Pegbovigrastim Treatment around Parturition Enhances Postpartum Immune Response Gene Network Expression of whole Blood Leukocytes in Holstein and Simmental Cows

Maternal treatment with pegbovigrastim influences growth performance and immune-metabolic status of calves during the pre-weaning period

This study aimed to investigate the immune-metabolic status and growth performance of Simmental calves born from cows subjected to pegbovigrastim administration 7 days before calving. Eight calves born from cows subjected to pegbovigrastim administration (PEG group) and 9 calves born from untreated cows (CTR group) were used. Growth measurements and blood samples were collected from birth to 60 d of age. The PEG group had lower body weight from 28 up to 60 d of age (P < 0.01), lower heart girth (P < 0.05), lower weekly and total average daily gain values (P < 0.05) than the CTR group throughout the monitoring period. A decrease in milk replacer (MR) intake was observed in the PEG group compared with the CTR group around 20-28 d of age (P < 0.01). The PEG group had lower values of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) at d 1 of age (P < 0.05), Zn at 21 and 28 d of age (P < 0.05), hemoglobin, MCH and MCHC at 54 and 60 d of age (P < 0.01), and higher urea concentration at 21 and 28 d of age (P < 0.05) compared with the CTR group. Lower values of retinol (P < 0.05), tocopherol (P < 0.01), mean myeloperoxidase index (P < 0.05) and higher total reactive oxygen metabolites (P < 0.05) and myeloperoxidase (P < 0.05) were also detected in the PEG group. In light of the results gathered in the current study, it can be speculated that activation of the cow's immune system by pegbovigrastim could have influenced the immune competence, growth performance as well as the balance between oxidant and antioxidant indices of the newborn calf.

Pegbovigrastim treatment resulted in an economic benefit in a large randomized clinical trial in grazing dairy cows

This randomized controlled trial on 4 commercial grazing dairy farms investigated whether pegbovigrastim (PEG) treatment affected partial net return as calculated from milk revenues and costs for feed, medical treatments [clinical mastitis, uterine disease, and other diseases (i.e., any medical treatment that was not intended for clinical mastitis or uterine disease)], inseminations, and culling during a full lactation in grazing dairy cows. We also explored the effect of potential interactions of PEG treatment with parity, prepartum body condition score, and prepartum nonesterified fatty acids concentration on partial net return, milk revenues, and the costs mentioned above. Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 following trial arms: a first PEG dose 9.4 ± 0.3 (mean ± standard error) days before the calving date and a second dose within 24 hours after calving (PEG: primiparous = 342; multiparous = 697) compared with untreated controls (control: primiparous = 391; multiparous = 723). The effect of PEG treatment on the outcomes of interest expressed per year was tested using general linear mixed models. Results are presented as least squares means ± standard error. Overall, PEG treatment increased the partial net return, resulting in an economic benefit per cow per year of $210 ± 100. The cost of treatment of clinical mastitis was lower for PEG treated cows compared with control cows ($9 ± 3). The largest nonsignificant difference was seen for the cost of culling; additionally, PEG treatment numerically reduced the cost of culling by $145 ± 77.

Evaluation of mammary gland health in dairy cows treated by pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

The study aimed to determine the effect of the treatment by pegbovigrastim on the health of the mammary gland in dairy cows. Experimental animals were successively treated with 15 mg of pegylated bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (bG-CSF, pegbovigrastim, PEG, Imrestor, Elanco) 10 ± 3 days before expected parturition and 1 day after actual parturition. Cows in the control group remained without treatment. The occurrence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy cows during the first three months postpartum, and bacteriological findings in milk and milk yield were evaluated after preventive pegbovigrastim treatment. The influence of pegbovigrastim, as an additional treatment of mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis in dairy cows on the standard course of treatment, was evaluated. The average number of antimicrobial (AML) interventions necessary for healing, the proportion of cows with 1, 2, 3 and more AML interventions, milk somatic cell count before treatment, 1 and 2 months after treatment and average milk withdrawal time were evaluated between groups. The results of the study did not find positive effects of pegbovigrastim on any evaluated variables.

The Transition Period Updated: A Review of the New Insights into the Adaptation of Dairy Cows to the New Lactation

Recent research on the transition period (TP) of dairy cows has highlighted the pivotal role of immune function in affecting the severity of metabolic challenges the animals face when approaching calving. This suggests that the immune system may play a role in the etiology of metabolic diseases occurring in early lactation. Several studies have indicated that the roots of immune dysfunctions could sink way before the “classical” TP (e.g., 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after calving), extending the time frame deemed as “risky” for the development of early lactation disorders at the period around the dry-off. Several distressing events occurring during the TP (i.e., dietary changes, heat stress) can boost the severity of pre-existing immune dysfunctions and metabolic changes that physiologically affect this phase of the lactation cycle, further increasing the likelihood of developing diseases. Based on this background, several operational and nutritional strategies could be adopted to minimize the detrimental effects of immune dysfunctions on the adaptation of dairy cows to the new lactation. A suitable environment (i.e., optimal welfare) and a balanced diet (which guarantees optimal nutrient partitioning to improve immune functions in cow and calf) are key aspects to consider when aiming to minimize TP challenges at the herd level. Furthermore, several prognostic behavioral and physiological indicators could help in identifying subjects that are more likely to undergo a “bad transition”, allowing prompt intervention through specific modulatory treatments. Recent genomic advances in understanding the linkage between metabolic disorders and the genotype of dairy cows suggest that genetic breeding programs aimed at improving dairy cows’ adaptation to the new lactation challenges (i.e., through increasing immune system efficiency or resilience against metabolic disorders) could be expected in the future. Despite these encouraging steps forward in understanding the physiological mechanisms driving metabolic responses of dairy cows during their transition to calving, it is evident that these processes still require further investigation, and that the TP—likely extended from dry-off—continues to be “the final frontier” for research in dairy sciences.

Effect of IL8 haplotype on immunological traits in periparturient dairy cows

Interleukin 8 (IL8) is a major mediator of the innate immune response. Polymorphisms in this gene are associated with susceptibility to inflammatory disease in humans. Two major promoter polymorphic haplotypes (IL8-h1 and IL8-h2) segregating in cattle populations have shown a significant effect on the immune response profile in calves but their implications for transition cow immunity have not been established. The aims of this study were to assess functional relevance of the IL8 haplotypes on the immunological traits of periparturient cows (n = 32) belonging to three genetic groups: Holstein (HO), Simmental (SI) and their crosses (CR) and to evaluate the frequency of IL8 haplotypes in the HO (dairy) and SI (dual purpose) pure breeds. IL8 haplotypes showed a significant effect on circulating number of both T helper lymphocytes (P = 0.0133) and T cytotoxic lymphocytes (P = 0.0024). Differences in percentage of CD14⁺ monocytes and T lymphocyte subsets were found between haplotype groups at different time points. Plasma concentrations of Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Haptoglobin (Hp) were enhanced at calving in IL8-h2 (P = 0.0019, P = 0.0029) and IL8-het (P = 0.050 and P = 0.052) respectively, compared with IL8-h1 cows. In contrast, significantly lower levels of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) activation were identified in IL8-h2 and IL8-het cows after calving compared with IL8-h1 cows. Furthermore, genotyping results showed that SI cows have a high frequency of the homozygous IL8-h2 haplotype compared to the HO cows (87.5 % vs 40 %) which reflects the different selective pressure between the two pure breeds. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggests that IL8 promoter haplotype is associated with significant and dynamic changes in immunological traits during peripartum and early lactation period. Future work will focus on a more comprehensive assessment of immune changes in additional cows.

Energy Balance Indicators during the Transition Period and Early Lactation of Purebred Holstein and Simmental Cows and Their Crosses

Simple Summary

Dairy cows undergo a very challenging time between the weeks immediately before calving and the start of lactation after calving. In particular, high yielding dairy cows, such as purebred Holstein cows, have to cope with a severe negative energy balance. In comparison to the feed (energy) intake, they produce a great surplus of milk energy. The energy deficit is supposed to be smaller in dual-purpose breeds, such as (German) Simmental. Therefore, crossbreeding of both breeds, with the aim of using the advantageous characteristics of both breeds, and the expected advantage of crossbred cows, might reduce the negative effects of the metabolic and physiologic challenges by improving the production efficiency of dairy herds. After calving, Simmental cows and cows with greater Simmental proportions decreased less in the body condition score, had lower concentrations of ketone bodies, and nonesterified fatty acids in the blood, which are common indicators of metabolic disorders during the transition period. In particular, first generation (F1) crossbred cows produced more energy corrected milk (ECM) than purebred Holstein cows, while the other crossbred generations still showed positive heterosis effects for ECM. That means, they produced more ECM than the average of both parental breeds.

Abstract

Crossbreeding in dairy cattle has been used to improve functional traits, milk composition, and efficiency of Holstein herds. The objective of the study was to compare indicators of the metabolic energy balance, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, body condition score (BCS) back fat thickness (BFT), as well as milk yield and milk composition of Holstein and Simmental cows, and their crosses from the prepartum period until the 100th day of lactation at the Livestock Center of the Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany). In total, 164 cows formed five genetic groups according to their theoretic proportion of Holstein and Simmental genes as follows: Holstein (100% Holstein; n = 9), R1-Hol (51–99% Holstein; n = 30), first generation (F1) crossbreds (50% Holstein, 50% Simmental; n = 17), R1-Sim (1–49% Holstein; n = 81) and Simmental (100% Simmental; n = 27). The study took place between April 2018 and August 2019. BCS, BFT blood parameters, such as BHBA, glucose, and NEFA were recorded weekly. A mixed model analysis with fixed effects breed, week (relative to calving), the interaction of breed and week, parity, calving year, calving season, milking season, and the repeated measure effect of cow was used. BCS increased with the Simmental proportion. All genetic groups lost BCS and BFT after calving. Simmental cows showed lower NEFA values. BHBA and glucose did not differ among genetic groups, but they differed depending on the week relative to calving. Simmental and R1-Sim cows showed a smaller effect than the other genetic groups regarding changes in body weight, BCS, or back fat thickness after a period of a negative energy balance after calving. There was no significant difference for milk yield among genetic groups, although Simmental cows showed a lower milk yield after the third week after calving. Generally, Simmental and R1-Simmental cows seemed to deal better with a negative energy balance after calving than purebred Holstein and the other crossbred lines. Based on a positive heterosis effect of 10.06% for energy corrected milk (ECM), the F1, however, was the most efficient crossbred line.

Increase in white blood cell counts by pegbovigrastim in primiparous and multiparous grazing dairy cows and the interaction with prepartum body condition score and non-esterified fatty acids concentration

The objective of this study was to determine if parity affected the effect of pegbovigrastim (PEG) treatment on white blood cell (WBC) counts in grazing dairy cows. Additionally, the association of prepartum body condition score (BCS) and non-esterified fatty acid (Pre-NEFA) concentration with WBC counts was investigated. The effect of early-lactation disease was included in the statistical analysis. A randomized controlled trial on four commercial grazing dairy farms was performed. Holstein primiparous (Control = 87, PEG = 89) and multiparous (Control = 181, PEG = 184) cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: first PEG dose 8 ± 5 (mean ± SD) days before the expected calving date and a second dose within 24 h after calving (PEG) compared to untreated controls (Control). Treatment effects were evaluated with mixed linear regression models. Treatment with PEG increased WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts at 6 ± 1 (mean ± SD) days in milk. Parity, BCS and their interactions with treatment were not associated with WBC counts. In control cows, Pre-NEFA concentration was associated with reduced WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and tended to be associated with reduced monocyte counts. Pegbovigrastim treatment reversed the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with neutrophil and monocyte counts and tended to reverse the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with WBC counts. In the PEG treated group, cows diagnosed with retained placenta or metritis showed lower neutrophil counts when compared to PEG treated cows without these clinical diseases. These data confirm that PEG treatment increases WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts in grazing dairy cows and that this effect is independent of parity. Pegbovigrastim treatment reversed the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with neutrophil and monocyte counts, and tended to reverse the negative association of Pre-NEFA concentration with WBC counts.

Alternative Anti-Infective Treatments to Traditional Antibiotherapy against Staphylococcal Veterinary Pathogens

The genus Staphylococcus encompasses many species that may be pathogenic to both humans and farm animals. These bacteria have the potential to acquire multiple resistant traits to the antimicrobials currently used in the veterinary or medical settings. These pathogens may commonly cause zoonoses, and the infections they cause are becoming difficult to treat due to antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the development of novel alternative treatments to traditional antibiotherapy has gained interest in recent years. Here, we reviewed the most promising therapeutic strategies developed to control staphylococcal infections in the veterinary field to overcome antibiotic resistance.

Outcomes from Experimental Testing of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Administration during the Transition Period of Dairy Cows

Simple Summary

The treatment of dairy cows with nonsteroidal drugs is applied experimentally to investigate the relevance of inflammation during the periparturient period. Despite appearing healthy, dairy cows throughout the transition period and mainly after parturition can develop a pro-inflammatory status that may negatively influence milk production and cows’ health. The administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been demonstrated to have both positive or negative effects on health and milk production, depending on the type of inhibition mechanism, the dose administered and the cows’ lactation numbers. At present, the safety and efficacy of NSAIDs have not been irrefutably demonstrated; therefore, their use to improve metabolic and inflammatory status, as well as milk production and cow health after parturition, should be carefully evaluated.

Abstract

During the transition period, dairy cows experience great physiological stress caused by changes in metabolism and in the immune and endocrine systems. A pro-inflammatory state is another difficulty faced by even apparently healthy animals. The most significant negative consequences of inflammation in dairy cows are substantial impairment of milk production and deleterious effects on cows’ health in extreme cases. Nonetheless, a certain degree of inflammation is necessary to sustain physiological adaptations. In recent years, many studies have attempted to determine whether the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the transition period of dairy cows could positively affect milk production and cows’ health by controlling the inflammation status. This literature indicates that NSAIDs that act as preferential inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) activity show important side effects (e.g., increased risk of retained placenta, culling, or metritis) even if milk production is, on average, ameliorated. In contrast, preferential inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity have overall positive effects on cows’ health, with potential beneficial effects on milk production. Furthermore, it is important to note that with certain NSAID treatments, milk discarding is mandatory to prevent contamination with drug residues, but increased milk production can compensate for the loss of milk revenue during the withdrawal period.

The Role of Innate Immune Response and Microbiome in Resilience of Dairy Cattle to Disease: The Mastitis Model

Animal health is affected by many factors such as metabolic stress, the immune system, and epidemiological features that interconnect. The immune system has evolved along with the phylogenetic evolution as a highly refined sensing and response system, poised to react against diverse infectious and non-infectious stressors for better survival and adaptation. It is now known that high genetic merit for milk yield is correlated with a defective control of the inflammatory response, underlying the occurrence of several production diseases. This is evident in the mastitis model where high-yielding dairy cows show high disease prevalence of the mammary gland with reduced effectiveness of the innate immune system and poor control over the inflammatory response to microbial agents. There is growing evidence of epigenetic effects on innate immunity genes underlying the response to common microbial agents. The aforementioned agents, along with other non-infectious stressors, can give rise to abnormal activation of the innate immune system, underlying serious disease conditions, and affecting milk yield. Furthermore, the microbiome also plays a role in shaping immune functions and disease resistance as a whole. Accordingly, proper modulation of the microbiome can be pivotal to successful disease control strategies. These strategies can benefit from a fundamental re-appraisal of native cattle breeds as models of disease resistance based on successful coping of both infectious and non-infectious stressors.