Ceruloplasmin activity in Holstein dairy cows: effects of lactation stages and anticoagulants

Effect of lactation on the distribution of mineral elements in goat milk

The distribution of mineral elements in milk is crucial for their absorption and utilization, however, there has been limited attention given to the status of mineral elements in goat milk. In this study, goat milk was collected at 4 lactation periods (1-3, 90, 150, 240 d) and separated into 4 fractions (fat, casein, whey, and aqueous phase). The concentrations of Mg, Ca, Na, K, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Mo, and Cr in 4 fractions were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer. Our findings reveal that Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Cr exhibit the highest levels in casein, while Mo demonstrates the highest content in whey. Additionally, Mg, Na, K, and Ni display the highest concentrations in the aqueous phase. Specifically, the contents of Ca, Cu and Fe in casein decrease from 1-3 to 150 d of lactation but increase from 150 to 240 d of lactation. Furthermore, the content of Mg in the aqueous phase decreases from 1-3 to 90 d of lactation but increases from 90 to 240 d of lactation. The content of Na and K in the aqueous phase decreases from 1-3 to 150 d of lactation. Notably, the content of Mo in whey increases from 1-3 to 150 d of lactation and decreases from 150 to 240 d. Our research contributes to the advancement of understanding the bioavailability of mineral elements in goat milk.

Biological Health Markers Associated with Oxidative Stress in Dairy Cows during Lactation Period

This review aims to summarize and present different biological health markers in dairy cows during the lactation period. Biochemical health markers provide an indicator of how foreign chemical substances, whether external or internal, affect the animal’s health. To understand the relationship between dairy cow health issues and oxidative stress, various biomarkers of oxidative stress must be investigated. Biochemical and hematological factors play a significant role in determining the biological health markers of animals. A variety of biochemical parameters are dependent on various factors, including the animal’s breed, its age, its development, its pregnancy status, and its production status. When assessing the health of cattle, a blood test is conducted to determine the blood chemistry. To diagnose diseases in dairy animals, the blood biochemistry is necessary to determine the cause of many physiological, metabolic, and pathological problems. Observing blood alterations during pregnancy and at peak lactation may determine what factors lift oxidative stress in cows due to disturbances in feed intake and metabolic processes.

Comparative evaluation of mineral profiles in different blood specimens of dairy cows at different production phases

Background

Evaluation of mineral profiles including essential and toxic elements in dairy cows provides fundamental information for bovine practitioners during regular herd supervision and monitoring. The present research was designed to investigate the variations of mineral profiles in different blood specimens of dairy cows at different lactation stages.

Methods

This study was divided into two parts: the first included 32 cows, which were classified into four groups according to their lactation stages, and the second involved 10 cows at mid-lactation. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), total phosphorous (P), sulfur (S), cobalt (Co), silicon (Si), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), thallium (Tl), boron (B), aluminum (Al), uranium (U), and arsenic (As) were measured in serum, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma, heparin plasma, and EDTA whole blood samples.

Results

The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ba, and Sr showed significant variations among the dairy cows of different lactation stages (p < 0.05). Strong regressions were determined between the mineral concentrations in individual and pooled samples (R² = 0.991, p = 0.000). In comparison to other blood sample types, the concentration of Cu, Ba, and Sr was higher in EDTA plasma (p < 0.000). In addition, the values of Zn, Se, Fe, and Mn were significantly increased in heparin and EDTA whole blood samples. Concentrations of Ca and Mg, and P were higher in EDTA plasma, and EDTA whole blood samples, respectively. Furthermore, the mean values of Si, Li, Ni, and Tl showed significant increases in EDTA plasma, while S values were higher in EDTA whole blood samples (p < 0.000). Concentrations of Al and U exhibited significant increases in serum samples (p < 0.000).

Conclusion

Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ba, and Sr undergo physiological variations among dairy cows at different lactation stages. Therefore, caution should be taken during assessment of these minerals. The concentrations of essential and toxic elements, as well as Ca, P, Mg, and S, varied among the different blood sample specimens, indicating their interpretations should be based on this regard. During dairy herd supervision, the use of pool sample, instead of individual ones, for determination of mineral status may be promising to minimize the costs of individual sample measurements. In general, EDTA plasma may be more suitable for measurements of Ca, Mg, P, and S. It seems that EDTA plasma and heparinized plasma are suited for the estimation of Se and Fe, respectively.

Genetic Regulation of Biomarkers as Stress Proxies in Dairy Cows

Stress in livestock reduces productivity and is a welfare concern. At a physiological level, stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory responses and increased levels of harmful reactive oxygen species. Biomarkers that are indicative of stress could facilitate the identification of more stress-resilient animals. We examined twenty-one metabolic, immune response, and liver function biomarkers that have been associated with stress in 416 Italian Simmental and 436 Italian Holstein cows which were genotyped for 150K SNPs. Single-SNP and haplotype-based genome-wide association studies were carried out to assess whether the variation in the levels in these biomarkers is under genetic control and to identify the genomic loci involved. Significant associations were found for the plasma levels of ceruloplasmin (Bos taurus chromosome 1-BTA1), paraoxonase (BTA4) and γ-glutamyl transferase (BTA17) in the individual breed analysis that coincided with the position of the genes coding for these proteins, suggesting that their expression is under cis-regulation. A meta-analysis of both breeds identified additional significant associations with paraoxonase on BTA 16 and 26. Finding genetic associations with variations in the levels of these biomarkers suggests that the selection for high or low levels of expression could be achieved rapidly. Whether the level of expression of the biomarkers correlates with the response to stressful situations has yet to be determined.

Differences in copper and selenium metabolism between Angus (Bos taurus) and Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle

A 2-yr study was conducted at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, University of Florida - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) (Ona, FL), to evaluate differences in the metabolism of Cu and Se of Angus (Bos taurus) and Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle. Thirty-two pregnant beef cows (n = 8 Brahman and 8 Angus/yr) were enrolled in the study in the first trimester of gestation. This study consisted of three phases: 1) restriction (day 0 to 90), 2) supplementation (day 91 to 150), and 3) calving. During all three phases, cows were individually fed and housed in partially covered drylot pens. During the restriction and supplementation phases, cows were provided a 1.5 kg/d of a grain-based concentrate supplement, which was fortified with flowers of S (50 g of supplemental S/cow daily; restriction phase) or Cu and Se (100 and 3 mg/d of Cu and Se, respectively; supplementation phase). Blood and liver samples were collected from all cows at 30 d intervals and from both cows and calves within 24 h of calving. Colostrum and milk samples were collected at calving and 7 d after birth. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, where cow and calf were the experimental unit. During the restriction phase, a breed × day effect (P = 0.03) was observed where Brahman had greater liver Cu concentration than Angus cows in all sampling days. For liver Se concentration, a tendency (P = 0.07) for a breed effect was observed where Angus cows tended to have greater liver Se concentration than Brahman. During the supplementation phase, breed (P < 0.001) and day (P < 0.01) effects were observed, where Brahman cows had greater liver Cu concentration than Angus. For liver Se concentration, a day effect (P < 0.001) was observed, where liver Se concentration increased (P < 0.001) from day 90 to 120 and remained unchanged (P = 0.86) until day 150. At calving, no effects of breed (P = 0.34) were observed for liver Cu concentration of cows; however, Brahman calves tended (P = 0.09) to have greater liver Cu concentration than Angus calves. For Se liver concentration at calving, Angus cows tended (P = 0.07) to have greater liver Se concentration than Brahman cows; however, no breed differences (P = 0.70) were observed for liver Se concentration of calves at birth. In summary, substantial differences in multiple indicators of Cu and Se status were observed between Angus and Brahman cattle, implying that Angus and Brahman cattle possibly have different mechanisms to maintain adequate Cu and Se status.

Validation of an automated assay for measurement of bovine plasma ceruloplasmin

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) plays an important role in copper transport and iron metabolism, as well as Cp is also an indicator for the health status of dairy cows. The present study reports the validation of an automated assay to assess the plasma Cp in dairy cows. Plasma Cp levels were determined in 40 Holstein cows and intra- and inter-assay precision, accuracy, detection limit, and clinical validation of the assay were determined. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were < 2% and < 7%, respectively. The results were linear when serial sample dilutions were tested (r = 0.999, P < 0.001). The detection limit was lower than what could be measured in plasma from healthy cows. Increased plasma Cp levels were found in cows with inflammatory diseases. The method validated in this study is precise, simple, and fast and can be easily adapted to biochemical automated analysers. Furthermore, the promising results obtained with this protein will contribute to a wider use of Cp determination in bovine practice.

Analytical validation of bovine plasma ceruloplasmin measurement by p-phenylenediamine oxidation and effect of storage time and freezing temperature

BACKGROUND

Determination of ceruloplasmin (Cp) activity in plasma can provide an objective measure of the health of dairy cows as well as it can be used for various diagnostic purposes. The current study was designed to perform an analytical validation of a method for the determination of plasma Cp activity in dairy cows and to evaluate the influences of plasma storage times and temperatures as well as freeze-thaw cycles on the activity of this enzyme. This cohort was carried out on ten cows. For each cow, 24 aliquots of plasma, which were stored at different temperature regimes, were prepared. Both intra- and interassay coefficients of variation (CVs) were determined. The linearity was evaluated using bovine plasma Cp standard.

RESULTS

The mean values of intra- and interassay CVs were 1.08 and 2.12%, respectively. Results of linearity testing showed a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.998, P < 0.001). After 3 days of storage at room temperature and refrigeration, the plasma activity of Cp was significantly lowered (P < 0.05). Plasma samples kept at freezing for 3 months revealed insignificant changes in the activity of Cp. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles for three times had no significant influence on the activity of Cp.

CONCLUSIONS

The method is easy and may be valid at values of Cp ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/L. It seems that keeping of plasma samples at room temperature and refrigeration longer than 3 days is unsuitable for Cp measurement. In addition, Cp remains stable in plasma samples stored at freezing as well as repeat freeze-thaw cycles.

Plasma oxidative stress biomarkers and progesterone profiles in a dairy cow diagnosed with an ovarian follicular cyst

This study was conducted to examine the oxidative stress biomarkers in a cow diagnosed with a follicular cyst in her left ovary. Progesterone (P4) and plasma oxidative stress status was measured in 13 Holstein cows after synchronization of oestrus with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and prostaglandinF2α (PGF2α) protocol. The presence and size of ovarian structures were monitored by transrectal ultrasound at 4 hourly intervals. Of the 13 cows, 12 were monitored until ovulation was detected and recorded, whereas one cow failed to ovulate and developed a follicular cyst. Oxidative stress biomarkers; reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), oxidative stress index (OSI), glutathione (GSH), ceruloplasmin and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were measured in the cystic cow and compared to those of the 12 ovulated cows and are referred to as higher or lower if they are outside the mean ± standard error of mean of those of ovulated cows. The cystic cow had lower ROMs and OSI between 36 and 84 h after PGF2α injection and at 9 h, from 36 to 60 h after PGF2α injection respectively. On the other hand, antioxidant (BAP and GSH) was higher in the cystic cow compared to her ovulated herd mates. The observed imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant might have disrupted the physiological events for ovulation to occur, leading to cystic ovarian disease.

Effects of grain, fructose, and histidine feeding on endotoxin and oxidative stress measures in dairy heifers

Ruminal endotoxin and plasma oxidative stress biomarker concentrations were studied in dairy heifers challenged with grain, fructose, and histidine in a partial factorial study. Holstein-Friesian heifers [n=30; average body weight (BW) of 359.3±47.3 kg] were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups: (1) control (no grain); (2) grain [crushed triticale at 1.2% of BW dry matter intake (DMI)]; (3) grain (0.8% of BW DMI) + fructose (0.4% of BW DMI); (4) grain (1.2% of BW DMI) + histidine (6g/head); and (5) grain (0.8% of BW DMI) + fructose (0.4% of BW DMI) + histidine (6 g/head). Rumen samples were collected by stomach tube 5, 65, 115, 165, and 215 min after diet consumption and blood samples at 5 and 215 min after consumption. Rumen fluid was analyzed for endotoxin concentrations. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of the following oxidative stress biomarkers: reactive oxygen metabolites (dROM), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), advanced oxidation protein products, and ceruloplasmin, and activity of glutathione peroxidase. Dietary treatment had no effect on concentrations of endotoxin or oxidative stress biomarkers. We observed no interactions of treatment by time. Ruminal concentrations of endotoxin decreased during the sampling period from 1.12×10(5) ± 0.06 to 0.92×10(5) endotoxin units/mL ± 0.05 (5 and 215 min after diet consumption, respectively). Concentrations of dROM and the oxidative stress index (dROM/BAP × 100) increased over the sampling period, from 108.7 to 123.5 Carratelli units (Carr U), and from 4.1 to 4.8, respectively. Ceruloplasmin concentrations markedly declined 5 min after the consumption of diets, from 190 to 90 mg/L over the 215-min sampling period. Overall, a single feeding challenge for dairy cattle with grain, fructose, and histidine, and combinations thereof, may not be sufficient to induce marked changes in endotoxin or oxidative stress biomarker concentrations.

Oxytocin induced oxidative stress in lactating Bubalis bubalis (Nili Ravi)

Background

Oxytocin has been reported for a wide range of adverse effects in different species of lactating animals. The present study was aimed to evaluate the adverse effects of oxytocin on biomarkers of oxidative stress in buffaloes. Lactating buffaloes (n = 40) were randomly selected from a commercial dairy farm located in the peri-urban area of district Faisalabad, Pakistan and divided into two equal groups viz. treatment and control groups, each containing 20 buffaloes. Buffaloes in treatment group were injected with oxytocin before each milking (morning and evening) for milk let down; whereas, animals in control group were milked naturally without oxytocin injection. Both the groups were assessed for oxidative stress biomarkers.

Results

Results showed significantly higher levels (P ≤ 0.05) of TOS, tHcy and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity in lactating buffaloes injected with oxytocin as compared to those of control group. On the other hand, serum levels of TAS, PON1 and arylesterase were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in the buffaloes of treatment group.

Conclusions

Oxytocin injection in lactating buffaloes resulted in elevated oxidative stress by increasing the total homocysteine and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity and decreasing enzymatic activities of antioxidant enzymes including paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase; that might render the animals to poor productive and reproductive potential.

Variations in copper concentration and ceruloplasmin activity of dairy cows in relation to lactation stages with regard to ceruloplasmin to copper ratios

Variations of copper (Cu) concentration and ceruloplasmin (Cp) activity in serum and plasma of dairy cows at different stages of lactation were assessed in 240 Holstein dairy cows. Furthermore, ceruloplasmin to copper ratios were also investigated. The cows were classified according to their lactation stages into four different groups as close-up stage (3-1 week(s) antepartum), fresh lactation stage (0-1 week postpartum), early lactation stage (3-5 weeks postpartum), and mid-lactation stage (15-18 weeks postpartum). Each group consisted of 60 multiparous cows. Serum and heparinised plasma samples were obtained from each cow. Concentrations of serum copper (sCu) and plasma copper (pCu) as well as activities of plasma Cp (pCp) were higher in the group of fresh lactation stage than other groups (P < 0.05). Serum Cp (sCp) exhibited no significant difference between fresh lactation and early lactation groups (P > 0.05). Low correlations were obtained between sCp and pCu, sCp and sCu, and sCu and pCu. Plasma copper concentration and plasma ceruloplasmin activity were higher than serum copper concentration and serum ceruloplasmin activity, respectively (P < 0.001). The ratios of Cp activity to Cu concentration (Cp/Cu) were not significantly changed in the different lactation stages of dairy cows (P > 0.05). Use of sCp/pCu and sCp/sCu rather than pCp/pCu will reduce the calculated value of Cp/Cu. Furthermore, for evaluation of copper status, use of sCp/sCu or sCp/pCu identified more animals as 'low' and 'marginal' than using pCp/pCu (P < 0.001). It can be concluded that ceruloplasmin and copper undergo a physiological increase just after calving; thus, their values should be interpreted with caution during assessment of copper status. Plasma measurements should be used for calculation of Cp/Cu, and further research is required to refine diagnosis criteria for use of such ratio in determining copper status in dairy cows.