Abstract Neutrophils have a central role in the inflammatory response and fight infection. Platelets are essential for hemostasis and thrombosis and fighting vascular damage. Studies in man show that the interaction between these cells can modulate their function. We aimed to assess the effect of possible relationships between the platelet count in whole blood on neutrophil activation. Blood samples (50 mL) from five clinically healthy Holstein Friesian cows at the NC A&T Dairy research unit were collected. Differential white blood cell counts were conducted using a VetScan (Zoetis). Neutrophils were isolated through differential centrifugation and hypotonic lysis of red blood cells. Duplicate samples of neutrophils were maintained in phosphate-buffered saline for 30 minutes at 37 °C. The total and viable neutrophil count was evaluated using TC20 (Bio-Rad). Samples were centrifuged. The supernatant was used to determine the concentration of total secreted protein using the Bicinchoninic acid assay (Pierce). Enumeration of bovine blood platelets and white blood cells was accomplished using the Vetscan study found that there was no significant difference observed in the total cell count or percent viability in neutrophils between the five cows (P > 0.05). However, protein concentration showed a significant change between animals. Correlations between total platelet count, neutrophil count, viability, and protein secretion were evaluated. No correlation was found between neutrophil count, protein secretion in isolated neutrophils and concentration of platelets in whole cow blood. The number of circulating platelets was not related to neutrophil viability or protein secretion. This approach can be used in further investigation using imaging and is needed to evaluate the effect and functional consequences of interactions between platelets and neutrophils in cow blood.
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