- Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali - Institute of Zootechnics
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Via Emilia Parmense 84,
29122 Piacenza
Italy - +390523599278
- 2017-present Chairmen of the Management Board of Cerzoo (Research Centre of Animal Husbandry)2015-present Associate P... more2017-present Chairmen of the Management Board of Cerzoo (Research Centre of Animal Husbandry)2015-present Associate Professor in Animal Sciences1993-2014 Assistant Professor in the Institute of Zootechnic of UNICATT.1989-1992 Ph-D on Molecular Biotechnology at UNICATT1985 Qualification of Agronomist1984 Degree in Agricultural Science at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UNICATT) of Piacenza (grade 110/110 cum laude and award as the best graduate of the year).Stages as Visiting Scientist at:1992 I.N.R.A. (Rennes, France)edit
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Fatty acids are known for their regulatory role in inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study investigated 38 calves born from dams, abomasally supplemented with coconut oil, essential fatty acids (EFA), conjugated linoleic acid... more
Fatty acids are known for their regulatory role in inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study investigated 38 calves born from dams, abomasally supplemented with coconut oil, essential fatty acids (EFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or EFA + CLA, according to immunological traits and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status for the first 5 days of life. On day 2 of life, plasma total bilirubin, cholesterol, interleukin 1-β and ferric ion reducing anti-oxygen power (FRAP) were lower in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation, and FRAP additionally on day 4. On day 3, the concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites were higher in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation and additionally on day 5 together of retinol. Total leucocyte counts were decreased in the EFA group compared to the CLA group on day 5. Lymphocyte proportions decreased from day 1 to 5 only in the EFA + CLA group. On day 2, plasma total protein was higher in CLA and EFA + CLA t...
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We evaluated the effect of consuming endophyte-infected fescue during late pregnancy on parameters of mammary development in Holstein cows. Cows (n = 16) were fed 10% of their ration as tall fescue seed that was free from (CON) or... more
We evaluated the effect of consuming endophyte-infected fescue during late pregnancy on parameters of mammary development in Holstein cows. Cows (n = 16) were fed 10% of their ration as tall fescue seed that was free from (CON) or infected with endophyte (INF) from 90 d before expected calving until 10 d of lactation. Mammary tissue was biopsied during dry period ( 1232 d) and early lactation (+10 d). The percentage of tissue area that was occupied by epithelium, stroma and lumina was quantified. Epithelial proliferation was assessed by nuclear expression of the Ki67 antigen, detected by immunohistochemistry. Staining for putative mammary stem cell markers, nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 2 (NR5A2), fibronectin type III domain containing 3B (FNDC3B) and musashi1 (MSI1), was evaluated and expressed as a percentage (% DAB pixels out of DAB plus hematoxylin pixels). Epithelial content of mammary tissue did not differ between CON and INF cows, nor did stromal and luminal areas differ between treatments in dry cows (P > 0.05). However, in lactating cows, tissue areas reflected greater milk yield in CON than INF cows (luminal area in CON > INF; stromal area in INF > CON; P < 0.05). Proliferation indices did not differ between mammary epithelia of CON and INF cows (P > 0.05). Similarly, nuclear staining of NR5A2, FNDC3B and MSI1 did not differ in INF vs. CON. However, there were differences (P < 0.05) in staining of all 3 markers between dry period and lactation ( 1232 d vs. +10 d). FNDC3B staining was greater during early lactation than the dry period (P < 0.001) and cytoplasmic staining of myoepithelial cells was observed during lactation. During early lactation, FNDC3B (r = 0.86; P = 0.13) staining tended to correlate with milk yield. Data indicate that fescue toxicity did not alter cellular composition of mammary tissue, epithelial proliferation rate, or expression of mammary stem cell markers. Immediate effects of fescue toxicosis on milk yield are likely mediated by influences on mammary differentiation and secretory activity
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Background: In a prior experiment, treatment of goats with the putative PPARγ agonist 2,4-thiazolidinedione (2,4-TZD) did not affect milk fat or expression of milk-fat related genes. The lack of response was possibly due to deficiency of... more
Background: In a prior experiment, treatment of goats with the putative PPARγ agonist 2,4-thiazolidinedione (2,4-TZD) did not affect milk fat or expression of milk-fat related genes. The lack of response was possibly due to deficiency of vitamin A and/or a poor body condition of the animals. In the present experiment, we tested the hypothesis that PPARγ activation affects milk fat synthesis in goats with a good body condition and receiving adequate levels of vitamin A. Methods: Lactating goats receiving a diet that met NRC requirements, including vitamin A, were injected with 8 mg/kg BW of 2,4-TZD (n = 6) or saline (n = 6; CTR) daily for 26 days. Blood metabolic profiling and milk yield and components were measured including fatty acid profile. Expression of genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism was measured in adipose tissue and in mammary epithelial cells (MEC). Size of adipocytes was assessed by histological analysis. Results: NEFA, BHBA, and fatty acids available in plas...
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Abstract Innate immunity provides an immediate defense against biotic (e.g., bacterial, viral) and abiotic (e.g., traumatic, psychological) stressors, by means of cellular and humoral components (e.g., leukocytes, complement, cytokines,... more
Abstract Innate immunity provides an immediate defense against biotic (e.g., bacterial, viral) and abiotic (e.g., traumatic, psychological) stressors, by means of cellular and humoral components (e.g., leukocytes, complement, cytokines, and acute-phase proteins or APPs). Blood changes of these parameters are used to monitor the clinical and subclinical response of the innate immune system in humans and livestock. The detection of an early response to these stressors can be conducive to disease risk assessment, whereas monitoring the same or similar parameters after disease occurrence can be the foundation of effective prognostic systems. These tenets have been extensively validated in human and animal models. In humans, cytokines, APPs, and leukocyte responses have been characterized as predictive and/or prognostic parameters in a wide range of diseases (cold or flu syndromes, heat stress, spondyloarthritis, melanoma, urological cancers, acute kidney injury, periodontitis, and psoriasis, to name a few). Also, a diagnostic and prognostic potential can be envisaged for established parameters of immunosuppression in humans and animals. Among these, the plasma concentration of widespread opportunistic viruses (Anelloviridae and similar viruses) can be actually of some importance. In cattle, the most studied model is the high yielding dairy cow in the periparturient period. These animals often show a typical inflammatory condition after calving, frequently in the absence of clinical symptoms. An important role is attributed to the so-called negative APP (e.g., albumin, lipoproteins, paraoxonase, retinol-binding protein), the syntheses of which in the liver are reduced in case of inflammation. The timing and extent of positive and negative APP, and relevant cytokine responses were correlated with disease occurrence, and subsequent culling from the herd. Under the influence of environmental stressors, fundamental parameters of innate immunity in pigs (hemolytic complement, serum bactericidal activity, lysozyme, and haptoglobin) were shown to be significantly different from physiological reference values prior to, as well as following disease outbreaks sustained by opportunistic microbial agents. Also, the usual reference values could be found again in the same pigs after major improvements of the housing conditions. The mentioned innate immune responses indicate poor homeostatic regulation, underlying a lack of adequate control over the inflammatory response in tissues and organs.
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Estimation of individual intakes in dairy cows would be beneficial to select animals according to efficiency of milk production. The n-alkanes technique has been used to estimate intake by dairy cows in free stall barns, limiting faecal... more
Estimation of individual intakes in dairy cows would be beneficial to select animals according to efficiency of milk production. The n-alkanes technique has been used to estimate intake by dairy cows in free stall barns, limiting faecal samples to one or two per day, but diurnal variation in the ratio of dosed to natural alkanes in faeces represents a source of error. We aimed to adapt this technique to estimate feed intake on a large number of lactating dairy cows housed on commercial dairy farms. Using a change-over design, six lactating cows fed a TMR diet were given a dose of 0.5 g/day of C32 n-alkane administered once a day as a drench (DRE) or top fed (TP). Feed offered and refused were weighed daily. After the lead-in phases, faeces were collected at 0700 hours, 1400 hours and 1900 hours on the last 5 days of each dosing period. Dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated from C31, C33 and C32 concentrations in feeds and in faeces for each dosing system and sampling time. DMI estim...
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Increased disease rates are commonly reported among high-yielding dairy cows in the so-called transition period, extending from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving. This period is characterized by the occurrence of a systemic... more
Increased disease rates are commonly reported among high-yielding dairy cows in the so-called transition period, extending from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving. This period is characterized by the occurrence of a systemic inflammatory response in terms of both positive and negative acute phase proteins, with no signs of microbial infections. To determine the extent and the seriousness of the above inflammatory response, the authors have devised the Liver Functionality Index (LFI), which defines the above condition on the basis of the time-course of albumin, cholesterol and total bilirubin (direct or indirect indices of negative acute phase response) during the first month of lactation. In this respect, low LFI values are associated to a high inflammatory response and vice versa. The relationship between LFI and plasma interleukin IL-6 levels from day -28 to day +28 with respect to calving was investigated in 12 periparturient dairy cows showing the highest and lowest LFI values, respectively (6 cows each), within a cohort of 54 high-yielding dairy cows inside two experimental farms. As expected, low LFI cows experienced many more disease cases (100 vs 33 percent of cows had at least one affection) and drug treatments till day +28; their dry matter intake and milk yield were also lower (P<0.07). IL-6 concentrations were always higher in low LFI cows (P<0.06 from day +10 onwards; P<0.05 on day +21). IL-6 levels were lowest at calving in both groups, but the subsequent peak on day +3 was much higher in low LFI subjects (P<0.05). TNF-alpha values showed no significant differences between the two groups; these could be clearly recognized instead because of high versus low serum lysozyme concentrations in high and low LFI cows, respectively (p< 0.05). Our study confirms that disease cases of periparturient, high-yielding dairy cows are correlated with signs of systemic inflammation, characterized by a disregulated IL-6 response. This starts in the dry period and proceeds at much higher levels after calving
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The peripartal period is characterized by marked changes in inflammatory status that are functionally related with impaired immune and metabolic responses in the cow. We examined blood metabolites and expression of genes related to... more
The peripartal period is characterized by marked changes in inflammatory status that are functionally related with impaired immune and metabolic responses in the cow. We examined blood metabolites and expression of genes related to inflammation and ER stress in cows assigned (6/diet) to a control (high-straw, CON; NEL = 1.34 Mcal/kg) or moderate-energy (OVE; NEL = 1.62 Mcal/kg) diet during the entire dry period. All cows were fed a common lactation diet (NEL = 1.69 Mcal/ kg) postpartum. Blood was collected on d (\ub13) 1214, 125, 122, 121, 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 d relative to parturition. A percutaneous liver tissue biopsy was harvested at 1214, 7, 14, and 30 d relative to parturition for transcript profiling via quantitative PCR. Estimated prepartal energy balance (EBAL) OVE was greater (P < 0.05) and averaged 159% of requirements compared with 102% in CON. However, EBAL during the first week postpartum was lower in OVE (83% vs. 89% of requirements). After parturition the concentration of ceruloplasmin, creatinine, bilirubin and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) was greater (Diet 7 Time; P < 0.05) in OVE. Around calving the expression of ER and oxidative stress indicator genes XBP1, PERK, GRP94 and HSP40 was lower in OVE than CON but TRB3, HSPA1A, HSPA1B and CREB3L3 had greater (Diet 7 Time; P < 0.05) expression in OVE. Expression postpartum of the inflammatory genes NFKB1, RELA, CHUK, MYD88, TNF, SAA3, and PTX3 increased (Diet 7 Time; P < 0.05) in OVE. Genes associated with cell growth (mTOR, RPTOR, AKT3, TP53) also had greater (Diet 7 Time; P < 0.05) expression in OVE after parturition. Overall, results indicated that negative EBAL induced by prepartal OVE was associated with hepatic pro-inflammatory and pro-stress upregulation
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Riassunto Riduzione dello stress da cambio di allevamento in manze gravide mediante integrazione della dieta – Ventisei manze gravide trasferite in un nuovo allevamento sono state divise in 2 gruppi omogenei. Al gruppo trattato è stata... more
Riassunto Riduzione dello stress da cambio di allevamento in manze gravide mediante integrazione della dieta – Ventisei manze gravide trasferite in un nuovo allevamento sono state divise in 2 gruppi omogenei. Al gruppo trattato è stata somministrata, per 32 giorni, una miscela di nutrienti rumino-protetti con attività immunomodulatrice (vitamine A, E, C, arginina, metionina, taurina, colina, Cr, Cu, Zn). Il trasporto ha determinato la classica risposta allo stress, con attivazione dell’asse ipotalamoipofisi-surrene (aumento ematico di NEFA, βOHB, bilirubina, Na, K, Cl) in entrambi i gruppi. In seguito all’uso dell’integratore è stata osservata una minor incidenza di fatti infiammatori (come denotano nel trattato i valori più bassi di CuCp e Hapt, e quelli più alti di Zn e Ca) oltre ad una maggiore concentrazione ematica di vitamine A ed E. Questi risultati paiono indicare l’efficacia di un’integrazione immunomodulatrice nel miglioramento della risposta adattativa di animali sottopos...
Stress in livestock reduces productivity and is a welfare concern. At a physiological level, stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory responses and increased levels of harmful reactive oxygen species. Biomarkers that are... more
Stress in livestock reduces productivity and is a welfare concern. At a physiological level, stress is associated with the activation of inflammatory responses and increased levels of harmful reactive oxygen species. Biomarkers that are indicative of stress could facilitate the identification of more stress-resilient animals. We examined twenty-one metabolic, immune response, and liver function biomarkers that have been associated with stress in 416 Italian Simmental and 436 Italian Holstein cows which were genotyped for 150K SNPs. Single-SNP and haplotype-based genome-wide association studies were carried out to assess whether the variation in the levels in these biomarkers is under genetic control and to identify the genomic loci involved. Significant associations were found for the plasma levels of ceruloplasmin (Bos taurus chromosome 1—BTA1), paraoxonase (BTA4) and γ-glutamyl transferase (BTA17) in the individual breed analysis that coincided with the position of the genes codin...
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Some pasture species are rich in phytochemicals, able to improve milk yield and quality and to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock farming. The phytochemicals interact with the different gene networks within the animal, such as... more
Some pasture species are rich in phytochemicals, able to improve milk yield and quality and to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock farming. The phytochemicals interact with the different gene networks within the animal, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), but their overall impact on animal health remains to be fully understood. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of pasture Legumes and non-leguminous Forbs containing high bioactive compounds on metabolism and activity of the liver, antioxidant response, kidney function, and inflammation of dairy cows using a large array of blood parameters associated with metabolism and the innate immune system. For this purpose, 26 parameters and the concentration of certain bioactive compounds were assessed in blood plasma, collected from the Jersey cows grazing either Grass, Legume, or Forb-based pastures. In addition, serum collected from all the cows was utilized to detect the changes in NRF...
The transition period of dairy cattle is characterized by a number of metabolic, endocrine, physiologic, and immune adaptations, including the occurrence of negative energy balance, hypocalcemia, liver dysfunction, overt systemic... more
The transition period of dairy cattle is characterized by a number of metabolic, endocrine, physiologic, and immune adaptations, including the occurrence of negative energy balance, hypocalcemia, liver dysfunction, overt systemic inflammatory response, and oxidative stress status. The degree and length of time during which these systems remain out of balance could render cows more susceptible to disease, poor reproductive outcomes, and less efficient for milk production and quality. Studies on both monogastrics and ruminants have reported the health benefits of nutraceuticals (e.g. probiotics, prebiotics, dietary lipids, functional peptides, phytoextracts) beyond nutritional value, interacting at different levels of the animal’s physiology. From a physiological standpoint, it seems unrealistic to disregard any systemic inflammatory processes. However, an alternate approach is to modulate the inflammatory process per se and to resolve the systemic response as quickly as possible.To t...
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Low fertility and health are a major concern for dairy farms. In the last decades fertility decreased together with the increase of milk yield, but milk yield does not seem the main cause, since not always the most productive cows are the... more
Low fertility and health are a major concern for dairy farms. In the last decades fertility decreased together with the increase of milk yield, but milk yield does not seem the main cause, since not always the most productive cows are the less fertile. Recently a strong negative relationship among inflammation in transition, milk yield and fertility has been observed. Surprisingly, cows with the highest milk yield showed a better energy balance and fertility, but the lower inflammatory status. Despite the results from CLA -based experiments are still \u201cin progress\u201d, CLA supplementation in late pregnancy/early lactation of dairy cows exerts positive effects on reproduction, on inflammatory consequences (lower, likely for the inhibition of NFkB responsible of inflammatory gene expression) and on glucose/energy balance. This suggests to be reasonable a positive relationship between CLA feeding and better fertility through the reduction of inflammation effects and glucose/energy balance improvement
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Although a metabolic profile represents a valid tool utilized in dairy herds to determine abnormalities in blood chemistry related to an increased risk of production diseases, there are no studies on application of Fourier Transform... more
Although a metabolic profile represents a valid tool utilized in dairy herds to determine abnormalities in blood chemistry related to an increased risk of production diseases, there are no studies on application of Fourier Transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy. This study assesses the potential application of FT-MIR to analyze the main blood biochemical parameters included in the metabolic profile of dairy cows. Infrared transmission spectra were acquired for 35 plasma samples (two replicates on each sample) of Italian Friesian dairy cows (14 primiparous and 21 pluriparous), all without clinical events, and at different stages of lactation, although mainly in the transition phase. Each sample was also analyzed independently using accepted reference clinical chemical methods and these results were used as calibrating values to perform predictive models by PLS method using cross validation. Measured blood parameters concentrations were all within the reference ranges reported f...
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To verify the potential relevance of proinflammatory cytokine (PIC) with periparturient health problems and performances, the changes of plasma interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been investigated in 21... more
To verify the potential relevance of proinflammatory cytokine (PIC) with periparturient health problems and performances, the changes of plasma interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been investigated in 21 Holstein-Friesian cows from 35 d before to 28 d after parturition. The overall PIC concentration was higher during late pregnancy compared to the first month of lactation, but showed a high variability among the cows. Therefore, cows were retrospectively divided in 3 groups according to the values of area under the concentration curve of IL- 1β concentrations from -35 d before to the day of parturition and designated as up (UPIL1), intermediate (INIL1) and low (LOIL1) IL-1β group. The concentrations of IL-6 and to some extent the concentrations of albumin and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) were well related to the grouping based on IL-1β concentrations. After calving the UPIL1 cows showed a more severe acute phase reaction (APR), based on the marked increase ...
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Our objective was to examine the effect of overfeeding a moderateenergy diet on performance, visceral depot weights, body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and blood metabolites in dry non-pregnant cows. Fourteen Holstein cows (BCS... more
Our objective was to examine the effect of overfeeding a moderateenergy diet on performance, visceral depot weights, body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and blood metabolites in dry non-pregnant cows. Fourteen Holstein cows (BCS = 3.31 \ub1 0.14) were assigned to treatments in a randomized block design. All cows were fed individually a control diet (CON; NEL = 1.32 Mcal/kg) to meet 100% of NRC requirements for 3 wk, after which half of the cows were assigned to a moderate-energy diet (OVE; NEL = 1.54 Mcal/kg) and half of the cows continued on CON for 6 wk. The OVE diet was fed ad libitum and resulted in cows consuming energy at ~180% of NRC. CON cows were fed to consume only to 100% of NRC. The BW and BCS were measured from wk 123 to 6, while the blood samples were collected before slaughter and several metabolites and hormones were measured. The DMI was recorded from 121 wk through slaughter on a daily basis. The wk before slaughter, OVE cows had greater concentration of BHBA (0.43 vs. 0.22; P &lt; 0.001), cholesterol (3.77 vs. 2.65; P = 0.008) and AST-GOT (78.77 vs. 64.33; P = 0.04); whereas, the concentration of NEFA (0.07 vs. 0.17; P = 0.002) and bilirubin (0.89 vs. 1.5; P = 0.005) was lower in OVE cows. OVE cows had greater (P &lt; 0.001) BW (757.5 vs. 692.5), DMI (kg/d; 17.20 vs. 8.02) and DMI as a percentage of BW (2.20 vs. 1.18); whereas, the BCS (3.4 vs. 3.6) and empty carcass weight (468.43 vs. 525.91) remained unchanged. In OVE cows, weight of the mesenteric (15.49 vs. 8.1; P 64 0.01) and perirenal fat mass (11.17 vs. 3.39; P 64 0.04), and liver (11.4 vs. 7.82; P &lt; 0.001) was greater. Omental fat mass (15.16 vs. 23.41) did not differ. The similar BCS between the 2 diets and the fact that OVE cows had greater internal fat deposition suggests that BCS provided little information on visceral fat mass. Overfeeding energy did not impair insulin sensitivity but seemed to affect hepatic function
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Twelve cows were experimentally infected in two quarters with 1 × 104 cfu Escherichia coli per quarter and six cows were infused with 500 μg endotoxin into two quarters. Six cows infected intramammarily with Esch. coli were treated... more
Twelve cows were experimentally infected in two quarters with 1 × 104 cfu Escherichia coli per quarter and six cows were infused with 500 μg endotoxin into two quarters. Six cows infected intramammarily with Esch. coli were treated intravenously with a bactericidal antibiotic 10 h after infection and subcutaneously 20 h later. Blood and milk samples were collected from all cows at regular time intervals. Milk production decreased more rapidly, but was less pronounced, after endotoxin infusion than during Esch. coli mastitis. The milk production losses in the non-inflamed quarters were negligible in endotoxin mastitis, but were substantial during Esch. coli mastitis, probably due to more pronounced systemic effects. Reticulo-rumen motility was inhibited only during Esch. coli mastitis. Changes in plasma haptoglobin were more pronounced during Esch. coli mastitis, although they occurred sooner during endotoxin mastitis. No changes in plasma activities of enzymes such as lactate dehydr...
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... These effects are responsible for pre-pathological or pathological consequences which reduce welfare ... our experience (Bertoni et al., 2005b), the following standardised conditions seem to ... a lower transcortin... more
... These effects are responsible for pre-pathological or pathological consequences which reduce welfare ... our experience (Bertoni et al., 2005b), the following standardised conditions seem to ... a lower transcortin (corticosteroid-binding globu-lin) synthesis in the liver, if challenged ...
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Interleukin-1/Toll Like Receptors (IL-1R/TLRs) play an important role in the inflammatory responses under a tightl regulation. TIR8, also known as SIGIRR (Single Immunoglobulin IL-1R-Related molecule), is an orphan receptor belonging to... more
Interleukin-1/Toll Like Receptors (IL-1R/TLRs) play an important role in the inflammatory responses under a tightl regulation. TIR8, also known as SIGIRR (Single Immunoglobulin IL-1R-Related molecule), is an orphan receptor belonging to the IL-1R/TLRs super-family, ...
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ABSTRACT Paraoxonase-1 (PON) is an antioxidant enzyme synthesized by liver and mainly associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL). Aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of PON1 activity in plasma (pPON) or bound to HDL... more
ABSTRACT Paraoxonase-1 (PON) is an antioxidant enzyme synthesized by liver and mainly associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL). Aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of PON1 activity in plasma (pPON) or bound to HDL (HDL-PON) in relation to inflammatory conditions and physiological stages. Between -30 to +300 days from calving, 9 cows were monitored for metabolic and inflammatory profiles, milk yield, body condition score and feed intake. Cows were divided in 2 groups based on their response to postpartum inflammatory stimulus (high and low Liver Functionality Index: HI-LFI and LO-LFI). pPON decreased after calving (P&lt;0.05) and was directly correlated with milk yield (r=0.48; P&lt;0.01), albumins and other indirect indexes of negative acute phase proteins (-APP: cholesterol and retinol binding protein). On the contrary, pPON was inversely related with the +APP (haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin) and related indexes (bilirubin, ROM). The correlation between pPON and HDL-PON was low. After calving, the HI-LFI vs LO-LFI group had higher –APP and pPON levels, lower HDL-PON level and displayed better performances. Overall results demonstrated that pPON has a similar behavior in comparison to –APP, confirming previous data. The results suggested that pPON activity could represent an useful marker to assess the severity of postpartum inflammatory phenomena and their consequences.
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SUMMARY–The cortisol is an index proposed to evaluate the stress status in dairy cows, but its interpretation remains puzzling. In particular, the actual basal levels remain difficult to establish, as any common cow/man interactions could... more
SUMMARY–The cortisol is an index proposed to evaluate the stress status in dairy cows, but its interpretation remains puzzling. In particular, the actual basal levels remain difficult to establish, as any common cow/man interactions could raise it. To improve the knowledge about this potential index, cortisol level and some other blood parameters, were monitored in 10 commercial herds, characterized by 'good'and 'less good'welfare status. Using any care to avoid fright during cow capture, 8-10 lactating multiparous cows for each herd ...
Summary To investigate the effects of an inflammatory model (lipopolysaccharides treatment that causes a cytokine release) on energy-protein metabolism and on liver activity, 5 multiparous cows received 2 iv injections of endotoxin (ETX),... more
Summary To investigate the effects of an inflammatory model (lipopolysaccharides treatment that causes a cytokine release) on energy-protein metabolism and on liver activity, 5 multiparous cows received 2 iv injections of endotoxin (ETX), in their 3rd day after calving. Other 5 cows, in analogous conditions, were used as control (CTR). Cows were routinely monitored for feed intake, health status, metabolic profile, BCS, milk yield and liver biopsy (trigly-cerides). Blood was withdrawn more frequently after ETX treatment, for metabolic- ...
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Many production diseases of dairy cows are related to digestive troubles. The rumen subacute acidosis is the most relevant one, albeit not easily recognized. Recent studies suggest that forestomachs can perform regulatory actions at both... more
Many production diseases of dairy cows are related to digestive troubles. The rumen subacute acidosis is the most relevant one, albeit not easily recognized. Recent studies suggest that forestomachs can perform regulatory actions at both regional and systemic levels, since forestomach walls express immune receptors and cytokines, and the rumen liquor is infiltrated by leukocytes. Therefore, the rumen fluid could be conveniently collected for investigating metabolic production diseases. Thus, we investigated the origin of the leukocytes of the rumen fluid and demonstrated that they partly derive from saliva. Next, we carried out a field survey of innate immunity in rumen fluids of 128 cows from 12 dairy farms, along with clinical inspections, assessment of milk yield, rumen pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and major inflammo-metabolic parameters. Significant statistical correlations were found between immune markers in rumen fluids and biochemical parameters. A significant negative cor...
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The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in rosemary plants (Salvia rosmarinus) named carnosic acid during the transition period of dairy cows. From day 1 to 3... more
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in rosemary plants (Salvia rosmarinus) named carnosic acid during the transition period of dairy cows. From day 1 to 3 after calving, 16 multiparous Holstein cows received a daily intravenous infusion of either 500 mL of saline (NaCl 0.9%; Saline; n = 8) or carnosic acid at a rate of 0.3 mg/kg of BW supplied in 500 mL of saline (CA; n = 8). Blood samples were taken at –7, 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition, then analyzed for metabolites related to energy metabolism, muscle mass catabolism, liver function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. CA infusion tended to improve milk performance; however, DMI was unaffected by treatment. At 2 d relative to parturition, CA cows had lower blood concentrations of haptoglobin, paraoxonase, FRAP, and NO2– than saline cows. After treatment infusions, haptoglobin remained lower in CA cows than saline at 5 d relative to pa...
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The anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects exerted by Aloe on monogastric mammals suggest it as a potential strategy to address the tremendous metabolic alterations that affect dairy cows during their transition to calving. A... more
The anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects exerted by Aloe on monogastric mammals suggest it as a potential strategy to address the tremendous metabolic alterations that affect dairy cows during their transition to calving. A group of 20 multiparous Italian Holstein dairy cows were housed in freestalls and allocated into two homogeneous groups to receive either 200 g/d of water (CTR) or 200 g/day of Aloe arborescens Mill. whole plant homogenate through a rumen tube (AAM) between −14 and 14 days from calving (DFC). From −14 to 35 DFC, the BCS, and milk yield were measured, and blood samples were collected to assess the hematochemical profile. Data underwent ANOVA testing using a mixed model for repeated measurements, including the treatment and time and their interactions as fixed effects. Compared to CTR cows, AAM cows had a less pronounced BCS loss in early lactation (p < 0.01), indicating less mobilization of body reserves. Compared to CTR cows, AAM cows had a lower ...
