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Effects of Exogenous Melatonin and Tryptophan on Fecal Shedding of E. Coli O157:H7 in Cattle

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Abstract

Fecal prevalence of Escherichia coli O157 in ruminants is highest in the summer decreasing to very low levels in the winter. We hypothesize that this seasonal variation is a result of physiological responses within the host animal to changing day-length. To determine the effects of melatonin (MEL) on fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle, eight crossbred beef steers identified as shedding E. coli O157:H7, were allotted to treatment: control or MEL (0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW); 1×) administered orally daily for 7 days. After a 5-day period of no treatment, a second MEL dose (5.0 mg/kg BW; 10×) was administered daily for 4 days. Fecal samples were collected daily for qualification of E. coli O157:H7. No differences (P > 0.10) were observed in the percentage of E. coli O157:H7 positive fecal samples in steers receiving the 1× MEL dose, however the 10× dose decreased (P = 0.05) the percentage of fecal samples E. coli O157:H7 positive. Serum MEL concentrations were higher in the 1×, but not 10×, treated animals compared to control animals. Although it is difficult to explain, this may be a result of decreasing day-length increasing serum melatonin concentrations that may have masked any treatment effect on serum melatonin. In a second similar experiment, a second group of cattle (heifers and steers) were administered tryptophan (TRP) over a 17-day experimental period (5 g/head/day for 10 days followed by 10 g/head/day for 7 days). Tryptophan had no effect (P > 0.20) on the percentage of fecal samples positive for E. coli O157. Serum TRP (P < 0.05), but not MEL (P > 0.20), concentrations were elevated in TRP-treated animals. The decrease in the number of positive fecal samples observed in the first experiment, may be related to gastrointestinal MEL, affected by the 10×, but not 1× MEL dose.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded in part by beef and veal producers and importers through their $1-per-head checkoff and was produced for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The authors gratefully acknowledge Graham Land and Cattle Company, Gonzales, TX for their participation in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, USDA-ARS, 2881 F&B Road, College Station, TX, 77845, USA

    Tom S. Edrington, Todd R. Callaway, Robin C. Anderson & David J. Nisbet

  2. Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA

    Dennis M. Hallford & Liang Chen

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  1. Tom S. Edrington
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  2. Todd R. Callaway
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Correspondence to Tom S. Edrington.

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Edrington, T.S., Callaway, T.R., Hallford, D.M. et al. Effects of Exogenous Melatonin and Tryptophan on Fecal Shedding of E. Coli O157:H7 in Cattle. Microb Ecol 55, 553–560 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-007-9300-8

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