O'Driscoll K K M, Schutz M M, Lossie A C, Eicher S D
Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland.
J Dairy Sci. 2009 Sep;92(9):4249-61. doi: 10.3168/jds.2008-1906.
This study evaluated the effect of 2 dairy cow housing systems on cow locomotion, immune status, and expression of genes associated with lameness during the dry and periparturient periods. Cows were assigned to freestall housing with either rubber (RUB; n = 13) or concrete (CON; n = 14) at the feed-bunk and alley immediately after their first calving, and managed on this system during all subsequent lactations. At dry off, cows were moved to a straw bedded-pack dry cow pen, and remained there until about 2 d before subsequent calving. To investigate whether greater exposure to RUB or CON increased the differences between cows on each treatment, cows at the end of either their first (n = 16) or second (n = 11) lactations were included in the experiment. Locomotion scores and blood samples were obtained at -60 (beginning of the dry period), -30, 0 (after calving), +10 and +18 d relative to calving. Leukocyte counts were obtained by using an automated cell counter. Phagocytic activity, and cells positive for CD14 and CD18 expression were measured by flow cytometry using labeled microbeads and antibodies. Expression of tachikinin 1(TAC1), histamine receptor 1 (H1), and metalloproteinase (MMP)13 in blood leukocytes was estimated using quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment effects were determined using a repeated measures model. Provision of rubber flooring did not improve dairy cow locomotion during the subsequent study period. However, time relative to calving had an effect on locomotion score and speed, which were worst on d 0, probably because of the discomfort associated with calving. An interaction occurred between treatment and time for neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. The RUB cows had greater neutrophil and lesser lymphocyte numbers postpartum than CON. These cows also had more cells positive for CD14 postpartum compared with prepartum. Moreover, RUB cows showed upregulation of MMP13 and TAC1 compared with CON. These genes are associated with lameness and pain detection respectively. Greater neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and CD14 expression are associated with physiological stress or with activated immunity. Rubber flooring is associated with an increase in activity and standing. This may have resulted in indications of physiological stress and upregulation of genes associated with lameness and pain for RUB cows. However, this study did not take into account the long-term effects of concrete or rubber flooring; for instance, occurrence of lameness or survivability within the herd.
本研究评估了两种奶牛饲养系统对干奶期和围产期奶牛运动、免疫状态以及与跛行相关基因表达的影响。奶牛在首次产犊后立即被分配到饲料槽和通道分别铺有橡胶（RUB；n = 13）或混凝土（CON；n = 14）的自由栏舍中，并在随后的所有泌乳期都采用该系统饲养。干奶时，奶牛被转移到铺有稻草的干奶牛舍，一直待到下次产犊前约2天。为了研究更多接触RUB或CON是否会增加各处理组奶牛之间的差异，首次（n = 16）或第二次（n = 11）泌乳期末的奶牛被纳入实验。在相对于产犊的 -60天（干奶期开始）、 -30天、0天（产犊后）、 +10天和 +18天获取运动评分和血样。使用自动细胞计数器进行白细胞计数。通过使用标记微珠和抗体的流式细胞术测量吞噬活性以及CD14和CD18表达阳性的细胞。使用定量实时PCR估计血白细胞中速激肽1（TAC1）、组胺受体1（H1）和金属蛋白酶（MMP）13的表达。使用重复测量模型确定处理效果。在随后的研究期间，提供橡胶地板并未改善奶牛的运动情况。然而，相对于产犊的时间对运动评分和速度有影响，在第0天最差，这可能是由于与产犊相关的不适。在中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞计数方面，处理与时间之间存在交互作用。产后，RUB组奶牛的中性粒细胞数量多于CON组奶牛，淋巴细胞数量少于CON组奶牛。与产前相比，这些奶牛产后CD14表达阳性的细胞也更多。此外，与CON组相比，RUB组奶牛的MMP13和TAC1表达上调。这些基因分别与跛行和疼痛检测相关。较高的中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比率以及CD14表达与生理应激或激活的免疫相关。橡胶地板与活动增加和站立有关。这可能导致RUB组奶牛出现生理应激迹象以及与跛行和疼痛相关基因的上调。然而，本研究未考虑混凝土或橡胶地板的长期影响；例如，牛群中跛行的发生或生存能力。
