Exploring novel strategies to prevent endotoxin-related diseases in periparturient dairy cows

Thirty two pregnant Holstein dairy cows were assigned to 4 treatment groups 2 weeks before the expected day of parturition. Cows were administered orally or intravenously, twice per week, for 3 consecutive weeks starting 2 weeks before parturition saline, or saline containing LPS from Escherichia coli 0111:B4. The amount of LPS administered each week was 0.01, 0.05, or 0.1 mug/kg BW. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein twice per week for 3 consecutive weeks 2 wk before and 1 wk after calving as well as once per week on wk 2, 3, 4 after calving. Plasma serum Amyloid A, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, haptoglobin, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, cortisol, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxy butyric acid, glucose, lactate, insulin cholesterol, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper were measured. Taken together results of this study indicate that repeated oral administration of LPS during peripartum improved immune status and prevented clinical and metabolite disturbances typically observed in dairy cows around parturition. On the other hand, intravenous infusion of LPS increased incidence of metabolic and infectious diseases in periparturient dairy cows.