ORIGINAL ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction of EDs with both environmental and housing systems on the immune response of grazing/stall-fed goats. Chemical endocrine disruptors are reported to contaminate food chains. Some examples of ED chemicals are PFOS and glyphosate (GLY); both are reported to weaken immunity. Grazing, compared to stall feeding, results in a greater variety in diet and microorganisms' animals are exposed to, strengthening their immune system. An ex vivo model was used: blood samples from both grazing and stall-fed goats were exposed to EDs to assess their impact on the function of immune cells and cytokine production. Outcomes indicated that goats which were fed under stall, having an immune response that was previously compromised, were more susceptible to the combined effect of PFOS and GLY, reflecting a higher rate of increase in oxidative stress. However, regarding inflammatory cytokines, both grazing and stall-fed groups reflected similar effects. It also shows how important housing systems are to modulate the impact on livestock immunity because of EDs, in the general interest of animal health and the safety of food derived therefrom, since EDs could exert risks to human health through contaminated consumable animal products. Long-term effects of EDs have to be clearly understood among livestock, and methods ought to be worked out concerning how to minimize the presence of these risks.