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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 #187665
Title: NUTRITIONAL MODULATION OF THE PROLIFERATION AND ACTIVATION OF BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS FROM MILK REPLACER-FED CALVES

Author
item FOOTE, MONICA - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Nonnecke, Brian
item FOWLER, M - LAND O' LAKES, INC
item MILLER, B - LAND O' LINES, INC
item BEITZ, D - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Waters, Wade

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2005
Publication Date: 1/20/2005
Citation: Foote, M.R., Nonnecke, B.J., Fowler, M.A., Miller, B.L., Beitz, D.C., Waters, W.R. 2005. Nutritional modulation of the proliferation and activation of blood lymphocyte subsets from milk replacer-fed calves. Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 2005. AS Leaflet R2004.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The calf has a heightened susceptibility to a variety of infectious diseases during the first weeks of life. The developmental immaturity of the calf’s immune system likely contributes to its increased susceptibility to infectious disease. Therefore, new strategies promoting the maturation (i.e., competency) of the calf’s immune system during this period of increased susceptibility are needed. Current recommendations for protein and energy requirements of the young calf are inadequate for optimal growth. Effects of nutrient supply on immune function in the neonatal calf, however, are not well described. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the proliferative responses and expression of activation antigens (i.e., CD25, CD44, and CD62L) by peripheral blood T lymphocyte populations from calves fed standard and intensified milk replacers. Feeding greater quantities of protein and energy to neonatal calves was associated with a reduction in proliferative responses of T lymphocyte subsets to in vitro polyclonal stimulation. Feeding an intensified diet was also associated with altered in vitro expression of activation molecules, CD25, CD44, and CD62L. These data suggest that plane of nutrition during the neonatal period influences lymphocyte activities essential for the development of a normal immune response.