Effect of micronutrient supplementation on the immune function of crossbred dairy cows under semi-arid tropical environment

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of micronutrient supplementation around peripartum period on immune function, reproductive performance, milk yield and milk quality of crossbred cows. Thirty pregnant crossbred cows in their late gestation were selected and randomly divided into five groups for study. Six cows in each group were supplemented with vitamin E (VE) (2000 IU/cow/day), vitamin A (VA) (100,000 IU/cow/day), copper (Cu) (20 ppm/cow/day), zinc (Zn) (80 ppm/cow/day) individually from 45 days pre-calving to 45 days post-calving and one group without any supplementation served as control. Immune function was studied by in vitro phagocytic activity (PA) of blood neutrophils, lymphocyte proliferation response (LPR) and plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentration. Supplementation of VA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the in vitro PA of blood neutrophils and decreased milk somatic cell counts (SCC). Zn supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased the T lymphocyte proliferation response, whereas B lymphocyte LPR was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with both VA and Zn supplementation as compared to the control cows. Plasma IL-8 concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all supplemented cows. Supplementation of VE, VA and Zn significantly (P < 0.05) reduces days open, whereas VA significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the service per conception. In this study, it is concluded that VE, VA and Zn supplementation around peripartum period can boost the immunity and improve the reproductive performance of crossbred cows in a semi-arid tropical environment.

Prepartum vitamin A supplementation enhances goat doe health status and kid viability and performance

“…In contrast, injecting pregnant does with vitamin A maintained their serum levels within the normal control range after kidding. Furthermore, the current study reported that vitamin A increased the does' serum globulin levels, which may be explained by the fact that vitamin A has been shown to regulate the expression of immunoglobulins and myeloid cell differentiation (Pletsityi and Askerov, 1982), and enhance B lymphocyte proliferation in pregnant cows (De et al 2014). Previous in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A, may promote antibody production and immune cell maturation (Ertesva et al 2009, Chen and Ross, 2007, Ross, 2012, Mucida et al 2007, Iwata, 2009Ma et al 2005).…”

A comparative study on the blood and milk cell counts of healthy, subclinical, and clinical mastitis Karan Fries cows

“…These anions reduce the yellow colored water-soluble nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) to water insoluble blue or purple colored formazan crystals. The OD of the reduction product was determined at 540 nm [ 5 ]. For estimating PA, 1 million viable cells were taken in each well of 96 well culture plates.…”

Lactation performance and blood metabolites in lactating dairy cows micro-supplemented with <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaf meal

“…However, in confined systems, the risk of over-or undersupplying micro elements is high (Bouwstra et al, 2010), hence the overproduction of pro-oxides is common (Rizzo et al, 2013). Additionally, in semi-intensive feeding systems, trace elements, particularly antioxidant supplementation, are limited owing to restricted or lack of supplementation (De et al, 2014). With increasing global food insecurity and malnutrition, especially in developing countries, research focus has shifted to exploration of the potential of natural antioxidants in improving animal production and health to support human nutrition and health.…”