The effect of methionine1 supplementation on receiving beef steers following a lipopolysaccharide challenge

Authors: BARKER, SAMANTHA - Texas Tech University; JACKSON, TREYLER - West Texas A & M University; Sanchez, Nicole; Carroll, Jeffery; Broadway, Paul; HALES, KRISTIN - Texas Tech University; DUCHARME, GARY - Adisseo Usa, Inc; SLOAN, BRIAN - Adisseo Usa, Inc; LEGAKO, JERRAD - Texas Tech University; RICHESON, JOHN - West Texas A & M University

Submitted to: Translational Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/3/2024
Publication Date: 10/10/2024
Citation: Barker, S.N., Jackson, T.C., Sanchez, N.C., Carroll, J.A., Broadway, P.R., Hales, K.E., Ducharme, G., Sloan, B., Legako, J.F., Richeson, J.T. 2024. The effect of methionine1 supplementation on receiving beef steers following a lipopolysaccharide challenge. Translational Animal Science. 8. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae147.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae147

Interpretive Summary: The receiving period is a stressful event in the life of beef cattle. Cattle are often transported, mixed, exposed to disease, and have decreased feed intake. When combined, these stressors can contribute to decreased immunity, leaving cattle vulnerable to illness. Thus, it is necessary to improve the health and productivity of cattle entering feedlots. In collaboration with university partners, scientists at the USDA-ARS assessed the effect methionine supplementation on the immune response in steers. The results suggest methionine supplementation may reduce inflammation associated with immune activation. These data will be of interest to scientist in the fields of animal health and performance, as well as beef producers.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation prior to and during a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on the performance and inflammatory biomarkers of receiving beef steers. Steers (n = 65; 295.8 ± 46.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: L0 = Control, receiving no supplement; L1 = 10 g/hd/d MetaSmart (Adisseo USA Inc., Alpharetta, GA); and L2 = 20 g/hd/d MetaSmart (Adisseo USA Inc.). The initial supplementation period prior to relocation for the LPS challenge was 40 d. Steers were selected for the challenge on d 35 of feeding, balanced by similarity in performance metrics, temperament, and previous/current health status. On d 40, selected steers (n = 32; L0 = 10; L1 = 11; L2 = 11) were transported to the USDA Livestock Issues Research Unit, and on d 41 steers were weighed, and fitted with indwelling rectal thermometers and jugular catheters. On d 42, steers were challenged i.v. with LPS (0.25 µg/kg BW). Blood samples were collected at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h relative to the LPS administration at 0 h. Serum was isolated to determine serum chemistry and inflammatory marker concentrations. Whole blood was used for hematology analysis. There were no differences in DMI or ADG (P = 0.75) during 35 d of supplementation. A treatment × time interaction (P = 0.01) occurred for rectal temperature, where L2 steers had the greatest temperature following the challenge (P = 0.05) compared to L1 and L0 steers. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.03) for the change in white blood cells where L0 steers had the greatest change compared to L1 and L2 steers at various timepoints. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.02) for the change in TNF-a concentration, where there was a greater increase in concentration in L0 compared to L1 and L2 steers. Additionally, there was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1ß (MIP-1ß) concentrations, where concentrations were greater in L0 compared with L1 and L2 steers from 2 to 4 h post-challenge. There was a treatment × time interaction for plasma total protein concentrations (P < 0.01) where L0 steers had less plasma total protein compared with L1 and L2 steers, while L1 steers had less plasma total protein than L2 steers at -2 h prior to LPS challenge. These data suggest that methionine supplementation may have an immunomodulatory effect in beef steers that may improve response to pathogens.