Far-off and close-up feeding levels affect immunological performance in grazing dairy cows during the transition period

Immune function of dairy cows during the transition period was investigated in relation to far-off and close-up feeding levels. Expression profiles for 17 genes from circulating white blood cells revealed effects of time indicating that during the peripartum the transition cow’s immune system counteracts inflammation whereas later it becomes activated to provide protection against post-partum infections. Effects of feeding management pre-calving indicate that it can be an important intervention to ensure immunocompetence at and after calving.