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Suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis in cows with puerperal metritis and mastitis
1Veterinary Clinic and Training Center, Miyagi Prefectural Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, Japan.
Insights
Peripheral blood lymphocytes in cows with puerperal metritis and mastitis show reduced mitogenic responses. This impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis is linked to increased ammonia or alpha 1-acid glycoprotein levels.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Bovine Infectious Diseases
- Ruminant Health
Background:
- Puerperal metritis and mastitis are common postpartum diseases in dairy cows.
- These conditions can lead to systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction.
- Understanding lymphocyte responses is crucial for managing these diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mitogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes in cows with naturally occurring puerperal metritis and mastitis.
- To correlate lymphocyte blastogenesis with specific serum biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from healthy, puerperal metritic, and mastitic cows.
- Lymphocyte blastogenesis was assessed using phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM).
- Glucose consumption index (GCI) was measured to quantify lymphocyte proliferation.
- Serum concentrations of ammonia, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1AG), and vitamin E were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Puerperal metritic and mastitic cows exhibited significantly lower GCI values compared to healthy controls.
- Suppressed lymphocyte blastogenesis in metritic cows correlated with increased serum ammonia.
- Impaired blastogenesis in mastitic cows correlated with elevated alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and altered vitamin E levels.
- These findings indicate compromised lymphocyte function in diseased cows.
Conclusions:
- Cows suffering from puerperal metritis or mastitis demonstrate impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis.
- Serum ammonia and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein are potential biomarkers associated with this immune suppression.
- Vitamin E levels may also play a role in the immune dysfunction observed in mastitic cows.
Abstract:
Mitogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes in naturally occurring clinical puerperal metritis and mastitis were investigated. Glucose consumption index (GCI) values for phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in the puerperal metritic cows and mastitic cows were significantly lower than those in the healthy cows. Suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis was correlated to an increased concentration of serum ammonia in the puerperal metritic cows, and of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1AG) in the mastitic cows. Lymphocyte blastogenesis in the mastitic cows was also correlated to the serum concentration of vitamin E. These findings indicate that the puerperal metritic and mastitic cows are associated with impaired lymphocyte blastogenesis.
