EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL LYSINE ON PERFORMANCE, ANTIBODY TITER AND RECTAL TEMPERATURE IN RESPONSE TO A MODIFIED-LIVE VIRAL VACCINE IN NEONATAL CALVES

Abstract

Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), caused by bovine herpesvirus-1, contributes significantly to economic losses in the dairy and beef cattle industry. Lysin e has been shown reduce virulence of herpesviruses in felids and humans. Our objective was to evaluate the effects o f supplemental lysine on serum IBR antibody titer a nd rectal temperature in response to a modified-live Intranas al (IN) or Intramuscular (IM) respiratory-virus vac cination. Sixty-four neonatal Holstein bull calves (7±2 d of age; BW = 37±4.2 kg) were used in a completely randomized design. Calves were fed milk replacer supplemented with either 17 g/d L-lysine monohydrochloride (LYS; 28 calves) or an equivalent amount of casein (CAS; 28 calves) for 42 d. Calves were then vaccinated with either an IN IBR-Parainfluenza virus-3 (PI3) or an IM (IBR-PI3-bovine viral diarrhea type I and II, bovine respi ratory syncytial virus) modified-live vaccine on d 36. A c ontrol group (8 calves) received no supplement or v accination. All calves were housed in individual calf pens (1.2 ◊2.1 m). Daily feed intakes were monitored and BW measured weekly. Calves were bled on d 0, 35, 36, 37 and 42. Temperature data loggers were attached to rectal p robes and temperatures were recorded every 5 min from d 28 to d 42. No significant differences were determined f or average performance, rectal temperature, or IBR antibody titers with either IN or IM vaccinations betw een LYS and CAS treated calves (p>0.10). However, serum urea nitrogen and the ratio of serum lysine: Arginine increased (p<0.05) for LYS compared to CAS calves. These results suggest that supplementing lysine impacts nitro gen metabolism but does not alter the response to IBR v accination or animal performance in neonatal Holstein calves.