The effect of Echinacea purpurea on the immunological function of the mammary gland of cows during the perinatal period

The experiment was conducted on two groups of Black-and-White cows (10 animals per group) during the perinatal period. Cows in the experimental group received a ration with 300 g/d/animal of whole-plant Echinacea purpurea meal for 3 weeks from the 10"' day before the expected calving. Whole Echinacea meal contained 1.26% of a biologically active substance coffeic acid. Milk samples were collected three times a day to determine somatic celi count, and colostrum for determination of the lactoimmunoglobulin (o, p) level. Blood samples from calves and cows were collected to determine the immunoglobulin (a, p\ y) content. Statistically significant differences (P<0.01) were found only in the content of y-immunoglobulins in cows from the experimental group after three weeks of Echinacea administration. Differences in somatic celi count between the groups in successive samplings of milk were not significant (P>0.05).


INTRODUCTION
Echinacea purpurea is used in human medicine for treatment of infections and inflammatory states of different origin and, in recent years, it has also been used as an immuno-stimulating agent.This plant contains biologically active factors such as polyphenols (especially coffeic acid and its derivatives), polysaccharides and alkamides.The mentioned compounds stimulate, each of them separately as well as synergistically, reactions within the immunological system (Wustenberg et al., 1999), revealing immuno-stimulating and antiphlogistic activity (Facino et al., 1995;Bauer, 1996).
The aim of the experiment was to check if supplementing the diet for cows with Echinacea as a natural phyto-immunostimulator, had an antiphlogistic effect, increased the immunity of cows and new-born calves, and decreased the frequency mammary gland inflammation.

MATERIAŁ AND METHODS
The studies were conducted on 20 Black-and-White cows with an average 75% HF share that were in the perinatal period (± 3 weeks before calving).The cows were divided into two groups of 10 animals each, according to analogues concerning calving, somatic celi count, lactation and milk yield.The cows of both groups were fed a grass silage, maize silage and concentrate diet, but the experimental group additionally received 300 g of dry whole-plant Echinacea meal containing 1.26% active substance -cofTeic acid, determined spectro-photometrically.The amount of Echinacea meal was based on the content of active substances so as its ąuantity corresponded to the mean dose used in human medicine to boost immunity.Dry Echinacea meal was given for 3 weeks, beginning from the 10* day before the expected calving.Samples of colostrum and three samples of milk were collected from each cow: one week (I), 3 weeks (II) and 6 weeks after calving (III).At the same time, blood samples were taken from cows and their calves after colostrum feeding on the 5 lh -7 th day after birth.The level of immunoglobulins (a, fi, y) in blood and lactoimmunoglobulins (a, 13) in colostrum were determined according to Angielski (1980).The somatic celi count in milk was determined using a Fossomatic device.
The results were subjected to statistical analysis, using the Statgraphics 6.0 program (2001) for single-factor variance analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the serum of cows, statistically significant differences were found only in the level of immunoglobulins in the samples collected 3 weeks after calving (II).The cows from the experimental group were characterized by a significantly higher immunoglobulin content.No statistically significant differences in immunoglobulin contents were found in the serum of calves from the groups in respect to immunoglobulin content.In the colostrum, differences concerning lactoimmunoglobulin (a, B) levels were also not observed (Table 1).In the experiment of Reninger et al. (2000), preparations of Echinacea revealed antiphlogistic activity but they were not active as immuno-stimulators.Sokolnicka et al. (2001) reported that the degree of immuno-stimulating activity depended on the type of preparation, dose rate, and period of application.In case of cows, a dose has not been established and therefore, unequivocal results in the conducted experiment are lacking.
In respect to the somatic celi count in cow milk, statistically confirmed differences between both groups were not found (Table 2).An antiphlogistic effect of Echinacea was found by Reklewska et al. ( 2004) who reported a significantly lower somatic celi count in goat milk after the addition of Echinacea to the diet.

CONCLUSIONS
After 3-week administration of Echinacea meal, a higher level of immunoglobulins in serum of cows was found one month after the start of administration.This may indicate that the biologically active substances present in Echinacea stimulate humoral immunity.Further studies on the optimal level of the active substances for immuno-stimulation in cows during the perinatal period are needed.