The changes in lymphocyte transformation rate and proportion of E-rosette forming cells (ERFC), in addition with serum concentration of IgG and cortisol were examined on dairy cows in the perinatal period. The cows were bled at the various stages of pregnancy, parturition and post-parturient period. Also in calves, the lymphocyte transformation rate and proportion of ERFC were examined on the blood samples collected at weekly interval from birth to 5 weeks of age. The blastogenic response of lymphocytes to concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen decreased beginning from the 3rd trimester and reached a minimum at parturition. The proportion of ERFC and serum IgG concentration also decreased with parturition. The high serum cortisol level at parturition may influence lymphocyte activity in cows. In neonatal calves, the number of ERFC and responsiveness of peripheral lymphocytes to mitogen corresponded to adult level immediately after birth.
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Hiroshi Ishikawa (1987) studied this question.