Immunity and Inflammation in Transition Cows

Abstract

Inflammation is an ancient, broadly-conserved set of non-specific responses to infection that contribute to the immune system’s ability to clear invading pathogens. However, inflammation is a double-edged sword, and there is growing recognition of the harmful effects of excessive or chronic inflammation for the animal, especially with respect to its metabolic function. Activation of inflammatory pathways is very common among periparturient dairy cows, likely driven by a combination of pathogen challenges, calving-associated tissue damage, endotoxin exposure, and lipid-mediated oxidative stress. Recent evidence suggests that the resulting inflammation may promote metabolic disorders through decreases in feed intake and maladaptive changes in liver metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Treatments that successfully prevent the causes of inflammation and/or directly inhibit inflammatory signaling cascades hold promise for improving the health and productivity of dairy cows in early lactation.