Effect of Arsenic on Immunity, Oxidative Enzyme and Various Hematological Parameters in Cross Bred Calves

An experiment was conducted on crossbred male calves to study the effect of arsenic (As) on immunity status and certain hematological parameters. Ten crossbred male calves of 3-4 months of age were distributed into two equal groups. Group I was kept as control, whereas, group II was supplemented daily with 50 ppm As (as $As_sO_3$) up to 90 days, in the diet. Calves of both groups were fed as per ICAR standards and their requirements were fulfilled by feeding concentrate mixture and green oats. All calves were kept under similar managemental conditions. Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals to estimate various haematological parameters and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity. Serum Ig and serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were also measured. Cell-mediated immune responses of the calves were monitored at 0, 45 and 90 of experimental feeding, through lymphocyte proliferation. No change in blood total leukocyte counts (TLC), differential leukocyte counts (DLC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and SGPT was observed with As supplementation. A decrease in SOD activity was noticed in group II calves. Stimulation index (SI) for lymphocyte proliferation decreased from 1.14 to 0.79 in group II calves during 90 days experimental feeding, whereas, there was no change in SI values in group I indicating significant decrease in immune response of As supplemented calves. Blood As concentration increased in group II calves with the decrease in immune response. Short term supplementation of As to growing calves suggested suppressive effects on cell-mediated immunity. However, long term experiments are required to demonstrate clearly the efects of this toxic metal in calves.