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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291802
Title: Prenatal transportation alters the metabolic response of Brahman bull calves exposed to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge

Author
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item Sanchez, Nicole
item ROBERTS, MEGHAN - Texas A&M Agrilife
item PRICE, DEBORAH - Texas A&M Agrilife
item LITTLEJOHN, BRITTNI - Texas A&M Agrilife
item VANN, RHONDA - Mississippi State University
item WELSH JR, THOMAS - Texas A&M Agrilife
item HUGHES, HEATHER - West Texas A & M University
item RICHESON, JOHN - West Texas A & M University
item RANDEL, RONALD - Texas Agrilife Research

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2013
Publication Date: 10/24/2013
Citation: Carroll, J.A., Sanchez, N.C., Roberts, M.C., Price, D.M., Littlejohn, B.P., Vann, R.C., Welsh Jr, T.H., Hughes, H.D., Richeson, J.T., Randel, R.D. 2013. Prenatal transportation alters the metabolic response of Brahman bull calves exposed to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Journal of Animal Science Supplement. 91(E-Suppl. 2): 413 (Abstract 371).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This study was designed to determine if prenatal transportation influences the metabolic response to a postnatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Pregnant Brahman cows (n=96) matched by age and parity were separated into transported (TRANS; n=48; transported for 2 hours on gestational day 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140) and non-transported control groups (CONT; n=48). From these treatments, bull calves (n=16 per treatment) were identified at weaning (176 +/- 2 d of age) to subsequently receive a LPS challenge. We previously reported an effect of TRANS on temperament (TEMP); therefore, bulls were also grouped based on TEMP score [Calm (C); Intermediate (I), or temperamental (T)]. On d -2, bulls were transported by trailer from Overton, TX, to Lubbock, TX, (~750 km, ~ 8.5 h). On day -1, bulls were fitted with indwelling jugular cannulas and placed in individual stalls. On day 0, blood samples were collected at 0.5-hour intervals from -2 to 8 hours, and again at 24 hours relative to LPS challenge (0.5 microgram/kg body weight) at Time 0. Serum was analyzed for glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. All variables increased post-LPS (P<0.01). Glucose was greater in TRANS than CONT pre- and post-LPS (P<0.01), and was greater in T than C and I bulls pre-LPS (P<0.01). Post-LPS glucose was affected by TEMP, with this response influenced by prenatal transportation (P<0.01). Insulin tended to be greater (P=0.09) in TRANS than CONT bulls pre- and post-LPS. Post-LPS insulin was greatest in the C TRANS and I CONT bulls (P<0.01). Pre-LPS NEFA was greater in CONT than TRANS bulls (P=0.02), and was greatest in I bulls (P<0.01). Post-LPS, NEFA was also greater in I bulls (P<0.01). The BUN was greater both pre- and post-LPS in the C TRANS bulls. In summary, both prenatal transportation and TEMP had significant effects on the metabolic response before and after LPS, with prenatal transportation altering the observed metabolic responses within temperament groups. The altered metabolic response in the TRANS bulls may help explain differences observed in markers of the acute phase response in these bull calves following the LPS challenge.