Effects of whole flaxseed, raw soybeans, and calcium salts of fatty acids on measures of cellular immune function of transition dairy cows

Author(s)

Gandra, J. R. ^[1] ; Barletta, R. V. ^[2] ; Mingoti, R. D. ^[1] ; Verdurico, L. C. ^[1] ; Freitas, Jr., J. E. ^[1] ; Oliveira, L. J. ^[3] ; Takiya, C. S. ^[1] ; Kfoury, Jr., J. R. ^[4] ; Wiltbank, M. C. ^[2] ; Renno, F. P. ^{[1, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Nutr & Prod, BR-13635900 Pirassununga - Brazil

^[2] Univ Wisconsin, Dept Dairy Sci, Madison, WI 53706 - USA

^[3] Univ Florida, Dept Anim Sci, Gainesville, FL 32611 - USA

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Surg, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Bursar 1 C Natl Council Technol, BR-71605001 Brasilia, DF - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE; v. 99, n. 6, p. 4590-4606, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental n-3 and n-6 fatty acid (FA) sources on cellular immune function of transition dairy cows. Animals were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 diets: control (n = 11); whole flaxseed (n-3 FA source; n = 11), 60 and 80 g/kg of whole flaxseed {[}diet dry matter (DM) basis] during pre- and postpartum, respectively; whole raw soybeans (n-6 FA source; n = 10), 120 and 160 g/kg of whole raw soybeans (diet DM basis) during pre-and postpartum, respectively; and calcium salts of unsaturated FA (Megalac-E, n-6 FA source; n = 10), 24 and 32 g/kg of calcium salts of unsaturated FA (diet DM basis) during pre-and postpartum, respectively. Supplemental FA did not alter DM intake and milk yield but increased energy balance during the postpartum period. Diets containing n-3 and n-6 FA sources increased phagocytosis capacity of leukocytes and monocytes and phagocytosis activity of monocytes. Furthermore, n-3 FA source increased phagocytic capacity of leukocytes and neutrophils and increased phagocytic activity in monocytes and neutrophils when compared with n-6 FA sources. Supplemental FA effects on adaptive immune system included increased percentage of T-helper cells, T-cytotoxic cells, cells that expressed IL-2 receptors, and CD62 adhesion molecules. The results of this study suggest that unsaturated FA can modulate innate and adaptive cellular immunity and trigger a proinflammatory response. The n-3 FA seems to have a greater effect on phagocytic capacity and activity of leukocytes when compared with n-6 FA. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/07726-1 - Effects of insatured fatty acid supplementaton on production performance, oocity and embryo quality, and imune function in dairy cows during transition period and early lactation
• Grantee: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/10180-0 - Effect of supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids on the performance, oocyte and embryo quality in dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation
• Grantee: Jefferson Rodrigues Gandra
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate