ARS | Publication request: Use of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge to evaluate the innate immune response of Angus heifers with genotypic differences in GeneSTAR markers for intramuscular fat deposition

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 11, 2010
Publication Date: October 11, 2010
Citation: Buntyn, J., Carroll, J.A., Smith, T., Falkenberg, S., Rivera, J., Collier, C.T., Schmidt, T. 2010. Use of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge to evaluate the innate immune response of Angus heifers with genotypic differences in GeneSTAR markers for intramuscular fat deposition [abstract]. 2010 American Society of Animal Science Meeting, July 11-15, 2010, Denver, CO. Journal of Animal Science. 88(E-Supplement 2):590.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the innate immune response of Angus heifers with genotypic differences in terms of the presence or absence of GeneSTAR markers for intramuscular fat deposition. Twenty-three pure-bred Angus heifers (223 ± 44 kg) were sorted into two treatment groups based GeneSTAR markers; LowSTAR = no GeneSTAR markers ( n=11), and HighSTAR = one or more GeneSTAR markers (n=12). To evaluate immune response, LPS was administered via IV at 0.25 micrograms/kg BW. Prior to challenge (24 hrs), indwelling jugular catheters and indwelling rectal thermometers were inserted. Blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals and rectal temperatures (RT) at 1-min intervals from -2 to 8 h relative the LPS challenge at Time 0. Serum was analyzed for concentrations of cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines. HighStar heifers displayed greater (P < 0.05) RT responses and serum concentrations of cortisol compared to LowStar heifers post-LPS. LowStar heifers also had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of IFN-gamma post-LPS. No differences (P>0.05) were observed between HighStar and LowStar heifers for IL-6 concentrations; however, LowStar heifers had greater (P<0.05) sustained IL-6 responses. These results suggest that heifers lacking markers for intramuscular fat deposition have an altered immune response compared to High GeneStar heifers.