Effects of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, and cortisol on periparturient antibody response profiles of dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to determine hormone and antibody response profiles from the prepartum period to peak lactation, and evaluate potential immunomodulatory effects of the classic endocrine hormones, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and cortisol. Specifically, 33 Holstein cows were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) and Escherichia coli J5 at weeks −8 and −3 prior to parturition. At parturition (week 0), cows received an additional immunization of OVA. Blood was collected at weeks −8, −3, 0, 3 and 6 relative to parturation and various samples were used to determine plasma hormone concentration, serum immunoglobulin (Ig), and specific antibody response to OVA and E. coli. Colostrum and milk samples were also colleted post-parturation to monitor local immunoglobulin and antibody responses. Results indicated that not all periparturient cows exhibited depressed immune response, and that antibody response to OVA could be used to partition cows into 3 groups recognizing animals with sustained measurable antibody response before and after parturition (Group 1), animals which responded poorly to immunization at parturition (Group 2), and animals which did not respond to immunizations at week −3 or parturition (Group 3). Cows with the highest antibody response to OVA (Group 1) also tended (P ≤ 0.10) to have the highest response to E. coli J5 at parturition and had the lowest incidence of disease, particularly mastitis. Antibody response to OVA measured in milk tended to be higher in Group 1 cows, particularly at week 0 (P ≤ 0.06) compared to cows of Group 3. IGF-I was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in cows of Group 1 than Group 3 at peak lactation (week 6).