The effect of the Allokin-alpha immunostimulator on the clinical and hematological parameters of calves
https://doi.org/10.52419/issn2072-2419.2025.3.13
Abstract
Immunological immaturity of calves and suboptimal housing conditions contribute to the development of diseases in young cattle, leading to significant economic losses due to mortality, reduced weight gain, and forced culling. With the growing antibiotic resistance, alternative treatment methods, including immunostimulants such as the synthetic oligopeptide Allokin-alpha, have become increasingly relevant. The immunostimulatory properties of Allokin-alpha include induction of endogenous killer cell synthesis, activation of the natural killer (NK) cell system, stimulation of cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated detection of infected cells, and enhanced cytokine production. This results in a shift of immune response from humoral to cellular immunity. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of Allokin-alpha immunostimulant on clinical and hematological parameters in calves. The research was conducted during spring at a breeding farm in Leningrad region on threemonth-old Holstein calves and at the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology of SPbSUVM (St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine). Allokin -alpha was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mg/head twice with a 6-day interval. To assess Allokin-alpha's effects on experimental animals and rule out concurrent diseases, clinical examinations and hematological blood tests were performed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Blood samples were collected before drug administration and after treatment completion for dynamic evaluation. Hematological testing was conducted at the SPbSUVM laboratory, analyzing leukocyte, erythrocyte, and platelet counts, hemoglobin levels, leukogram profiles and derived leukocyte indices in control and experimental groups. The application of Allokin-alpha normalized leukocyte counts in calves with bronchopneumonia mitigated inflammatory responses.
About the Authors
A. A. Sukhinin
St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Doctor of Biology Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department microbiology, virology and immunology
M. S. Borisova
St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Candidate of Veterinary Sciences, Assistant of the Department microbiology, virology and immunology
N. A. Stepanova
St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
postgraduate student of the Department microbiology, virology and immunology
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For citations:
Sukhinin A.A., Borisova M.S., Stepanova N.A. The effect of the Allokin-alpha immunostimulator on the clinical and hematological parameters of calves. International Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 2025;(3):13-22. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.52419/issn2072-2419.2025.3.13
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