Relationship of in vitro immune function with health and production in Holstein cattle

Eighty-seven lactating Holstein cows from the Iowa State University Breeding Research Herd were evaluated for 20 in vitro measures of immune function. Principal component analysis was used to discard redundant assay variables such that the 11 remaining variables were more nearly independent than the original variables. Multiple linear regression in an animal model was used to determine the effects of these 11 variables on lifetime production and on general, under, and reproductive health traits. A significant joint effect of the 11 immune function variables on California mastitis test scores was observed. California mastitis test scores were positively correlated with antibody-dependent neutrophil cytotoxicity and negatively correlated with antibody-independent neutrophil cytotoxicity. Wisconsin mastitis test scores were also positively associated with antibody-dependent neutrophil cytotoxicity. Cytochrome c reduction was negatively associated with mammary and total health costs. A positive relationship between clinical mastitis and discarded milk and IgG2 was observed, and IgG1 was associated with increased quarter California mastitis test scores and increased production. Thus, certain in vitro immune function assays may serve as indicators of susceptibility to health problems in dairy cattle, particularly for traits associated with udder health.