Some aspects of the acute phase immune response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge are mitigated by supplementation with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product in weaned beef calves1,2

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) to calves would alter the acute phase response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Crossbred steer calves (n = 32; 274 ± 1.9 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 2 treatment diets for 21 d: 1) Control, fed RAMP (Cargill, Dalhart, TX), and 2) SCFP, fed the Control ration supplemented with NaturSafe at 12 g·hd-1·d-1 mixed into the TMR (NaturSafe®, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA). On d 22, steers were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters and rectal temperature monitoring devices and placed in individual bleeding stalls. On d 23 steers were challenged i.v. with 0.25 µg/kg body weight LPS. Blood samples were collected at 0.5-h (serum) or 2-h (complete blood counts) intervals from -2 to 8 h and again at 24 h relative to the LPS challenge at 0 h. Sickness behavior scores (SBS) were recorded after collection of each blood sample. Rectal temperatures were greater in SCFP steers from 6 to 11 h, at 13 h, from 15 to 20 h, and from 22 to 24 h following the LPS challenge compared to Control steers (treatment × time: P = 0.01). Additionally, SCFP-supplemented steers had reduced (P < 0.01) SBS compared to Control steers. Platelet concentrations remained greater in SCFP-supplemented steers compared to Control steers throughout the study (P = 0.05), while there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for SCFP steers to have greater white blood cells and eosinophils concentrations than Control steers. There was a treatment × time interaction for serum cortisol and glucose (P < 0.01). Specifically, cortisol was greater at 0.5 and 2 h post-challenge but was reduced at 3 h for SCFP steers compared to Control steers. Glucose was greater in SCFP steers at -0.5, 2, and 7.5 h compared to Control steers. Serum amyloid A was reduced in SCFP steers at 0.5 h, yet greater at 1 and 7.5 h post-challenge compared to Control steers (treatment × time: P < 0.01). Fibrinogen concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in SCFP compared to Control steers. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for tumor necrosis factor-α such that concentrations were reduced in SCFP steers from 1 to 2 h post-challenge compared to Control steers. Overall these data suggest that supplementing calves with SCFP may have primed the innate immune response prior to the challenge, particularly platelets, which resulted in an attenuated sickness behavior and TNF-α response to LPS.

Influence of Yeast Products on Modulating Metabolism and Immunity in Cattle and Swine

“…In response to a vaccine challenge, steers had a significant decrease in circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes, but this response was prevented in steers supplemented with a hydrolyzed yeast [ 47 ]. In contrast, beef steers supplemented with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) prior to challenge with LPS were found to have greater concentrations of platelets and WBC populations, yet had reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations following the immune challenge [ 48 ]. The authors suggested that the greater WBC populations prior to the LPS challenge served to prime the immune system, preparing it for the challenge, and ultimately resulted in the decreased cytokine concentrations observed post-challenge.…”

“…However, the authors suggested that peak haptoglobin values may not have been realized due to the sample collection interval. In contrast, beef steers supplemented with SCFP had greater serum concentrations of fibrinogen compared to non-supplemented steers following an LPS challenge [ 48 ]. Fomenky et al [ 51 ] also observed greater concentrations of serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein in Holstein steers supplemented with yeast during the weaning period.…”

“…Yeast cell wall supplementation of weaned beef steers altered the metabolic response following LPS challenge, where greater glucose and insulin responses were observed yet concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were reduced [ 76 ]. Greater glucose responses were also observed in steers supplemented with SCFP subsequent to an LPS challenge [ 48 ]. These two studies suggest that supplementation of yeast products may improve energy availability during an immune challenge, which may be beneficial to allow for a more rapid resolution.…”

Zinc Source and Concentration Altered Physiological Responses of Beef Heifers during a Combined Viral-Bacterial Respiratory Challenge

“…Elevations in cortisol were only present in serum samples collected via jugular venipuncture. No differences ( p = 0.90) in circulating TNF-α concentrations were observed, and concentrations were decreased in comparison to other immune challenge models such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) [ 18 ]. However, a treatment effect was observed ( p = 0.02) in IL-6 concentrations ( Figure 7 ) such that ZinMet heifers had increased IL-6 concentrations compared to Zn200 but were similar to Zn100 from 6 to 24 h after the MH challenge.…”

Supplementation of Live Yeast, Mannan Oligosaccharide, and Organic Selenium during the Adaptation Phase of Newly Arrived Beef Cattle: Effects on Health Status, Immune Functionality, and Growth Performance

“…As previously stated, nutraceuticals, such as LY and yeast-derived products, may also exert an indirect effect on the immune system through an alteration of the metabolism, improving the energy availability in the form of glucose [ 23 ]. In fact, the blood glucose levels were significantly higher after a LPS endotoxin challenge in beef steers fed with different yeast-derived products [ 33 , 34 ]. These two studies suggest that supplementation of yeast-derived products may improve energy availability during an immune challenge, which may be beneficial to allow a more rapid resolution.…”