Effect of Beta-Carotene Supplementation on the Serum Oxidative Stress Biomarker and Antibody Titer against Live Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination in Japanese Black Calves.

Konosuke Otomaru,Yuki Iwamoto,Koji Hyakutake,Takahiro Kaneshige,Hyeyoung Hong,Kathuhisa Nagai,Rei Ogawa,Chikara Kubota,Shoko Oishi

doi:10.3390/vetsci5040102

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vaccination and beta-carotene supplementation on blood oxidative stress and antibody response in calves. Thirty Japanese Black calves were randomly assigned to two groups. Fifteen calves received 20 mg of beta-carotene supplemented into their daily provided rations from 2 to 8 weeks of age (BC group), and the other 15 calves did not receive the daily beta-carotene supplement (control group). All calves received a commercially available modified live bovine respiratory syncytial (RS) virus vaccine at 4 and 8 weeks of age. Blood samples were taken at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age. At 4 weeks of age, the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites within serum were significantly lower in the BC group than the concentrations measured in the control group. Also at 4 weeks of age, the concentration of biological antioxidant capacity within serum was significantly higher in the BC group than the concentrations measured in the control group. Both groups showed a gradual decrease of antibody titers to live bovine RS virus in the samples taken from 2 to 12 weeks of age. These results confirmed that beta-carotene supplementation decreased oxidative stress. However, beta-carotene supplementation did not affect the antibody response to live bovine RS virus vaccination, perhaps due to the presence of the maternal antibody.

Highlights

Young suckling calves, when compared to cows, have immature immune systems as evidenced by their lower numbers of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, which are responsible for humoral and cellular immunity [1]
The serum derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) in the BC group was lower than that in the control group from 4 to 12 weeks of age (Figure 5), and the difference between groups was statistically significant at 4 weeks of age (p < 0.05)
The serum beta-carotene concentration in the BC group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks of age. These results indicate that supplementing 20 mg/day of beta-carotene in Japanese Black calves is effective at increasing serum beta-carotene concentration with minor influences on serum retinol concentration

Summary

Introduction

Young suckling calves, when compared to cows, have immature immune systems as evidenced by their lower numbers of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, which are responsible for humoral and cellular immunity [1]. This was demonstrated by fairly low antibody response to vaccination [2]. Bovine respiratory syncytial (RS) virus causes bovine respiratory disease, which results in severe symptoms with concomitant bacterial infections [3]. To prevent infection of the bovine RS virus in calves, vaccination with the modified live bovine RS virus is occurring in Japan.

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