Study of collostrum and blood cytokines in Holstein cows and calves: effect of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ECET) on phagocytes

• Grant number: 09/10394-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: April 01, 2010 - September 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Jose Benesi
• Grantee: Fernando Jose Benesi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The supply of bovine collostrum to neonates is essential to transfer of immunity because the sindesmocorial placenta of cows prevent the passage of antibodies to the fetus during pregnancy. Besides the immunoglobulins and leukocytes, cytokines appear to be present in the collostrum, participating in the establishment of neonatal immunity. However, there are few studies that quantify the cytokines in bovine collostrum as well their role on the mammary gland and neonatal organic system. Thus, this project aims to quantify the cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) in collostrum and blood of cows before and after stimulation with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ECET), and these cytokines in neonates blood serum. Will be used fifteen healthy Holstein cows in the puerperal phase, and fifteen neonates calves. Bacteriological examination of all samples of collostrum will be done, discarding all samples with bacterial growth. Blood samples will be taken for cytokines quantification in the serum and for separation of phagocytes, for subsequent ECET stimulation and measurement of cytokines. Samples of collostrum will be taken before the first milking, with antisepsis procedures, and divided into two aliquots. Those collostrum samples will be used to bacteriological examination, excluding those with bacterial growth, and for the measurement of cytokines, as well done with collostrum pool and milk, offered as first feed to calves. Three experimental groups, with five calves each, will be used to verify the cytokines transfer to neonates. The G1 group will receive 2 litters of fresh collostrum, G2 group 2 litters of frozen collostrum, and G3 group will feed by milk only (without collostrum). This first feeding will occur in the first 6 hours after born (a.b.), and than the calves will be feed by 10% body weight equivalent volume per day, in two times daily. Evaluation of upper cytokines mentioned, will be measure in the calves serum, taken by moments: T0 (before the first feeding collostrum - G1, and G2, or milk - G3), T1 (1-2 days a.b.), T2 (3-4 days a.b.), T3 (5-6 days a. b.), T4 (7-8 days a.b.), and T5 (9-10 days a.b.). (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CAROLINA L. SHECAIRA; KARINA M. MADUREIRA; VIVIANI GOMES; CAROLINE H. SEINO; ROGERIO B. DOS SANTOS; JULIANA A. BOMBARDELLI; GABRIELA A. REIS; FERNANDO J. BENESI. Avaliação da transferência de citocinas para bezerros neonatos via ingestão de colostro de fêmeas bovinas Holandesas. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 34, n. 12, p. 1271-1275, 2014-12-00. (09/10394-0)