Vertical transfer of bacteria by colostrum and milk intake from cows to their offsprings. Influence on gut microflora, immunity and occurrence of diarrhea in calves

• Grant number: 16/16748-2
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2016 - April 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal researcher: Viviani Gomes
• Grantee: Viviani Gomes
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Alice Maria Melville Paiva Della Libera ; Christian Hoffmann ; Karina Medici Madureira

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the vertical transfer of bacteria by colostrum and milk intake from cows to their offspring, and the influence of this factor on gut microbiome, immunity and diarrhea occurrence in neonate Holstein. Holstein dams (n=20) and their offspring from uncomplicated delivery will select for this study. Calves will receive colostrum and transition milk, from their dams, in volume equivalent of 15% of weight. Cows and calves will be evaluated immediately after delivery and birth (D0), D3, D7 e D14. Blood samples (60mL), mammary secretion (50mL) and feces will be harvest from dams. Blood samples (60mL), fecal and mucus rectal will be harvest from neonate. The blood and mammary secretion from cows will be used to obtain mononuclear cells for determination of the proportion of antigen presenting cells (APC) by flow cytometry. In the sample's calves, immunological assays will be performed to evaluate the immune response against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus coagulase-negative (SCN) e Escherichia coli: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production by granulocytes; proliferation, phenotiping and cytokines production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The plasma and rectal mucus will be used to perform ELISA for specific antibodies (IgG and IgA) for S.aureus, SCN and E.coli. The microbiome of whole colostrum, whole milk, colostrum cells, milk cells and feces from dams and neonates will be determined by sequencing of 16S rDNA bacterial. The data will be analyzed with appropriate statistical test according to data distribution. (AU)