Evaluating plasma oxidative measures in beef calves supplemented with methionine1 and challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Authors: BARKER, SAMANTHA - Texas Tech University; JACKSON, TREYLR - West Texas A & M University; RICHESON, JOHN - West Texas A & M University; Carroll, Jeffery; Sanchez, Nicole; Broadway, Paul; DUCHARME, GARY - Proj-X Inc; KERTH, CHRISTOPHER - Texas A&M University; HERNANDEZ, M - Texas Tech University; LEGAKO, JERRAD - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/16/2026
Publication Date: 2/26/2026
Citation: Barker, S.N., Jackson, T.C., Richeson, J.T., Carroll, J.A., Sanchez, N.C., Broadway, P.R., Ducharme, G., Kerth, C.R., Hernandez, M.M., Legako, J.F. 2026. Evaluating plasma oxidative measures in beef calves supplemented with methionine1 and challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Journal of Animal Science. 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2026.1763503.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2026.1763503

Interpretive Summary: The receiving period at a feedlot is a stressful event in the life of beef cattle. Stressors include transportation, mixing of cattle, and exposure to disease. This can leave cattle vulnerable to sickness. Activation of the immune response can also cause oxidative stress, prolonging disease recovery. A study was conducted by scientists in Lubbock, Texas with industry and university colleagues to evaluate the use of methionine to reduce oxidative stress in beef cattle. Cattle were fed a diet with methionine and exposed to an immune stimulant to activate the immune system and oxidative stress. Results from this study found that addition of methionine may lessen oxidative stress by reducing the production of oxidative stress products. These data will be vital in further predicting and understanding the potential effects of oxidative stress on cattle growth and ultimate meat quality as time in the feedlot increases. Results from this study will be of interest to researchers in cattle health and stress physiology, and cattle producers.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress indicators in plasma of beef calves supplemented with a rumen-protected methionine supplement (L0 = Control; L1 = 10 g/steer· d; L2 = 20 g/steer· d), and then administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following an initial feeding period of 40 d, steers (n = 32; 379 kg ± 30.7) were intravenously administered LPS (0.25 µg/kg BW) on d 41. Blood samples were collected via jugular catheter at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h relative to LPS administration at 0 h. Isolated plasma was analyzed for indicators of oxidative stress via colorimetric assays determining ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Antioxidant values (FRAP) varied over time (P < 0.001), with the greatest reducing power (P < 0.001) at -2, 0, 2, 36, and 48 h. At 6 and 8 h post-LPS, FRAP values decreased (P < 0.001) to their lowest values. Concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) via TBARS assay varied by time (P < 0.001), with an increase (P < 0.001) in concentration 2 h post-LPS, but a large decline at 4 h post-LPS. Concentrations of MDA returned to initial levels at 18 h post-LPS. A treatment × time interaction (P < 0.001) occurred for ROS concentrations. Concentrations for all treatments were less than the detectable limit at -2, 0, 10, 12, 24, 36, and 48h. At 2 h post-LPS, ROS was greatest in L0 cattle, least in L2, and intermediate in L1 (P < 0.001), but declined at 4 h in all treatments. Values peaked at 6 h for L1 and L2 cattle, followed by a decline at 8 h (P < 0.001). Values for Control cattle were similar from 4 to 6 h (P = 0.371) but increased again at 8 h (P < 0.001). Finally, control calf serum metabolites present at -2 h distinctly segregated themselves from those present at 2 and 8 h. These data demonstrate that LPS may alter oxidative stress indicators because of the immune response. However, methionine supplementation may help to mitigate oxidative stress by reducing the production of oxidative stress products, like ROS.