing and marked dehydration, the calves were admitted to the University Hospital. Oesophageal obstruction consisting of rice chaff was confirmed in all cases by endoscopy. Chaff was removed from the oesophagus using an endoscope, and all cases quickly recovered. These cases highlight the danger of using rice chaff as bedding for suckling calves.

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