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Effects of Feeding Selenium-Enriched Alfalfa Hay on Immunity and Health of Weaned Beef Calves

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Abstract

Previously, we reported that feeding selenium (Se)-enriched forage improves antibody titers in mature beef cows, and whole-blood Se concentrations and growth rates in weaned beef calves. Our current objective was to test whether beef calves fed Se-enriched alfalfa hay during the transition period between weaning and movement to a feedlot also have improved immune responses and slaughter weights. Recently weaned beef calves (n = 60) were fed an alfalfa-hay-based diet for 7 weeks, which was harvested from fields fertilized with sodium selenate at 0, 22.5, 45.0, or 89.9 g Se/ha. All calves were immunized with J-5 Escherichia coli bacterin. Serum was collected for antibody titers 2 weeks after the third immunization. Whole-blood neutrophils collected at 6 or 7 weeks were evaluated for total antioxidant potential, bacterial killing activity, and expression of genes associated with selenoproteins and innate immunity. Calves fed the highest versus the lowest level of Se-enriched alfalfa hay had higher antibody titers (P = 0.02), thioredoxin reductase-2 mRNA levels (P = 0.07), and a greater neutrophil total antioxidant potential (P = 0.10), whereas mRNA levels of interleukin-8 receptor (P = 0.02), l-selectin (P = 0.07), and thioredoxin reductase-1 (P = 0.07) were lower. In the feedlot, calves previously fed the highest-Se forage had lower mortality (P = 0.04) and greater slaughter weights (P = 0.02). Our results suggest that, in areas with low-forage Se concentrations, feeding beef calves Se-enriched alfalfa hay during the weaning transition period improves vaccination responses and subsequent growth and survival in the feedlot.

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Abbreviations

ACTB:

Beta-actin

ADG:

Average daily gain

BIRC2:

Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 2

BP:

Base pairs

BW:

Body weight

CASP4:

Caspase 4

CFU:

Colony-forming units

CRE:

Copper-reducing equivalents

Dio:

Iodothyronine deiodinases

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulfoxide

FBS:

Fetal bovine serum

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

FOS:

FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog or c-FOS, and a member of the activator protein-1 family

GAPDH:

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

GPx:

Glutathione peroxidases

HBSS:

Hank’s balanced saline solution

ICE:

Interleukin 1β converting enzyme

IFN-γ:

Interferon-gamma

IL-2:

Interleukin 2

IL-8R:

Interleukin-8 receptor

l-Sel:

l-Selectin

MOI:

Multiplicity of infection

NETs:

Neutrophil extracellular traps

NFκB:

Nuclear factor kappa B

PBS:

Phosphate-buffered saline

PPM1A:

Protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A

qPCR:

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction

RBC:

Red blood cells

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

RPL19:

Ribosomal protein large subunit family member-19

SDHA:

Succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit A

Se:

Selenium

SeMet:

Selenomethionine

SEP:

Selenoproteins

TBK1:

TANK-binding kinase 1

TLR4:

Toll-like receptor 4

TMB:

3,3’,5,5’-Tetramethyl-benzidine

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor α

TrxR:

Thioredoxin reductases

WB:

Whole-blood

YWHAZ:

Tyrosine 3-monoxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide

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Acknowledgments

Funded in part by Animal Health and Disease Project Formula Funds and the Agricultural Research Foundation, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331–4802, USA (J.A. Hall, Principal Investigator). Appreciation is also expressed to KC Bare and Opal Springs Farms, LLC, Culver, Oregon, for precise Se application rates to alfalfa fields and growing the alfalfa hay for the conduct of these experiments.

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  1. Hugejiletu

    Present address: College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolian Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018, China

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-4802, USA

    Jean A. Hall, William R. Vorachek,  Hugejiletu & M. Elena Gorman

  2. Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-4802, USA

    Gerd Bobe, Wayne D. Mosher & Gene J. Pirelli

  3. Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-4802, USA

    Gerd Bobe

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  1. Jean A. Hall
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Hall, J.A., Bobe, G., Vorachek, W.R. et al. Effects of Feeding Selenium-Enriched Alfalfa Hay on Immunity and Health of Weaned Beef Calves. Biol Trace Elem Res 156, 96–110 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9843-0

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