Differential stress responses among newly received calves: variations in reductant capacity and Hsp gene expression

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD), a major economic concern to the beef cattle industry all over the world, is triggered by physical, biological and psychological stresses. It is becoming noticeable that the key to reducing BRD appears to be centered at reducing the response to stress. The aims of the present study were to detect individual variations in the stress response of newly received young calves through their leukocyte heat shock protein (Hsp) response, selected neutrophil-related gene expression and oxidative stress, and relate them to pulmonary adhesions at slaughter, an indicative sign of clinical and subclinical episodes of BRD at an early age. Differential expression patterns of Hsp60 and Hsp70A1A were revealed in newly received calves 1 h, 5 h and 1 day after arrival, distinguishing between stress-responsive and non-stress-responsive individuals. Plasma cortisol was also indicative of stress-responsive and non-stress-responsive individuals, 1 h and 5 h after arrival. At the longer term, β-glycan levels were highest 7 days after arrival and significantly correlated with an adhesion-free phenotype at slaughter. Oxidative stress responses, measured through the oxidation products of the exogenous linoleoyl tyrosine (LT) marker, revealed that hydroperoxidation and epoxidation of membranes may readily occur. Based on the LT oxidation products and levels of β-glycan, we present a discriminant analysis model, according to which vulnerable individuals may be predicted at near 100% probability 7 days after arrival. Since clinical signs of BRD may often go undetected in feedlot calves, such a model, after its examination in largescale experiments, may be a reliable tool for an early prediction of subclinical signs of BRD.

Review: Individual variability in feeding behaviour of domesticated ruminants

“…Several authors have reported individual variability in physiological stress responses in cattle (e.g. Loerch and Fluharty, 1999;Eitam et al, 2010) and lambs (Rice et al, 2016b) when introduced to a feedlot. Lambs with a high cortisol response during the 1 st week in this new environment were also more reactive during isolation and restraint tests and had a greater number of feeding bouts likely due to a high number of displacements.…”

Genetic analysis and evaluation of behavioural traits in cattle

“…Moreover, Glenske et al (2011) reported a low relationship between the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene located near QTL for behavioural traits on chromosome 29, and temperament of German Angus cattle. A study using the expression of the leucocyte heat shock protein (Hsp) gene for early detection of the subclinical signs of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) confirmed that this gene is associated with stress response of animals (Eitam et al, 2010).…”

The Use of Kosher Phenotyping for Mapping QTL Affecting Susceptibility to Bovine Respiratory Disease

“…It includes upper and lower respiratory tract infections, diphtheria and pneumonia [ 1 , 2 ]. Due to immature functionality of the respiratory system in young cattle [ 3 ], BRD occurs more frequently and severely at young age, regardless of immunological and management considerations [ 4 , 5 ]. BRD is the most costly feedlot disease due to prevention and treatment costs, morbidity, mortality, and production amortization that includes performance, carcass merit, meat tenderness and palatability [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…To date, methods for detecting morbid cattle involve subjective visual appraisal and depend on the stage and extent of the disease. However, clinical signs of BRD may often go undetected in feedlot calves [ 15 ], emphasizing the need of an objective and reliable early risk predictor [ 5 ]. Genomic-based approaches may thus serve as additional methods for control of BRD.…”