Abstract
Simple SummaryThe acute phase response (APR), which comprises a series of specific physiological reactions, is a systemic reaction of the organism to disturbances in its homeostasis caused by infection, inflammation, tissue damage, and stress. Even in healthy ewes, during pregnancy and the transition period, corticosteroids are released which cause the physiological acute phase response. Both in humans and animals, the immune system, like many other physiological systems, is dysregulated with age and a process known as immunoaging occurs. Knowledge of APPs, cortisol, and haematological parameters and factors that influence their alteration could be useful for establishing herd health in ewes during the periparturient period. Understanding how these factors interact with the immune system will help in developing disease control and management strategies that will aid in maintaining good health in ewes and lambs, resulting in greater reproduction.A well-functioning immune system is the basis for protection against infectious and metabolic diseases, and a smooth return to homeostasis. The periparturient period is considered critical because major changes in the endocrine, behavioural, digestive, and immune systems dysregulate immune function, leading to immunosuppression. With age, the immune system could become dysregulated. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare changes in plasma concentrations of acute phase proteins, cortisol, and haematological parameters in the peripheral blood of two age-related groups of healthy ewes to get a better understanding of changes around lambing. Two groups of ewes were enrolled in the study: 3-year-old (young; n = 9) and 7-year-old ewes (old; n = 9). All females were synchronised and inseminated. In blood plasma, serum amyloid A (SAA) and cortisol concentrations were measured using ELISA tests, a spectrophotometric method to determine haptoglobin (Hp), and a thrombin clottable estimation to determine the fibrinogen (Fb) concentration. The blood parameters were examined using an automated haematological analyser. In clinically healthy ewes, no significant effect of age was observed in SAA, Hp, Fb and cortisol concentration in most of analysed terms. SAA, Hp, Fb, and cortisol fluctuations typical for the periparturient period were observed. There were no age-associated differences in red or white blood cell parameters.
Highlights
Both in humans and animals, the immune system, like many other physiological systems, is dysregulated with age, and a process known as immunoaging occurs
The changes may be the result of an imbalance in the distribution and a reduction in the number of newly formed T lymphocytes, the main cellular modulators of the acquired immune response, which is caused by the gradual involution of the thymus with age [1,2]
IL-6 is a major mediator of the induction of acute phase reactions that restore the body’s homeostatic state after infection, inflammation, wounds, or other stress factors. Both in humans and animals, the inflammatory activity in the blood increases, and there is an increase in the concentration of TNF-α and IL-6, which leads to a change in the concentration of acute phase proteins [4]
Summary
Both in humans and animals, the immune system, like many other physiological systems, is dysregulated with age, and a process known as immunoaging occurs. IL-6 is a major mediator of the induction of acute phase reactions that restore the body’s homeostatic state after infection, inflammation, wounds, or other stress factors. With age, both in humans and animals, the inflammatory activity in the blood increases, and there is an increase in the concentration of TNF-α and IL-6, which leads to a change in the concentration of acute phase proteins [4]. According to the network theory of aging, with age, the defence mechanisms of cells are impaired, and one broken factor that breaks the network of connections leads to a cascade of effects manifested by inflammation. Subclinical chronic inflammaging, along with a weakened, ineffective defence against infectious agents, characterises the impaired function of the immune system
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