PATHOBIOCHEMISTRY OF THE PERIPARTAL IMMUNOSUPPRESSION IN CATTLE AND ITS RESTRICTION BY BETA-CAROTENE, VITAMIN-A AND VITAMIN-E AS WELL AS BYSELENIUM - A REVIEW

In the decrease of the activity of the immune system in periparturient cows a lack of beta-carotene, of the vitamins A and E and of selen, a n increase ill the concentration of cortisol in the blood plasma as we ll as metabolic diseases (fatty liver; ketosis) can play a role. The i mmunosuppression manifests itself in the form of a decrease in chemota xis and of the bactericidal activity of neutrophils as well as in a re duction of the mitogenic response of lymphocytes, when incubated with mitogens. There is an increased incidence of retentio secundinarum, of metritis and of mastitis. By arl intake of 1000 I.U. of vitamin E and of 3 mg Se for each cow and day during the dry period and by an intak e of 1000 I.U. of vitamin E and of 6 mg Se after. parturition the degr ee of immunosuppression is lowered. Also the injection of 3000 I.U. of vitamin E and of 50 mg Se on the 10(th) day and of 3000 I.U. on the 5 (th) clay before parturition is effective. The supply of beta-carotene and of vitamin A is of importance.