Blood lymphocyte subpopulations, neutrophil phagocytosis and proteinogram during late pregnancy and postpartum in mares.

The study aimed to analyze blood lymphocyte subpopulations, neutrophil phagocytosis, and proteinogram characteristics in mares during late pregnancy and postpartum. The finding signifies a reduction in T-helper and T-cytotoxic lymphocytes in the late stages of gestation, implying an inherent immune depression.

Research Method

The research applied several scientific procedures to gather and analyze data:

• The study focused on peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, neutrophil phagocytosis, and key proteinogram characteristics in mares during the third trimester of pregnancy and post pregnancy.
• Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations were measured, and specifically, T-lymphocyte subsets quantification was performed.
• Flow cytometry, a technique used to measure properties of individual cells, was used for measuring phagocytosis and quantification of the T-lymphocyte subsets.
• The researchers used monoclonal antibodies that are specifically designed for CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD8 cell markers. This played a paramount role in the quantification of T-lymphocyte subsets.
• The count for natural killer cells and B cells was done through mathematical estimation.
• A serum proteinogram was obtained through electrophoresis, which is a method used in laboratories to separate macromolecules based on size.

Research Findings

The experiment produced several notable results:

• There was no significant difference observed between the gestation and postpartum period regarding CD4(+), CD8(+) and NK(+) lymphocyte subsets, CD4:CD8 ratio, and phagocytosis.
• There were lesser cells expressing CD3 and CD2 during gestation as opposed to postpartum.
• During pregnancy, CD19(+) was higher than in the postpartum period.
• There was also a observed decrease in total T cells, T helper cells, and T-cytotoxic cells during pregnancy, when compared with the postpartum period.
• During pregnancy, there was a reduction in the total white blood cell count as compared to the postnatal period. Nonetheless, neutrophil count remained the same during pregnancy and after childbirth.
• The study found no significant difference in the total proteins, albumin, alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(1), beta(2), gamma globulins, and the albumin to globulin ratio.
• Above all, the study concluded that immune depression during gestation is possibly due to a reduction in T-helper and T-cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Overall, the study offers insight into changes in the immune function of mares during late pregnancy and can occur in humans too. This information can aid further research in the same.