Physiological changes in the adenosine deaminase activity, antioxidant and inflammatory parameters in pregnant cows and at post-partum

Is adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in saliva and serum a more accurate disease detection tool than traditional redox balance parameters in early-lactating dairy cows?

Enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a marker of inflammation in domestic animals, but it is unclear whether it is a reliable marker of oxidative stress, especially in the transition period in dairy cows. This study aims to assess if ADA and redox status measurements in saliva provide the same utility to detect disease condition as that obtained from serum. Sixty-eight multiparous Holstein cows, between 2 and 3 weeks postpartum were selected. Five study groups were established: control (healthy), and cows with ketosis, mastitis, laminitis, and metritis. The parameters measured were ADA activity, total oxidants (TOS), antioxidants (TAC), and OSi ratio.Regarding redox status, no significant differences arise in both saliva and serum being the correlations negative and not significant. In saliva, ADA activity in healthy cows differs from those with pathological processes, having the lowest activities. In serum, ADA activity is similar in the healthy and ketosis cows, showing the lowest activities meanwhile animals with mastitis, laminitis, or metritis have significantly higher activities. In conclusion, the measurement of ADA activities and redox status in saliva does not give consistent results, being preferable to measure them in serum during the transition period.

Encapsulated pepper blend in the diet of confined Holstein bullocks: effect on ruminal volatile fatty acid profiles, growth performance, and animal health

Dairy bulls in feedlots have been a viable alternative for dairy producers to reinforce the family's income. Aspects such as balanced diets and proper management are essential for these animals to develop and allow an economic return fully. Plant extracts are performance enhancers and ruminal and intestinal health promoters. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether the addition of encapsulated pepper (EP) blend (Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, and Capsicum chinense - rich in capsaicin) interferes with the volatile fatty acid profile in the rumen and enhances the growth performance of Holstein bullocks in a feedlot. For the experiment, 24 whole bullocks were used, distributed into three treatments, with eight replicates per treatment (one animal as an experimental unit, kept in an individual stall): groups T0, T200, and T400, receiving 0 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg EP/kg of concentrate, respectively. Knowing the intake of concentrate and the average body weight during the experiment, we calculated the dose in mg/kg/day of the EP; that is, the T200 animals consumed 2.45 mg EP/kg (body weight -BW)/day; and T400 consumed 4.9 mg EP/kg BW/day. The animals from T400 presented a more significant weight gain between days 15 and 45 of confinement compared to T0 (P=0.05). This same treatment (T400) had a trend of lower weight gain between days 46 and 90 (P=0.09). Likewise, the T400 group had higher feed efficiency than T0 between days 15 and 45. Furthermore, the treatments affected the white blood cell count, with the T400 bullocks showing a higher number of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in the serum of steers from both groups that consumed pepper (P<0.01). Interaction between treatment × day was observed for the activity of glutathione enzymes (GST and GPx) and levels of lipoperoxidation (LPO) (characterized by antioxidant stimulation) associated with the reduction in serum LPO; similar antioxidant enzymes behavior was observed in the liver. In the small intestine (jejunum), the activities of antioxidant enzymes (GST and GPx) were lower in the two groups of cattle that consumed EP, and LPO was lower. The treatments affected the concentration of acetic acid in the rumen fluid, presenting lower levels in T400 compared to T200 and similar T0 (P≤0.05). There was an interaction of day vs. treatment for propionic acid, presenting a higher concentration on day 45 at T400 than T0. These results, therefore, allow us to conclude that adding 400 mg of pepper extract can be an excellent additive for weight gain at the beginning of the experiment; however, over time, this dose of additive negatively affects weight gain. Both EP doses stimulated serum and tissue antioxidant responses, reducing lipoperoxidation. However, the 400 mg EP/kg concentrate suggests a pro-inflammatory response (leukocytosis and elevated CRP), s probably related to the high dose (i.e., between 1.7 and 2.4 g/animal/day).

Serum Concentrations of Immunoglobulins and Cortisol Around Parturition in Clinically Healthy Sows and Sows with Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome (PDS)

Introduction

This study aimed to determine the profile of immunoglobulins and cortisol concentrations in serum around the periparturient period in sows suffering from postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) and in healthy sows.

Material and Methods

A total of 45 sows with lactation impairment (Group PDS) and 58 clinically healthy sows with a physiological peripartum period (Group H) were subjected to a serological test (ELISA) for measurement of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) and cortisol concentration.

Results

The serum contents of IgG, IgM and IgA had highly similar profiles in PDS-affected sows and healthy ones. A significantly higher concentration of IgG at 28 and 14 days ante partum compared to days 3 and 7 post partum was only observed in Group H. The mean cortisol content remained at a highly similar level throughout the entire experiment in both groups.

Conclusion

The results of the study indicate that lactation impairment such as PDS did not influence the immunoglobulin or cortisol concentration in sow serum.

Changes of adenosine deaminase activity in serum and saliva around parturition in sows with and without postpartum dysgalactia syndrome

BACKGROUND

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) is associated with a significantly higher activation of the inflammatory and stress response at parturition than in the healthy sow. Therefore, reliable and possibly non-invasive biomarkers for substantial increases of inflammation are searched to support the PDS diagnosis. This report studies the possible changes of the inflammatory marker enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) in serum and saliva of 38 PDS positive sows (PDS+) and 38 healthy sows (PDS-). Sampling was performed every 24 h from 60 h before to 36 h after parturition. Isoenzyme 1 (ADA1) and isoenzyme 2 (ADA2), as well as total ADA (tADA), were measured and their statistical association with several serum and saliva biomarkers of inflammation and stress was investigated.

RESULTS

Compared to a baseline (60 to 36h prepartum), salivary activities of ADA1, ADA2 and tADA increased significantly over time in both PDS+ and PDS- sows, reaching their peaks after parturition. In serum from PDS- sows, no changes were observed over time in either ADA1, ADA2 or tADA. In PDS+ sows, serum ADA2 activity decreased temporarily after parturition followed by a significant increase compared to baseline. ADA1, ADA2 and tADA were all significantly associated with several inflammatory biomarkers and ADA1 in serum was associated with serum cortisol. Although serum activity was higher in PDS+ than in PDS- sows, the differences were not statistically significant. Further, no difference was noted between the groups in the analyses of saliva.

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary ADA1 and ADA2 increased in all sows after parturition, potentially as a response to the postpartum inflammation. However, no difference in the activity of ADA1, ADA2 and tADA were found between PDS+ and PDS- sows indicating inability to diagnose PDS under the conditions described in this report.

Changes in saliva analytes during pregnancy, farrowing and lactation in sows: A sialochemistry approach

Salivary biomarkers were studied in 17 healthy Large White sows from early gestation to the end of lactation. Saliva samples were obtained at 34 ± 3 days from insemination (G30), 24 ± 4 days before farrowing (G90), within the first 24 h after farrowing (L1) and at the end of a lactation period of 21 days (L21). The measurements in saliva included stress-related biomarkers (cortisol, chromogranin A, α-amylase, butyrylcholinesterase [BChE] and lipase [Lip]), inflammatory biomarkers (adenosine deaminase isoenzymes 1 [ADA1] and 2 [ADA2], and haptoglobin [Hp]) and oxidative stress biomarkers (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing ability, uric acid, advanced oxidation protein products [AOPP] and hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂]), as well as routine biochemistry analytes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], γ-glutamine transferase [GGT], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], creatine kinase [CK], urea, creatinine, triglycerides, lactate, calcium and phosphorus). The main changes were observed at farrowing, with increases in biomarkers of stress (cortisol and BChE), inflammation (ADA isoenzymes and Hp) and oxidative stress (AOPP and H₂O₂), as well as muscle and hepatic enzymes (CK, AST, ALP, GGT and LDH). Lactate and triglycerides increased at the end of gestation and remained at high concentrations until the end of lactation. Lip was higher in gestation than at lactation. Thus, changes in biomarkers of stress, immune function, oxidative stress, hepatic and muscle integrity, and energy mobilization occur in sow saliva during pregnancy, farrowing and lactation. These changes, caused by physiological conditions, should be taken into consideration when these biomarkers are used for the evaluation of sow health and welfare.