Abstract
Lameness in dairy cows is an extremely painful multifactorial condition that affects the welfare of animals and economically impacts the dairy industry worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of cytokines in the spinal cord dorsal horn of dairy cows with painful chronic inflammatory lameness. Concentrations of 10 cytokines were measured in the spinal cord of seven adult dairy cows with chronic lameness and seven adult dairy cows with no lameness. In all cows lameness was evaluated using a mobility scoring system and registered accordingly. Immediately after euthanasia the spinal cord was removed and 20 cm of lumbar segments (L2–L5) were obtained. After dorsal horn removal and processing, cytokine quantification of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1α), interleukin 13 (IL-13), chemokine-10 (CXCL10/IP-10), chemokine-9 (CXCL9/MIG), interferon-alpha (IFN-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-21 (IL-21), interleukin-36ra (IL-36ra), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1β) was performed using a multiplex array. Lame cows had higher concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1-α, IL-13, CXCL10, CXCL9, IFN-α, and IFN-γ in their dorsal horn compared to non-lame cows, while IL-21 concentration was decreased. No differences in IL-36ra and MIP-1β concentrations between lame and non-lame cows were observed. Painful chronic inflammation of the hoof in dairy cows leads to a marked increase in cytokine concentration in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which could represent a state of neuroinflammation of the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Highlights
Intensive dairy farming may lead to negative health and welfare outcomes, including chronic painful lameness [1]
The aim of this study was to determine the profile of cytokines in the spinal cord dorsal horn of dairy cows with painful chronic inflammatory lameness
Spinal cord dorsal horn samples obtained from lame cows had higher concentrations of TNF-α (p = 0.024), IL-1-α (p = 0.0339), interleukin 13 (IL-13) (p = 0.0204), CXCL10 (p = 0.025), CXCL9 (p = 0.0252), IFN-α (p = 0.0391), and IFN-γ (p = 0.0027) compared to non-lame cows
Summary
Intensive dairy farming may lead to negative health and welfare outcomes, including chronic painful lameness [1]. Several chronic painful conditions have reported elevated circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines in humans [15]. Spinal cord cytokines can increase synaptic transmission toward supraspinal levels, enhancing pathological pain sensation and favoring central sensitization [18] which is a key element in chronic pain development and maintenance [19]. The role of proinflammatory cytokines in chronic pain is well-known, the spinal concentration of cytokines has not been reported in chronic lame cows. We hypothesize that chronic inflammatory lameness promotes persistent nociceptive input, which could induce changes in cytokine synthesis in the spinal cord. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of cytokines in the spinal cord dorsal horn of dairy cows with painful chronic inflammatory lameness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
