Volume: 3, 2024
3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A007
Published online: 24 April 2024
ICDSUPL, 3, A007 (2024)
Changes in proliferative monocyte subpopulation in calves’ blood affected by herbs and their blends – ex vivo study
Julia Fabjanowska1*, Edyta Kowalczuk-Vasilev1, Olga Witkowska-Piłaszewicz2, Renata Klebaniuk1
1 Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
* Corresponding author: julia.fabjanowska@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Non-specific immunity in newborn calves involves many aspects, one of the most important of which is the body’s defense mechanism against infection – phagocytosis. It works by incorporating and destroying microorganisms, providing the first line of defense against pathogenic microbial agents in newborn animals. Disorders in this mechanism lead to the absence or impairment of the immune response. The study aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the immune system in calves, particularly focusing on the effects of individual herbs, exhibiting immunomodulatory activity, and their blends on nonspecific immunity mechanisms, particularly in the differentiation of monocyte activity. Material and methods The effect of an extract of single herbs (thyme – Thymus vulgaris L., Echinacea purpurea – Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench., sage – Salvia officinalis L., rosemary – Salvia rosmarinus L. and cinnamon – Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) or their mixtures to assess non-specific immunity by testing monocyte activity of calves ex vivo. Blood samples were collected from 8 newborn healthy calves and the cells were cultured for 4 days to study their effect on the ex vivo immune response. The activity of monocytes isolated from peripheral blood was analyzed using a FACSCanto II flow cytometer and Kaluza 1.5 software (Beckman Coulter, Brea, California, USA). 10,000 cells were collected from each sample. Before multicolor staining, compensation was determined using single positive cells for each color. Results Monocytes represent a heterogeneous population in terms of the degree of differentiation and immunophenotype. The preliminary results showed different levels of monocyte activation depending on the herb used and its concentration (0, 50, and 100 mg/ml). Variations in the proportions of different monocyte subpopulations, such as classical monocytes with a CD14+CD16- phenotype, transitional monocytes with a CD14+CD16+ phenotype, and non-classical monocytes with a CD14-CD16+ phenotype, were noted. Conclusion The study indicates the possibility of non-specific stimulation of the animal’s immune system, which is another beneficial effect of natural immunostimulants. Further research into the use of immunomodulatory herbs and their in vivo efficacy may be a promising next step in the development of nutritional strategies for cattle.
Keywords: monocytes, herbs, immunological stimulation, calves non-specific immunity
How to cite
J. Fabjanowska, E. Kowalczuk-Vasilev, O. Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, R. Klebaniuk, 2024. Changes in proliferative monocyte subpopulation in calves’ blood affected by herbs and their blends – ex vivo study. In: 3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A007