A preliminary study about lymphocyte subset of water buffalo calves.

The aim of this study was to monitor the age related variation of the T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of water buffalo calves. Additionally, lymphocytes and neutrophils percentage was measured. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against bovine lymphocyte cell surface antigens CD4, CD8 and WC1 (γ/δ) were tested in sequential peripheral blood samples prepared from 36 different aged water buffalo calves. Results showed the percentage of positive stained cells expressing CD4, CD8 and WC1 (γ/δ), as determined by flow cytometry. The subsets proportions varied significantly (P< 0.05) from the youngest age groups to the older ones as CD4+ increased while CD8+ and WC1+ decreased. The present study shows that the T-cell subpopulations are present in peripheral blood of buffalo calves as well as veal calves. Furthermore, there is a half reduction of neutrophil : lymphocytes ratio at the age of 5 months.