Effects of Genetic and Immunological Parameters of Bull Sires on Properties of Innate Immunity in their Daughters

Abstract

The effects of the genetic and immunological parameters of the bull sires on the immunological properties of their daughters in the period of higher frequency milking (from the first lactation to the second lactation) have been studied. The objects of the survey were the cows that are the daughters of the bulls previously evaluated by the genetic and immunological parameters. It is ascertained that the white-blood cell and basophil counts in the cows of bulls, which are described for varying genetic and immunological parameters, decreased by 9.23% (p ≤ 0.05) and 1.54% (p ≤ 0.05), respectively. The monocyte counts increased by 6.23% (p ≤ 0.001) along with a 10.7% (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in the reference level of the neutrophil phagocytic activity in the second lactation compared to the first lactation. With respect to the group of daughters of the bulls described for the stable genetic and immunological parameters, a lower number of significant relationships between the cellular immune variables was observed. This can indicate a less tense state of the immune system of animals in the period of higher frequency milking from the first lactation to the second lactation. In addition, it may be considered as an additional criterion to fix the steady health-related traits into the bull-sire progeny lines.