Plasma prostaglandin and cytokine concentrations in periparturient Holstein cows fed diets enriched in saturated or trans fatty acids

After parturition, immune functions such as lymphocyte response to mitogens and production of antibodies are depressed in dairy cows. Dietary regimens that improve the immune function of dairy cows after calving may improve uterine health and lead to earlier breeding after parturition. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of feeding a calcium salt of trans isomers of fatty acids (tFA) to periparturient Holstein cows on plasma biomarkers of inflammation. Dietary treatments were initiated approximately 28 d before expected calving date and continued through d 21 postpartum. Prepartum and postpartum diets were formulated to be isolipidic, containing 1.5% saturated fats (n = 15) or 1.8% tFA ( n = 15). Multiparous cows were heavier at calving (+32%) and produced more milk (+17%) than primiparous cows. Periparturient tFA supplementation increased plasma PGF(2 alpha) metabolite concentration in multiparous cows, but not in primiparous cows. Concentrations of prostaglandin E-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-4 in plasma did not differ between diets and parities. Results raise the possibility that peripartum tFA supplementation may affect uterine health and reproductive efficiency of early lactation dairy cows through alteration of peripheral PGF(2 alpha) concentration.