Injection of antioxidant trace minerals/vitamins into peripartum crossbred cows improves the nutritional and immunological properties of colostrum/milk and the health of their calves under heat stress conditions.

Multimineral and vitamin injections can provide better nutrient availability at the cellular level, which is essential for mitigating transition period stress and improving the wellbeing and productivity of dairy cows. The present study was conducted to assess the colostrum quality and calf health after intramuscular injection of multi-minerals (MM) and multi-vitamins (MV) to peripartum cows during winter (THI = 58 to 66) and summer (THI = 78 to 82) months. In each season, twenty-four pregnant crossbred Karan Fries cows were grouped into four, each consisting of six cows. Group I, referred to as the Control, received solely the basal diet, without any additional supplements. Groups II, III, and IV were administered additional MM (T1), MV (T2), and a combined MM and MV (T3) along with their basal diet, starting 30 days before calving and continuing for 30 days after calving. Blood samples were collected from the calves, while colostrum/milk samples were obtained from the cows on days 1, 3, 7, and 15 after calving. The somatic cell counts (SCC) in the milk were determined using a cell counter. Cortisol, IgG, IGF1 and total immunoglobulins (TIG) in whey and plasma from cow colostrum/milk or calf blood samples were estimated by ELISA. Cows that calved in the summer exhibited notably reduced levels (P < 0.05) of IgG, milk, and plasma IGF1, along with lower calf body weights, in comparison to those calving in the winter season. Furthermore, the summer months saw significant increases (P < 0.05) in plasma and milk cortisol levels, as well as total somatic cell counts (SCC) in both colostrum and milk samples. Maximum beneficial effect was observed in T3 group. Results indicate that injections to peripartum cows could be an important strategy for improving colostrum quality and calf health during the summer seasons.

Repeated injection of multivitamins and multiminerals during the transition period enhances immune response by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress in cows and their calves.

Periparturient dairy cows undergo major physiological and metabolic changes as well as immunosuppression, associated with decrease in plasma concentrations of various minerals and vitamins. The present study was conducted to investigate effects of repeated injections of vitamins and minerals on oxidative stress, innate and adaptive immune response in periparturient dairy cows and their offspring. Experiment was carried out on 24 peripartum Karan-Fries cows, randomly divided into four groups (n=6): control, Multi-mineral (MM), Multi-vitamin (MV) and Multi-minerals and Multi-vitamin (MMMV). Five ml of MM (Zinc 40 mg/ml, Manganese 10 mg/ml, Copper 15 mg/ml, Selenium 5 mg/ml) and five ml of MV (Vitamin E 5 mg/ml, Vitamin A 1000 IU/ml, B-Complex 5 mg/ml, and Vitamin D3 500 IU/ml) were injected intramuscularly (IM) to the MM and MV groups. MMMV group cows were injected with both. In all treatment groups, injections and blood sampling were carried out on 30th, 15th, 7th days before and after expected date of parturition and at calving. In calves, blood was collected at calving and on 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 30 and 45 days post-calving. Colostrum/milk were collected at calving and at days 2, 4, and 8 post-calving. A lower percentage of total neutrophils and immature neutrophils, higher percentage of lymphocytes together with increased phagocytic activity of neutrophils and proliferative capacity of lymphocytes found in blood of MMMV cows/calves. Lower relative mRNA expression of TLRs and CXCRs and higher mRNA expression of GR-α, CD62L, CD11b, CD25 and CD44 found in blood neutrophils of MMMV groups. Total antioxidant capacity was higher, activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), TBARS levels were lower in the blood plasma of treated cows/calves. In both cows/calves, plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, IFN-γ and TNF-α) increased, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) decreased in MMMV groups. Total immunoglobulins increased in colostrum/milk of MMMV injected cows and plasma of their calves. Results indicate that repeated injections of multivitamins and multiminerals to peripartum dairy cows could be a major strategy to improve immune response and decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress in transition dairy cows and their calves.

Alleviation of heat stress by Chlorophytum borivilianum: impact on stress markers, antioxidant, and immune status in crossbred cows.

Eighteen crossbred Karan Fries (KF) cows in mid-lactation (av. 130 days) were selected from the livestock herd of the institute. The treatment for the experimental cows was as follows: no supplement (control), a low dose of Chlorophytum borivilianum (CB) at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg BW/day (T1, n = 6), and a high dose of CB at a dose rate of 80 mg/kg BW/day (T2, n = 6) for a period of 90 days in hot-humid season. Physiological responses like respiration rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded in the morning (8.00 A.M.) and afternoon (2.30 P.M.) at weekly intervals. The expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in PBMCs, the plasma level of antioxidants (SOD, catalase, TBARS, and TAC), hormones (cortisol, prolactin), and energy metabolites (glucose, NEFA, urea, and creatinine) were determined. Dry and wet bulb temperatures and minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded, and the THI was calculated. The values of PR and RT were decreased (p < 0.01) in the T2 group in comparison to T1. Plasma glucose level was lower, and NEFA, urea, and creatinine level were higher (p < 0.01) in the control group as compared to T2 and T1 groups, respectively. Plasma cortisol and prolactin levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the control group and were lower in T1 and T2 groups. Feeding of CB in high dose decreased (p < 0.01) plasma SOD, catalase, TBARS, and improved TAC levels in T2 over the T1 group. The dietary supplementation of CB at a dose rate of 80 mg/kg BW/day was more effective in lowering the stress level and augments the immunity by downregulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. Therefore, dietary CB supplementation could be used as an effective heat stress ameliorator in dairy cows.