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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169883
Title: ENERGY AND PROTEIN EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Author
item Kehrli Jr, Marcus
item Neill, John
item BURVENICH, C - UNIV GENT, BELGIUM
item Goff, Jesse
item Lippolis, John
item Reinhardt, Timothy
item Nonnecke, Brian

Submitted to: Ruminant Physiology International Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/30/2004
Publication Date: 3/1/2006
Citation: Kehrli, Jr., M.E., Neill, J.D., Burvenich, C., Goff, J.P., Lippolis, J.D., Reinhardt, T.A., Nonnecke, B.J. 2006. Energy and protein effects on the immune system. In: Sejrsen, K., Hvelplund, T., Nielsen, M.O., editors. Ruminant Physiology. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers. p. 455-471.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We will provide an overview of the effects of energy and protein status on the immune system, with a particular focus on the periparturient dairy cow. Recent studies have shown a significant component of the leukocyte proteome is committed to energy metabolism and cell signalling machinery. The various proteins involved in enabling and maintaining leukocyte function represent a demand on the host's protein metabolism. As part of this discussion we will focus on metabolic challenges facing the transition cow and how milk production influences metabolism and immune function. We also know there is considerable genetic control over the immune system capacity to function. There is as much genetic difference in immune function during the periparturient period between cows of average milk production capability as there is between cows of high milk production capacity. Therefore, very high milk production will not likely dictate that a cow will experience a greater magnitude or duration of immune suppression than a lower producing cow. It is more likely the inability of individual cows to adapt to the metabolic demands of milk production dictates the degree and duration of immune suppression experienced at calving.