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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #266453
Title: Variations in stress and immune responses of cattle: Natural deviations and nutritional influences

Author
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item Sanchez, Nicole
item WELSH JR, THOMAS - Texas A&M University
item RANDEL, RONALD - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2011
Publication Date: 5/4/2011
Citation: Carroll, J.A., Sanchez, N.C., Welsh Jr, T.H., Randel, R.D. 2011. Variations in stress and immune responses of cattle: Natural deviations and nutritional influences. Proceedings of the California Animal Nutrition Conference, May 4, 2011, Fresno, California. p. 7-19.

Interpretive Summary: A series of collaborative studies was conducted involving scientists from the Livestock Issues Research Unit, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center-Overton, and Texas AgriLife Research-College Station to elucidate the relationships between stress and immunity in cattle, and how these biological processes are influenced by factors such as animal temperament, sex, and nutritional supplements. Utilzing our bovine endotoxemia model generated by administering an E. coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to cattle, we have discerned individual variations in the stress and innate immune responses in different breeds of Bos taurus cattle that are considered to be either heat-tolerant or heat-sensitive. We have also demonstrated natural variations in the stress and innate immune responses of Bos indicus cattle, revealing sexually dimorphic variations following exposure to LPS, as well as variations associated with animal temperament. Additionally, we have utilized this model to demonstrate that nutritional supplements can be an effective management tool for altering the innate immune response following exposure to LPS. Understanding the relationships that exist between stress and immune responses, and elucidating potential variations associated with various environmental conditions, the genetic makeup of the animal, and the impact of nutrition are essential steps toward developing new management strategies that will improve the overall health, productivity, and well-being of livestock. Therefore, this information will be of interest to both scientists and producers working in the area of beef cattle production with specific focus on the regulation of stress and immune responses.

Technical Abstract: Given the importance of the innate immune response with regard to the overall health and survival of domestic livestock, the primary immunological focus of this manuscript is on variations that exist within the innate immune system, and efforts to selectively and precisely modulate this system in a manner that is beneficial not only for survival, but also for enhancing productivity in domestic livestock. For more than a decade, our laboratory has utilized a reliable endotoxemia model generated by administering an E. coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to livestock as a means to discern individual variations that exist in the innate immune response that can have s significant impact on the overall health and productivity of an animal. Utilizing this model, we have characterized variations in the stress and innate immune responses following exposure to LPS in different breeds of Bos taurus cattle that are considered to be either heat-tolerant or heat-sensitive. We have also demonstrated natural variations in the stress and innate immune responses of Bos indicus cattle, revealing sexually dimorphic variations following exposure to LPS, as well as variations associated with animal temperament. Additionally, we have utilized this model to demonstrate that nutritional supplements can be an effective management tool for altering the innate immune response following exposure to LPS. Therefore, we have narrowed the focus of this manuscript to research data specifically associated with experiments demonstrating genetic and nutritional influences on the innate immune response in cattle.