Short communication: Effects of an immunomodulatory feed additive on phagocytic capacity of neutrophils and relative gene expression in circulating white blood cells of transition Holstein cows

High-producing dairy cows typically experience immunosuppression with dysregulated neutrophil function (e.g., compromised phagocytosis) during the transition period (3 wk before to 3 wk after parturition), which is causally associated with increased risk of infections. Enhanced neutrophil immune competence has significant bearing with the wellbeing of transition dairy cattle. In the current study, we investigated the effect of OmniGen-AF (OG; Phibro Animal Health, Quincy, IL) and its dose in modulation of neutrophil function of transition cows. Forty-eight multiparous cows were stratified by parity, somatic cell count, and expected calving date and randomly assigned to 3 treatments: OG fed at 0 g/head per day (CON), 60 g/head per day (0060; recommended dose), and 90 g/head per day (OG90; 1.5x recommended dose). The OG was added from dry off (61.8 1.69 d before parturition) to 28 d in milk (DIM), and removed from all treatment groups at 29 to 35 DIM (the last week of the experimental period). Neutrophil phagocytic ability against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was improved and tended to be improved, respectively, by OG from d 28 before parturition to 28 DIM. Cows in OG60 had higher neutrophil phagocytic ability against S. aureus and E. coli compared with CON cows from d 28 before parturition to 28 DIM. Neutrophil phagocytosis of S. aureus and E. coli was higher and tended to be higher for OG60 compared with CON on 35 DIM. The relative gene expression of CXCL8 and SELL were upregulated and tended to be upregulated by 00 from 60 d before parturition to 28 DIM; this was due to cows in OG60 having greater SELL and CXCL8 gene expression than CON. Expression of SELL in circulating white blood cells of OG60-treated cows was greater than OG90 and the relative expression of CXCL8 gene tended to be greater for OG60 compared with CON on 35 DIM. In conclusion, feeding OG at the recommended dose of 60 g/head per day from dry off was effective in maintaining peripheral blood neutrophil function in transition dairy cows, and it is not necessary to feed OG beyond the recommended dose.