Effects of active egg white product/ Clostridium butyricum Miyairi 588 additive on peripheral leukocyte populations in periparturient dairy cows.

The leukocyte populations of periparturient dairy cows were analyzed after administration of active egg white/Clostridium butyricum Miyairi additive. Sixty-eight Holstein milking cows were divided into 3 groups. Group A was administered active egg white product (AEWP)/Clostridium butyricum Miyairi 588 (Miyairi 588) additive (n=23). Group B was administered Miyairi 588 only (n=23), and Group C was the control group (n=22). The challenged groups were administered 100 g of AEWP + Miyairi 588, or Miyairi 588 alone, daily for 60 days from 1 month before until 1 month after paturition. Blood samples were collected from all groups three times (1 month before, 1 week after and 1 month after parturition) for analysis of the peripheral leukocyte population. The results showed significantly higher numbers of CD4+ cells in Group A compared with Group C 1 week after paturition. AEWP/Miyairi 588 additive may enhance the number of CD4+ T cells in periparturient dairy cows.