HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stanger, K. J. Articles by Fitzpatrick, L. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stanger, K. J. Articles by Fitzpatrick, L. A.

The effect of transportation on the immune status of Bos indicus steers¹

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia

³ Correspondence—phone: 61 7 47814168; fax: 61 7 47816174; e-mail: lee.fitzpatrick{at}jcu.edu.au.

This study investigated the effect of 72 h of road transport on the immune status of Bos indicus steers (n = 10; age = 15 to 18 mo). Total and differential leukocyte numbers and lymphocyte function were determined at 2 d before transport (–48 h), immediately after 72 h of transport (72 h), and 6 d after transport (216 h). Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, interferon- production, and tetanus-toxoid specific antibody levels were determined. Total leukocyte and eosinophil numbers showed a transient decrease at 72 h (immediately after transport; P< 0.05) and returned to baseline values by 6 d after transport. Lymphocyte numbers and antibody titers were unaffected by transportation. The PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased (P < 0.05) at 72 h and returned to baseline levels 6 d after transport. This study demonstrated that transportation of mature Bos indicus steers caused transient decreases in leukocyte numbers and lymphocyte function, although all measures recovered by 6 d after transport. Therefore, Bos indicus cattle may be vulnerable to infection during this period.

Key Words: Bos indicus • Interferon- • Lymphocyte Functions • Transportation Stress

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. J. White, D. Blasi, L. C. Vogel, and M. Epp Associations of beef calf wellness and body weight gain with internal location in a truck during transportation J Anim Sci, December 1, 2009; 87(12): 4143 - 4150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. T. Richeson, E. B. Kegley, M. S. Gadberry, P. A. Beck, J. G. Powell, and C. A. Jones Effects of on-arrival versus delayed clostridial or modified live respiratory vaccinations on health, performance, bovine viral diarrhea virus type I titers, and stress and immune measures of newly received beef calves J Anim Sci, July 1, 2009; 87(7): 2409 - 2418. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Salak-Johnson and J. J. McGlone Making sense of apparently conflicting data: Stress and immunity in swine and cattle J Anim Sci, March 1, 2007; 85(13_suppl): E81 - E88. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]