The aim of the study was to investigate the cytokine profile of newborn calves that had undergone antenatal and intranatal hypoxia. Three groups of calves took part in the study: healthy (n = 8); those that had undergone antenatal hypoxia (n = 14); those that had undergone intranatal asphyxia (n = 12). Three days after birth, blood samples were taken from these animals to determine the concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) using the enzyme immunoassay. It was found that in calves with antenatal and intranatal hypoxia, the cytokine profile is characterized by an increased level of IL-1β by 14.9-84.4% (P 0.05) and a decreased level of IL-10 produced by type II T-lymphocytes by 18.3-19.8% (P 0.05). At the same time, the amount of INF-γ produced by type I Tlymphocytes in calves with antenatal hypoxia does not change significantly, whereas in calves with intranatal hypoxia this indicator increases by 14.7% (P 0.05). When calculating IL-1β/IL-10, it was noted that in animals that have undergone antenatal and intranatal hypoxia, this indicator significantly exceeds the value of healthy animals. Thus, for the former it is higher by 43.5% (P 0.05), and for the latter by 2.3 times (P 0.05). In turn, the calculation of the INF-γ/IL-10 ratio shows that in calves that have experienced antenatal and intranatal hypoxia, this indicator is higher by 27.2 and 40.8% (P 0.05), respectively. Thus, the study showed that in newborn calves that have experienced hypoxic conditions, the activity of T-cell immunity and proinflammatory cytokine profile prevail, which reflects the severity of the pathological effect.

The objective of our research was to study the features of the colostral immunity formation in the newborns obtained from the cows with different clinical conditions during gestation. The object of the study was Red-Motley cows (n=28) in the third trimester of gestation and the newborn calves obtained from them. Group I – clinically healthy (control, n=8), group II – animals with hepatodystrophy (n=6), group III – animals with a combined course of hepatodystrophy and anemia (n=14). It has been found that in the cows with liver pathology and/or anemia, the colostrum of the first milk yield contains less protein and immunoglobulins by 24.1-25.4% and 11.9-14.2% (P ˂ 0.05), respectively. However, it was noted that in the calves obtained from the cows of group II, the blood serum content of total immunoglobulins after colostrum feeding did not differ from the values of the control group, while in the calves obtained from the cows of group III, the same indicator was lower by 43.0% (P ˂ 0.05). To clarify the reasons for this phenomenon, the Spearman correlation analysis was carried out, which showed that the level of total immunoglobulins in colostrum did not have a significant effect on their amount in the blood serum of calves after colostrum feeding (Rs = 0.40, P ˃ 0.05). In this case, the presence of anemia in calves was of decisive importance (Rs = 0.77, P ˂ 0.05). Thus, the formation of colostral immunity in calves depends not only on the quality of colostrum, but also on the clinical status of the newborn and in particular the presence of a hypoxic and acedotic condition.

The aim of the experiment was to study the effectiveness of vaccination of deep-wall cows with anemia against viral infection against the background of the use of biogenic stimulants and cytokines, their effect on the immune status. The study involved cows (n=25) of red-mottled breed in the third trimester of pregnancy, healthy and diagnosed with anemia. Animals with anemia were treated with a biogenic stimulator based on hydrophilic cryofraction of the spleen (BoHCFS) and its combination with cytokines (BoGM-CSF, BoIFN-α, BoIFN-λ). The drugs were administered intramuscularly three times with an interval of 48 hours. The introduction of the above –mentioned pharmacological agents was carried out 1 week before the re-introduction of the «HIPRABOVIS 4» vaccine, which was used 60 and 30 days before the planned calving date of the cows. It has been established that in animals with anemia, the level of neutrophils capable of phagocytosis remains, but their absorption and digesting ability decreases. They also have a decrease in the activity of the complement system and the number of B-lymphocytes. Later, during pregnancy, the noted negative changes in the immune system not only persist, but also intensify. The use the BoHCFS-based drug enhanced the spontaneous and stimulated NBT test by 41.2 and 13.0%, increased the phagocytic number and index by 11.1 and 10.4%, and the number of T and B lymphocytes by 43 and 70.2%, respectively. All this was reflected in the level of total immunoglobulines and bactericidal activity of blood serum, which increased by 15.4 and 5.1% respectively. As a result, most of the indicators reached the values of healthy animals, but the level of phagocytic activity of neutrophils and lysozyme activity of blood serum was still lower. The combination of BoHCFS with BoGM-CSF, BoIFN-α and BoIFN-λ made it possible to completely neutralize the system and increase the effectiveness of vaccination of deep-bed cows.

Industry development has a technogenic impact on the environment, thereby posing a threat to health and welfare of farm animals. As a result, toxic substances accumulate in soil, water, feed, and have a long period of decomposition. At the same time, changes in the metabolic profile occur in animals, leading to a decrease in their resistance to viral and bacterial infections. The search for new means and methods to stop the development of pathological conditions and create conditions for the resistance of cows to technogenic stress seems to be relevant. In this regard, the purpose was to study the effect of аminoseleferon-B on hematological parameters and protein metabolism of cows with immune deficiency under technogenic load caused by the chemical industry producing mineral fertilizers in Voronezh region. During monitoring soil and water bodies near this object, an excess of the maximum permissible concentrations for heavy metal content was established. The studies were carried out in industrial livestock complex on 20 highly productive dairy cows with a secondary immunodeficiency state, located in the zone of exposure to chemical emissions into the atmosphere. Control and experimental groups of animals were formed. Experimental cows were injected with аminoseleferon-B. It was revealed that the presence of cows in conditions of technogenic impact on the environment leads to decrease in total protein, change in blood fractional composition, which negatively affects physiological processes in the body. Insufficient levels of and -globulin fractions in cow blood indicate inhibition of natural resistance factors. A negative reaction of animal organism associated with exposure to toxins is indicated by significant increase in the level of -globulins in blood. It was found that аminoseleferon-B had a corrective effect on blood morphological parameters and protein metabolism, significantly increasing number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, monocytes, total protein, -globulins, -globulins and reducing content of neutrophils, eosinophils, -globulins to normal levels. Thus, аminoseleferon-B contributed to increase in natural resistance, adaptation to adverse environmental factors and stimulation of metabolic processes in cows.

The doctrine of the normal microflora of the human and animal body is currently in the focus of attention of clinical microbiologists and a wide range of clinical specialists. It is known that the microflora of the vagina depends on many factors of the internal and external environment, therefore, it is now considered to be an ecosystem with a unique set of mechanisms that ensure its resistance to foreign microorganisms and support reproductive health. The aim of the study was to study changes in vaginal microbiocenosis in cows during different periods of pregnancy. The object of the study was clinically healthy cows (n=10) of a redmottled breed (holshitinized), and the subject of the study was cervical–vaginal mucus. On the 150-160, 210-220 and 260-265 days of pregnancy, mucus samples were taken from cows using sterile probe tampons for bacteriological studies. It was found that representatives of the normoflora, as well as conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic microflora were present in the vaginal secretions of animals of all periods of pregnancy. However, the total bacterial contamination of the genital tract in cows in the first half and second half of the third trimester of pregnancy was characterized by its decrease by 29.2 and 33.3%, respectively, relative to the data obtained in the second trimester. It should also be noted that by the second half of the third trimester of pregnancy, there is an increase in obligate normoflora due to lacto- and bifidobacteria by 27.1% and 4 times, respectively, with the predominance of the genus Lactobacillus in quantitative terms. Against this background, the amount of transient microflora decreased by 34.2-57.1% (P0.05).