Effects of acute lying and sleep deprivation on metabolic and inflammatory responses of lactating dairy cows

Dairy cows that are restricted from lying down have a reduced ability to sleep. In other species, sleep loss is key risk factor for disease, mediated by changes in metabolic and inflammatory responses. The cumulative effect of deprivation on cow health unknown. objective was determine the effects responses dairy cows. Data were collected 8 multiparous 4 primiparous lactating (199 ± 44 d milk, 77 30 pregnant; mean standard deviation) enrolled study using crossover design. Each exposed 2 treatments meant induce loss: (1) human disturbance (imposed researchers making noise or physical contact when cow's posture suggested sleep) (2) wooden grid placed pen floor). Cows experienced 24-h baseline period (d −1) followed treatment 0), with 12-d washout between treatments. Baseline periods imposed 2100 2059 h. housed individual pens during acclimation −3 −2), −1, 0. Nonesterified fatty acid glucose concentrations measured at 0300, 0900, 1500, h −1 Proinflammatory cytokine mRNA [tumor necrosis (TNF), interleukin-1B (IL1B), interleukin-6 (IL6)] abundance whole-blood leukocytes, both nonstimulated stimulated lipopolysaccharide, assessed (end baseline) 0 treatment). acids varied time day but not affected day. abundances TNF IL1B cells higher following 24 0) compared −1). Abundance IL6 increased after baseline. contrast, did alter TNF, IL1B, relative levels. These results suggest short generally increases