Journal article
An assessment of immune and stress responsiveness in Holstein-Friesian cows selected for high and low feed conversion efficiency
JW Aleri, BC Hine, MF Pyman, PD Mansell, WJ Wales, B Mallard, AD Fisher
Animal Production Science | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2017
DOI: 10.1071/AN15406
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the immune and stress responsiveness of cows identified as extremely high and low feed conversion efficiency phenotypes. The study utilised 16 Holstein-Friesian cows in their third to fourth lactation, and identified as having either extremely high (n ≤ 8) or extremely low (n ≤ 8) feed conversion efficiency. A commercial vaccine was used to induce measurable antibody- and cell-mediated adaptive immune responses and assess general immune responsiveness. Stress responsiveness was assessed by measuring changes in plasma cortisol concentrations in response to yarding and handling. No significant differences in antibody- or cell-mediated immune responsive..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The study was funded by a grant from the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. The University of Melbourne (UOM) and DEDJTR technical staff are acknowledged for their valuable assistance in sampling and routine management of the cows used in this study, particularly Bronwyn Stevens, Greg Morris and Leah Marett. We acknowledge the statistical advice from Professor Mark Stevenson (UOM).