What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore the function of IL-15 in metabolic adaptation during the transition period of dairy cows.

March 2, 2026Open Access

Metabolic adaptive role of interleukin-15 in postpartum dairy cows with negative energy balance

Puntos clave

The research aims to explore the function of IL-15 in metabolic adaptation during the transition period of dairy cows.
Examined thirty-four Holstein-Friesian cows during the transition period.
Collected blood samples three weeks before and after calving to measure β-HB, NEFA, IL-15, and GRP78 levels using ELISA.
Classified cows as having normal status or negative energy balance based on β-HB levels.
β-HB levels were significantly higher in negative energy balance cows compared to normal-status cows prepartum and postpartum.
NEFA levels showed a similar trend but did not reach significance post-prepartum and postpartum.
Negative energy balance cows exhibited significantly lower IL-15 expression postpartum, with no significant differences prepartum.
GRP78 expression levels were significantly higher in negative energy balance cows both prepartum and postpartum.

Resumen

Background: Dairy cows exhibit a specific physiological state during the transition from late pregnancy to early lactation. This period is characterized by metabolic and immunological alterations to sustain increased energy needs. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a well-known anabolic cytokine that regulates energy expenditure in muscle tissue. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-15 in the metabolic adaptation of dairy cows during the transition period. Methods: Thirty-four Holstein-Friesian cows were included in this study. Blood samples were collected twice: three weeks prepartum and three weeks postpartum from all animals to estimate β-HB and NEFA concentrations using ELISA, in addition to IL-15 and GRP78 gene expression. Cows are considered to be at normal status or in negative energy balance (NEB) when β-HB is 1.4mmol/L, respectively. Results: The results of our study revealed that β-HB concentrations are higher significantly (p =0.0001) in NEB than in normal-status cows, both prepartum and postpartum. Similar results were observed regarding NEFA concentration in NEB compared with that in normal-status cows. However, this increase in NEFA concentration did not reach a significant level both prepartum (p =0.100) and postpartum (p =0.141). In addition, NEB-fed cows showed significant downregulation of IL-15 expression levels (p =0.003) compared with normal-status cows postpartum. There were no significant (p =0.934) differences in IL-15 expression levels between the two groups in the prepartum study. Furthermore, the results showed that GRP78 expression levels were significantly upregulated in NEB compared to normal-status cows both prepartum (p =0.010) and postpartum (p =0.034). Conclusion: The body may downregulate IL-15 as a cost-saving immune adaptation. These findings indicate the pivotal physiological role of IL-15 in the regulation of postpartum energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation. Furthermore, the results showed that GRP78 expression levels were upregulated in NEB cows both pre- and postpartum as a part of metabolic adaptation in the transition period.

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