Abstract
Simple SummaryDuring the transition period (TP), the innate and adaptive immune system of dairy cows is impaired, contributing to an increase in susceptibility to infectious disease. Pegbovigrastim is a recombinant form of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, that stimulates differentiation of hemopoietic stem cells to granulocyte and shortens maturation time within the bone marrow and their release in circulation. For the first time, this study investigated the effect of pegbovigrastim on the hematologic profile, including red cells and platelets during the TP in dual-purpose Simmental dairy cows. Results confirm the efficacy of pegbovigrastim administration in promoting the numbers of total with cells, mainly neutrophils. Nevertheless, this study highlighted the presence of an anemia condition in treated cows most likely caused by an inflammatory process involving the endothelium. Overall, this study confirms the safety of pegbovigrastim administration, but further studies need to check its ability to reduce infection even in Simmental breed.Pegbovigrastim is a long-acting analog of recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, that promotes and increases the count and functionality of polymorphonuclear cells in dairy cows. The present study aimed to explore, for the first time in Simmental cows, the clinical and hematological effect of pegbovigrastim during the transition period (TP). Cows were randomly assigned into two groups: treated group (PEG; n = 16) received pegbovigrastim at approximately 7 days before expected parturition and within 6 h after calving, and control group (CTR; n = 16) received saline solution. Blood samples were obtained at −7, 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days relative to calving. PEG group showed white blood cells (WBC) count consistently higher compared with CTR group (p < 0.001) until to 3 weeks after calving. Neutrophils remained higher in PEG group (p < 0.001) up to three weeks after calving, compared with CTR group, with slight increment of band cells. Moreover, PEG group displayed a lower index of myeloperoxidase at 1, 3, and 7 days after calving (p < 0.01) compared with CTR. Basophils and lymphocytes showed a similar trend to those observed for neutrophils at 1 day after calving in PEG group. Finally, monocytes remained markedly elevated until 3 days after calving in PEG compared to CTR group (p < 0.001), whereas in PEG group, eosinophils population showed lower percentage values at 1 and 3 days after calving but higher values at 30 days compared with CTR group. PEG group was characterized by lower red blood cells (RBCs) count compared with CTR group (p < 0.05) and higher % of red cell volume distribution width (RDW) from week 2 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) at 30 days after calving. In addition, the mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly higher in PEG group at calving, 1, 3, and 7 days after calving compared with CTR group (p < 0.05). For the first time, we described the effect of pegbovigrastim in a breed not specialized exclusively in milk production as Holstein, but with dual purpose (meat and milk), evaluating the complete hematological profile in cows during the transition period. These results provide evidence on the proliferative effect of pegbovigrastim on WBC in Simmental breed highlighting its possible side effect on RBCs.
Highlights
The transition period (TP) is one of the most critical physiological stages in dairy cattle, characterized by a negative energy balance and micronutrient deficiencies [1]
A slight decrease of red cells this is the first report focusing on influences of pegbovigrastim on complete blood cell population of count and hematocrit in cows treated with pegbovigrastim were reported only by McDougall [16]
Large platelets are more active enzymatically and metabolically than small platelets and produce, for example, more thromboxane A2 [36]. This is the first study that exhaustively highlights the effects of pegbovigrastim on erythrocytes and platelets in Simmental cows
Summary
The transition period (TP) is one of the most critical physiological stages in dairy cattle, characterized by a negative energy balance and micronutrient deficiencies [1]. To satisfy the synthesis of colostrum and milk, high yielding cows need a higher demand of energy, but a decreased feed intake fails to let them adapt to this metabolic challenge. After parturition, dairy cows increase mobilization of body fat and subsequently serum NEFA levels [2], becoming more susceptible to several metabolic and infectious disorders affecting their productive and reproductive efficiency. The exact mechanism for increase susceptible to pathogens infection is not fully clear yet, a suppression of immune responsiveness during the transition period in cow has been well documented [6]. Neutrophils represent the first defense line against microorganisms and play a crucial role of innate immune response; once at sites of infection, these cells actively phagocytize microorganisms or form neutrophil extracellular traps to kill pathogens [7]. Neutrophils are under the control of the granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), whose effects on granulocytopoiesis are well known, and shown to have direct effects on the recruitment and bactericidal ability of neutrophils, resulting in improved survival of experimentally infected animals [9]
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