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Far-off and close-up feeding levels affect immunological performance in grazing dairy cows during the transition period.

ABSTRACT: During the peripartum period, dairy cows often have signs of inflammation. Various stresses, including infectious and metabolic diseases, have been discussed as causative for this inflammation. In this study, expression profiles for 17 immune markers were measured in whole blood preparations from 78 dairy cows over a time frame starting 1 wk before calving to 4 wk after calving. Additionally, the effects of far-off and close-up feeding on immune function of dairy cows during the peripartum period were investigated. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 feeding levels in late lactation to achieve a low and high BCS at the time of dry-off (approximately 4.25 and 5.0 on a 10-point scale). Following dry-off, both herds were managed to achieve a BCS of 5.0 one month before calving; this involved controlled feeding (i.e., maintenance) and over-feeding of ME during the far-off dry period. Within each far-off feeding-level treatment, cows were offered 65, 90, or 120% of their precalving ME requirements for 3 wk precalving in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Analysis of gene expression profiles from blood cells revealed effects of time indicating that the transition cow's immune system counteracts the peripartum inflammation, whereas later postcalving it becomes activated to provide protection against postpartum infections. Far-off feeding affected (P < 0.05) the expression of 2 of the investigated genes at calving. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression in unstimulated, peripheral leukocytes were lower (P < 0.05) in animals from the Far-Off_Over-fed group compared with the Far-Off_Control-fed group. Close-up feeding had several effects on gene expression, indicating that immune function in Feed120 animals was distinct from the Feed90 and Feed65. In conclusion, feeding management precalving becomes an important intervention to ensure immunocompetence at and after calving.

SUBMITTER: Lange J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6313127 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Far-off and close-up feeding levels affect immunological performance in grazing dairy cows during the transition period.

Lange Joshua J Ganesh Siva S Meier Susanne S Kay Jane K JK Crookenden Mallory A MA Walker Caroline G CG Mitchell Murray D MD Loor Juan J JJ Roche John R JR Heiser Axel A

Journal of animal science 20190101 1

During the peripartum period, dairy cows often have signs of inflammation. Various stresses, including infectious and metabolic diseases, have been discussed as causative for this inflammation. In this study, expression profiles for 17 immune markers were measured in whole blood preparations from 78 dairy cows over a time frame starting 1 wk before calving to 4 wk after calving. Additionally, the effects of far-off and close-up feeding on immune function of dairy cows during the peripartum perio ...[more]

PMID: 30428048

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Project description:A transcriptomic approach was used to evaluate potential interactions between prepartum body condition score (BCS) and feeding management in the weeks before calving on hepatic metabolism during the transition period. Thirty-two mid-lactation grazing dairy cows of mixed age and breed were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two prepartum BCS categories [4.0 (thin, BCS4) and 5.0 (optimal, BCS5); based on a 10-point scale], and two levels of energy intake during the 3 wk preceding calving (75 and 125% of estimated requirements). Liver samples were obtained at -7, 7, and 28 d relative to parturition and subsequent RNA was hybridized to the Agilent 44K Bovine (V2) Microarray chip. The Dynamic Impact Approach was used for pathway analysis, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used for gene network analysis. The greater number of differentially expressed genes in BCS4 cows in response to prepartum feed allowance indicated that these animals were more responsive to prepartum nutrition management than optimally-conditioned cows. However, independent of prepartum BCS, pathway analysis revealed that prepartal feeding level had a marked effect on carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid, and glycan metabolism. Altered carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism indicated a greater and more prolonged negative energy balance post-calving in BCS5 cows overfed prepartum. This was indicated by opposite effects of pre-calving feeding in in BCS4 compared with BCS5 cows in amino acid, vitamin, and co-factor metabolism. The prepartum feed restriction ameliorated the metabolic adaptation to the new lactation in BCS5 cows, while detrimentally affecting BCS4 cows, which seemed to adapt better when overfed. Moreover, alterations in the glycosaminoglycans synthesis pathway support this idea, indicating better hepatic health status in feed-restricted BCS5 cows and overfed BCS4 animals. IPA network analysis indicated liver damage in feed-restricted thin cows, likely due to metabolic overload. Overall, the data indicate that overfeeding in late-pregnancy should be limited to underconditioned animals, while cow with optimal degree of body condition should be maintained on an energy restricted diet.

Dataset Information

Far-off and close-up feeding levels affect immunological performance in grazing dairy cows during the transition period.

Publications

Far-off and close-up feeding levels affect immunological performance in grazing dairy cows during the transition period.

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