Temporal changes in circulating levels of plasma interleukin-8 during peripartum period in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) under subtropical climate

• Published in: Tropical animal health and production 2011-03, Vol.43 (3), p.669-674
• Main Authors: Kumar, Vijay, Kumar, Parveen, Mohan, Krishna, Sarkar, Mihir, Suresh, K. P, Chauhan, M. S, Prakash, B. S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bubalus bubalis; Buffaloes - blood; Female; India; Interleukin-8 - blood; Life Sciences; Microclimate; Murrah buffaloes; Original Research; Peripartum; Peripartum Period - blood; Plasma interleukin-8; Pregnancy; Seasons; Spring; THI; Tropical Climate; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Zoology
• ISSN: 0049-4747; 1573-7438
• DOI: 10.1007/s11250-010-9751-7

The objective of this study was to elucidate the changes in circulating levels of plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8) during peripartum period in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). IL-8 was estimated in blood plasma of healthy peripartum Murrah buffaloes (n = 6) on days ±30, ±15, ±5, ±3, ±1 and 0 pre- and postpartum with respect to the day of parturition (day 0) in each of the two different seasons (hot-humid and spring). The mean microclimate Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) during spring season was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the corresponding THI in hot-humid season. In both the seasons, plasma IL-8 remained lower in prepartum period (≤46.56 ± 14.08 pg/ml during spring and ≤ 73.18 ± 18.56 pg/ml during hot-humid season) than in the postpartum period (≥51.41 ± 13.82 pg/ml during spring and ≥ 84.13 ± 16.97 pg/ml in hot humid season). During spring, the IL-8 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) on days +5 and +15 postpartum in comparison to the IL-8 levels on days −30, −5, and −3 prepartum. During hot-humid season, IL-8 level was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on day +30 as compared to the IL-8 levels on days −30 and −5 prepartum. The correlation between IL-8 and mean microclimate THI was significant (r = 0.25, P < 0.01). From the results, it is concluded that peripartum period in buffaloes is associated with an inflammatory response leading to significantly higher plasma IL-8 during parturition and postpartum period than in the pre-partum period.