PRODUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN 1BETA AND INTERFERON GAMMA BY BOVINE MAMMARY GLAND LEUKOCYTES STIMULATED BY LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to investigate the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) produced by bovine mammary gland leukocytes following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (5 µg LPS of Escherichia coli in 20 ml of PBS) or PBS (20 ml) as a control. The leukocytes were obtained by mammary gland lavage 1, 2, 3, and 7 days following the stimulation. The concentration levels of these cytokines were analyzed by sandwich ELISA. Eight clinically healthy crossbred heifers (Holstein x Czech Pied) were selected for this study. The heifers were group housed in a tie-stall barn and fed a total mixed diet. Higher average number of leukocytes (P<0.01) was recorded for LPS than for PBS stimulation on day 1. The production of IL-1β increased following the stimulation on day 1. After that gradual decline was detected. The IFN-γ production showed a similar trend. Positive correlation between IL-1β and IFN-γ increased level was found.