Cold Stress Modulates the Phenotype of Lymphocyte Subsets and the Function of Blood Phagocytes in Goats
Cold Stress Modulates the Phenotype of Lymphocyte Subsets and the Function of Blood Phagocytes in Goats
Mohammed Ali Al-Sukruwah, Mohammed Ali Al Hejji, Baraa Falemban, Jamal Hussen*
ABSTRACT
The accelerated climate change, resulting in sudden fluctuations in ambient temperatures, is one of the most important challenges for animal health and production worldwide. Few studies focused on the impact of cold stress on the immune response of goats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of changes in ambient temperature (normal versus cold temperatures) on the distribution of lymphocyte subsets in goat blood and the antimicrobial activity of blood phagocytes. Composition of lymphocyte was analyzed by using flow cytometry and antibody staining. In addition, the ability of neutrophils and monocytes to engulf S. aureus was investigated ex vivo. The drop in ambient temperature was associated with a decrease in the percentage and absolute count of T helper cells with increased frequency of cytotoxic T cells, indicating a negative impact of cold stress on the cell-mediated immunity in goats. This was also supported by the cold-stress-induced decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio as well as the observed decrease in CD44 expression on CD8+ T cells. In addition, the reduced capacity of both phagocytic cells after ambient temperature drop indicates reduced antimicrobial functionality of these innate immune cells. Collectively, the results indicate a compromising effect of ambient temperature drop on the adaptive and innate immune cells in goats. Further studies are required to identify the mechanisms mediating the observed changes in immune cell phenotype and function in goats.
Keywords | Goats, Cold stress, Immune response, Lymphocyte subsets, Phagocytosis
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May 2025
Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci., Vol. 13, Iss. 5,
