Challenges with managing beef cattle health: Naturally occurring variations

Authors: Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll

Submitted to: Academy Veterinary Consultants
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/13/2018
Publication Date: 8/3/2018
Citation: Carroll, J.A. 2018. Challenges with managing beef cattle health: Naturally occurring variations. Academy Veterinary Consultants. XLVI (1):1-20.

Interpretive Summary: A series of studies were conducted involving scientists from the Livestock Issues Research Unit, Texas 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. Utilizing our endotoxemia (LPS) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) challenge models we have discerned natural variations in the stress and innate immune responses of beef cattle, revealing sexually dimorphic variations following exposure to LPS and BRD, as well as variations associated with animal temperament. Additionally, we have utilized these models to demonstrate that nutritional supplements can be an effective management tool for altering the innate immune response following exposure to an LPS or a BRD challenge. 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 stress and innate immune systems, and efforts to selectively and precisely modulate these systems in a manner that is beneficial not only for survival, but also for enhancing productivity in beef cattle. Our laboratory has utilized a reliable lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) challenge models as a means to discern individual variations that exist in the stress and innate immune responses that can have s significant impact on the overall health and productivity of beef cattle. Utilizing these models, we have characterized variations in the stress and innate immune responses following exposure to LPS or BRD 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 or BRD, as well as variations associated with animal temperament. Additionally, we have utilized these models to demonstrate that nutritional supplements can be an effective management tool for altering the stress and innate immune responses following an immunological challenge.