Influence of conjugated linoleic acids and vitamin E on biochemical, hematological, and immunological variables of dairy cows during the transition period

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vitamin E as well as their interaction on biochemical and hematological variables and on leukocyte populations and their functionality. We assigned 59 German Holstein cows between the 2nd and 9th lactation to 4 dietary groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design with the factors CLA and vitamin E. Six weeks before calving the cows had a BCS of 3.7 to provoke a higher risk of developing ketosis, which might impair their immune function. Blood samples for analyses were taken on d -42, -14, -7, -3, 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, and 70 relative to parturition. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured on d -42, -7, 1, 7, 14, 28, and 70 relative to calving. Most variables were characterized by a high variation between d 7 antepartum and d 7 postpartum. Treatments did not elicit any effect, with the exception of vitamin E, which increased serum urea concentrations and decreased monocyte percentages. Haptoglobin, aspartate-aminotransferase, red blood cell count, leukocyte percentage and populations, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells were influenced by parity. In conclusion, the impairment of immune function caused by calving was more severe in cows in ≥3rd parity than in younger cows. However, neither vitamin E nor CLA supplementation was successful to stabilize parity or parturition related variance in hematological and immunological traits.

A meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum enrichment, udder health, milk yield, and reproductive performance of transition cows

“…During the transition period (i.e., 3 wk before and after calving), dairy cows experience severe energy and nutrient deficits accompanied by peripartal stress, excessive mobilization of body tissues, cellular damage, and inflammation. These events lead to disequilibrium in oxidant or antioxidant capacity of the body, resulting in oxidative stress, associated with an altered immune function (Kehrli and Shuster, 1994), which increases the risk of periparturient diseases (Pontes et al, 2015;Schäfers et al, 2018). Vitamin E has essential antioxidant functions: trapping peroxyl radicals (Baldi, 2005), minimizing the formation of secondary radicals, reducing the oxidative stress, and helping to stabilize the cell membranes (Bass, 1999;Morgante et al, 1999;Torsein et al, 2018).…”

Plasma metabolite changes in dairy cows during parturition identified using untargeted metabolomics

“…Additionally, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species generated during lipid peroxidation will aggravate the postpartum oxidative stress response (Bernabucci et al, 2005;Sies et al, 2017). Presently, to augment the anti-stress and anti-inflammatory abilities of cows during calving, dietary supplementation strategies are used, including the provision of selenium, vitamin E, and n-3 PUFA, which might also reduce the risk of postpartum illness (Abuelo et al, 2015;Khatti et al, 2017;Schäfers et al, 2018). Given that the physiological mechanisms associated with transition in dairy cows are not comprehensively understood, only limited measures are available to relieve transitional stress.…”

Effect of injectable vitamin and trace element administrations during transition period on fertility in Brown Swiss dairy cows

“…Liver enzymes activities and hepatic function markers help determine liver status in transition cows (Bertoni and Trevisi 2013). Like Schäfers et al (2018) AST, GGT, GLDH concentrations were in physiological ranges in treatment and control groups. Moreover, increased NEFA concentration negatively affects hepatic function markers, but in the present study, liver enzymes were not affected (within the reference ranges) by greater NEFA concentration.…”

“…Furthermore, it increases fertility (Politis, 2012, Machado et al 2013, Pontes et al 2015. At the same time, they had no adverse effect on hematologic and immune parameters (Bicalho et al 2014, Schäfers et al 2018. Due to the decrease of dry matter intake, an increase of growing fetus requirement and beginning of colostrogenesis and lactogenesis process resulted with trace element and vitamin insufficiency.…”