Abstract
Weaning is considered one of the most stressful events in the life of beef cattle and can impact health and growth, therefore examination of its effects on innate immunity is needed. An animal with depressed immunity is susceptible to disease, can have poor growth, and increased morbidity and/or mortality during stressors. We isolated leukocytes and evaluated gene expression of components of the Toll‐like Receptor (TLR) Signaling Pathway. Beef calves (Angus, Hereford, and Angus‐cross breeds) were placed into groups of early (400lb), standard (500lb), and late weaned (600lb) animals. Blood samples were taken at birth, 1 month pre‐weaning, and 1 month post‐weaning. TaqMan PCR was conducted for TLR‐2, TLR‐4, PI3KR1, IKBα, TNFα, IL‐1β, IL‐8, MyD88, CASP8, p38, JNK, substance P precursor, and COX2 with housekeeping genes 18S and GAPDH. Final data is pending, however findings suggest increased expression of pro‐inflammatory and immunological mediators after weaning, yet no difference in expression found between weaning groups. Results may impact current weaning methods in tropical systems. Funded by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
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