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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #73680
Title: PHENOTYPE ANALYSIS OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS IN PERIPARTURIENT DAIRY CATTLE

Author
item KIMURA, KAYOKO - IA STATE UNIV., AMES, IA
item Goff, Jesse
item Kehrli Jr, Marcus
item Harp, James

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Immune function is impaired during the periparturient period. We suspect that changes in the populations of various lymphocyte cell types might be occurring during the periparturient period. Using a flow cytometer and monoclonal antibodies directed against antigenic markers on the lymphocytes, the populations of total T-cells (pan-T), T-helper, T-cytotoxic and suppressor, delta T-cell, and major histocompatibility class II positive cells were examined in 8 periparturient Jersey cows. Leukograms were also done to allow determination of absolute cell numbers. The percentage of cells positive for the pan-T marker, T-helper, and delta receptor exhibited a significant decline at calving, and did not return to pre-calving levels until 2 wk after calving. No significant changes were seen in the populations of cells carrying the other markers. We speculate that the decline in T-helper and delta cell populations at calving is an important reason that cows are immunosuppressed at calving, although it is also possible that the decline in these cell types may be the result of immunosuppression rather than the cause.