Suppression of mitogenic response of bovine lymphocytes during experimental ketosis in calves.

Experimental ketosis was induced by feeding calves a diet containing 1,3 butanediol for 9 or 10 days. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated during clinical ketosis. The mitogenic response of the lymphocytes collected during ketosis was significantly (P less than 0.01) suppressed, and the suppression persisted for 2 weeks. During ketosis, all calves fed a 1,3 butanediol diet had clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection. Possible relationships between the suppressed function of lymphocytes, the increased concentration of 1,3 butanediol, and the increased susceptibility of the calves to infections during ketosis were considered.