Blood lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis, Mediterranean lineage): reference intervals and influence of age and reproductive history

Publication date: Available online 29 April 2019Source: Veterinary Immunology and ImmunopathologyAuthor(s): Valeria Martini, Serena Bernardi, Valeria Russo, Jacopo Guccione, Stefano Comazzi, Sante RopertoAbstractThere is an increasing interest toward infectious diseases and mechanisms of immune response of water buffaloes, mainly because of the growing economic impact of this species and of its high-quality milk. However, little is known about the immune system of these animals in physiological conditions.Recently, a wide number of antibodies cross reacting with buffalo antigens has been validated for use in flow cytometry (FC), allowing detailed characterization of the lymphocytic population in this species.The aim of the present study was to describe the lymphocyte subpopulations in a large number of healthy water buffaloes, providing reference intervals (RIs), and to assess whether the composition of blood lymphocyte population significantly varied with age and reproductive history. Our final aim was to lay the ground for future studies evaluating the role of host immune response in water buffaloes.One-hundred-twelve healthy buffaloes from four different herds in the South of Italy were included in the study. All animals had been vaccinated for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Salmonellosis, Colibacillosis and Clostridiosis, and all herds were certified Brucellosis- and Tuberculosis-free. Venous blood collected into EDTA tubes was processed for FC, and the percenta...
Source: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research