ovalbumin and Weight-Gain

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest a positive correlation between chronic respiratory inflammatory disease and the ability to cope with adverse stress. Interactions between neuroendocrine and immune systems are believed to provide insight toward the biological mechanisms of action. The utility of an experimental murine model was employed to investigate the immunological consequences of stress-controllability and ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation. Pre-conditioned uncontrollable stress exacerbated OVA-induced lung histopathological changes that were typical of Th2-predominant inflammatory response along respiratory tissues. Importantly, mice given the ability to exert control over aversive stress attenuated inflammatory responses and reduced lung pathology. This model represents a means of investigating the neuro-immune axis in defining mechanisms of stress and respiratory disease.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Antigens, CD; Bronchoalveolar Lavage; Cytokinins; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Flow Cytometry; Inflammation; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Random Allocation; Respiration Disorders; Stress, Psychological; Th2 Cells; Time Factors; Weight Gain

Clinical and experimental data suggest that the inflammatory response is impaired in diabetics and can be modulated by insulin. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of insulin on the early phase of allergic airway inflammation.. Diabetic male Wistar rats (alloxan, 42 mg/Kg, i.v., 10 days) and controls were sensitized by s.c. injection of ovalbumin (OA) in aluminium hydroxide 14 days before OA (1 mg/0.4 mL) or saline intratracheal challenge. The following analyses were performed 6 hours thereafter: a) quantification of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, b) expression of E- and P- selectins on lung vessels by immunohistochemistry, and c) inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways and lung parenchyma. NPH insulin (4 IU, s.c.) was given i.v. 2 hours before antigen challenge.. Diabetic rats exhibited significant reduction in the BALF concentrations of IL-1beta (30%) and TNF-alpha (45%), and in the lung expression of P-selectin (30%) compared to non-diabetic animals. This was accompanied by reduced number of neutrophils into the airways and around bronchi and blood vessels. There were no differences in the CINC-1 levels in BALF, and E-selectin expression. Treatment of diabetic rats with NPH insulin, 2 hours before antigen challenge, restored the reduced levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and P-selectin, and neutrophil migration.. Data presented suggest that insulin modulates the production/release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, the expression of P- and E-selectin, and the associated neutrophil migration into the lungs during the early phase of the allergic inflammatory reaction.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Cell Movement; Chemokine CXCL1; Cytokines; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; E-Selectin; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin, Isophane; Interleukin-1beta; Male; Neutrophils; Ovalbumin; P-Selectin; Pneumonia; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Weight Gain

Several effects on the immune system have been ascribed to the cis9,trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer. We studied whether feeding a diet enriched with an 80:20 CLA isomer mix of cis9,trans11 and trans10,cis12 CLA from gestation to adulthood affects the capacity of adult rats to achieve a specific immune response. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed a 1% CLA diet or a control diet beginning on d 7 of gestation. Weaned pups received the same diet as dams until they were 15 wk old. Rats from both groups were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) when they were 9 wk old. Dietary CLA enhanced splenocyte OVA-specific proliferation by approximately 50% (P < 0.05) and decreased the mitogen-induced proliferative responses of these cells by approximately 10-20% (P < 0.05). The diminished splenocyte proliferative response was accompanied by a lower interleukin-2 secretion (P < 0.05). Long-term CLA supplementation did not increase serum, spleen, or mesenteric lymph node production of OVA-specific antibodies (Ab) or the number of spleen anti-OVA Ab-secreting cells. Interestingly, dietary CLA increased intestinal anti-OVA IgA production by approximately 75% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a 1% CLA diet administered from gestation to adulthood enhanced specific systemic cell-mediated immunity as well as the mucosal IgA immune response, whereas it downregulated the polyclonal activation of the immune system. These data support the long-term effects of dietary cis9,trans11 CLA isomer on the immune system.

Topics: Animals; Diet; Female; Immunity, Cellular; Immunoglobulins; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; Ovalbumin; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spleen; Weight Gain

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate receiving-period performance, morbidity, and humoral immune response, as well as finishing performance and carcass characteristics of heifers fed different sources of supplemental Zn. In Exp. 1, 97 crossbred beef heifers (initial BW = 223.4 kg) were fed a 65% concentrate diet with no supplemental Zn (control) or 75 mg of supplemental Zn/kg of DM from Zn sulfate, Zn methionine, or Zn propionate. During a 35-d receiving period, heifers were monitored daily for signs of bovine respiratory disease. Serum samples were collected for Zn analysis on d 0, 14, and 28. After the receiving period, heifers were adapted to and fed a high-concentrate diet with no supplemental Zn for 42 d. Heifers were then assigned to finishing diet treatments, with the same concentrations and sources of supplemental Zn as during the receiving period and fed for an average of 168 d. Serum samples also were obtained on d 0 and 56 of the finishing period and at the end of the study. During the receiving period, control heifers had a greater (P < or = 0.05) BW and G:F on d 35 than heifers in the other treatments, but no differences were observed among treatments for morbidity or serum Zn concentrations (P > or = 0.50). For the finishing period, DMI and ADG did not differ among treatments; however, overall G:F tended (P = 0.06) to be less for control heifers than for heifers in the 3 supplemental Zn treatments. On d 56 of the finishing period, control heifers tended (P = 0.06) to have a lower serum Zn concentration than heifers in the 3 supplemental Zn treatments. In Exp. 2, 24 crossbred beef heifers (initial BW = 291.1 kg) were fed the same 4 treatments as in Exp. 1 for a 21-d period. The humoral immune response to treatments was determined by measuring specific antibody titers after s.c. injection of ovalbumin on d 0 and 14. Body weights and blood samples for serum Zn concentration and ovalbumin IgG titers were collected on d 0, 7, 14, and 21. Serum Zn concentration and specific ovalbumin IgG titers did not differ (P > 0.10) among the 4 treatments on any sampling day. Results from these 2 studies showed no major differences among the sources of supplemental Zn for receiving period morbidity, ADG, DMI, and humoral immune response of beef heifers; however, a lack of supplemental Zn during an extended finishing period tended to negatively affect G:F.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Antibody Formation; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Energy Intake; Female; Ovalbumin; Random Allocation; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Trace Elements; Weight Gain; Zinc

A trial was conducted to investigate potential interactions between phytase and xylanase enzymes in wheat-based laying diets. Hens (480 ISA-White and 480 ISA-Brown) were distributed into 160 experimental units and fed one of 10 diets containing 75 to 77% wheat from 33 to 64 wk of age with a diet change at 49 wk. Two diets were adequate in P content (0.3 and 0.25% available P in the 2 phases) with or without xylanase (0 or 2,000 U/kg; Avizyme 2300, Danisco Animal Nutrition, Marlborough, Wiltshire, United Kingdom), and 8 diets had reduced P (0.2 and 0.15% available P) with or without xylanase and phytase (0, 300, 500, and 700 ppu/kg; Phyzyme 5000G, Danisco Animal Nutrition). Egg production was higher for ISA-Brown than for ISA-White hens, and ISA-Brown hens were larger. Eggs from ISA-Brown hens had lower albumen height; higher egg, shell, and albumen weights; and lower yolk weight than those from ISA-White hens. Egg production was not affected by the diet. In P-reduced diets without xylanase, phytase significantly increased BW gain in the first period with no change in feed intake or feed efficiency. In P-adequate diets, xylanase increased egg and albumen weight and albumen height. In P-reduced diets with xylanase, increasing levels of phytase increased egg and albumen weight. This trial demonstrated no negative interactions between these enzymes for production traits and no interactions between the diet and strain of hen. These data suggest that poultry producers can use these enzymes individually or together in feed for the Brown and White egg layers used in this study without concern for the strain of hen.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Chickens; Diet; Egg Shell; Egg White; Egg Yolk; Eggs; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases; Female; Ovalbumin; Phosphorus; Species Specificity; Triticum; Weight Gain

The pathophysiology of the hepatic vascular response to anaphylaxis in guinea pig is not known. We studied effects of anaphylaxis on hepatic vascular resistances and liver weight in isolated perfused livers derived from guinea pigs sensitized with ovalbumin. We also determined whether nitric oxide (NO) or carbon monoxide (CO) modulates the hepatic anaphylaxis. The livers were perfused portally and recirculatingly at constant flow with diluted blood. With the use of the double-occlusion technique to estimate the hepatic sinusoidal pressure (Pdo), portal venous resistance (Rpv) and hepatic venous resistance (Rhv) were calculated. An antigen injection caused venoconstriction characterized by an increase in Rpv greater than Rhv and was accompanied by a large liver weight gain. Pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, but not the heme oxygenase inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX, potentiated the antigen-induced venoconstriction by increasing both Rpv and Rhv (2.2- and 1.2-fold increase, respectively). In conclusion, anaphylaxis causes both pre- and postsinusoidal constriction in isolated guinea pig livers. However, the increases in postsinusoidal resistance and Pdo cause hepatic congestion. Endogenously produced NO, but not CO, modulates these responses.

Topics: Anaphylaxis; Animals; Bile; Carbon Monoxide; Enzyme Inhibitors; Guinea Pigs; Hemodynamics; Hepatic Veins; Immunization; In Vitro Techniques; Injections; Liver; Liver Circulation; Male; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Organ Size; Ovalbumin; Portal Vein; Protoporphyrins; Vascular Resistance; Vasoconstriction; Weight Gain

Dekalb Delta hens were randomly assigned to one of eight dietary treatment groups. Two intakes of lysine (860 and 959 mg/hen per day) and 4 intakes of TSAA (635, 689, 811, 877 mg/hen per day) were combined in a 2 x 4 factorial treatment arrangement and fed from 20 to 43 wks of age. A phase feeding regimen was implemented at 43 wk with lysine intake lowered to 715 or 816 mg/hen per day and TSAA to 578, 607, 699, or 779 mg/hen per day. Cage was the experimental unit (5 hens/cage), and dietary treatments were replicated 8 times. Egg production (EP) and feed consumption were not affected by dietary treatments. Feed efficiency improved linearly by increasing TSAA intake during phase I only. Hen weight gain was improved (P < or = 0.03) by increased dietary lysine (94.2 vs. 135.2 g weight gain/hen). During phase I, hen weight gain was affected quadratically (P < or = 0.02) by TSAA. Increasing TSAA intake up to 689 mg/hen per day increased hen weight gain, but gain decreased at the highest intake. Egg weights (EW) increased (P < or = 0.02) from 59.02 to 60.21 g with increased lysine intake. Increasing lysine intake increased wet and dry albumen percentage, whereas dry yolk percentage decreased with increasing lysine. Total sulfur amino acid intake affected wet yolk, dry yolk, and solids in a quadratic trend, with hens fed 811 and 699 mg/d producing eggs with the greatest yolk solids. Wet and dry shell percentages were not affected by lysine or TSAA, and specific gravity decreased linearly during phase II and overall, with increased dietary TSAA. In conclusion, the dietary lysine at 959 and 816 mg/hen per day for phases I and II, respectively, optimized EW and feed efficiency. Because EP was not affected by dietary lysine, the dietary level for optimizing EP is closer to 860 and 715 mg/hen per day for phases I and II, respectively. Dietary TSAA level for maximum EP and feed efficiency was near 811 and 699 mg/hen per day but for EW may be closer to 877 and 779 mg/hen per day for phases I and II, respectively.

Topics: Amino Acids, Sulfur; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Chickens; Diet; Eating; Eggs; Female; Lysine; Ovalbumin; Oviposition; Weight Gain

The aim of the experiment was to assess the effects of either maternal deprivation or prevented suckling on lambs. Thirty Comisana lambs were assigned to a control dam-suckled group (DS) and two test groups of 10 each. Test lambs were maintained with their mothers 24 to 30 h after parturition and subsequently offered ewe milk from buckets: EM lambs were separated from their mothers, while EM+D animals were reared with their dams but suckling was denied by covering ewe udders with juta bags. Behavioral, immune and cortisol responses of lambs were assessed throughout the experiment. EM+D lambs spent less time (P<.001) on investigative behavior compared to the two other groups. When isolated in a novel environment, EM+D lambs exhibited a shorter duration of movement (P<.01) and a longer latency time compared to DS and EM lambs (P<.001 and P<.05, respectively) as well as a higher number of bleats (P<.01) than EM lambs. EM+D lambs also displayed higher (P<.001) plasma cortisol levels than the other two groups when isolated at 4 days of age. When subjected to discrimination tests, EM+D lambs spent less time near their companions (P<.01) than EM lambs and took a longer time to reach their pen mates (P<.01) than DS and EM lambs. EM+D lambs displayed reduced growth (P<.001) compared to DS animals during the 0-7 and 8-14-day periods. We conclude that frustration arising from maternal feeding deprivation results in altered endocrine and behavioral responses and reduced growth suggesting emotional disturbances of lambs.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Suckling; Behavior, Animal; Discrimination, Psychological; Endocrine System; Hydrocortisone; Immunity; Leukocyte Count; Male; Maternal Deprivation; Milk; Ovalbumin; Phytohemagglutinins; Sheep; Social Behavior; Social Isolation; Weaning; Weight Gain

Effects of cold stress (CS) on the immune system of chicken lines divergently selected for high (H line) and low (L line) antibody responses to SRBC next to a randombred control (C) line were studied. Three- to four-week-old growing chicks of the three lines were feed-restricted at 80% ad libitum and subjected to CS at 10 degrees C continuously for 7, 5, 3, 1, or 0 d prior to immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Specific and natural antibodies were measured in the three chicken lines subjected to or not subjected to various durations of CS prior to immunization. In addition to antibodies we also measured in vitro lymphocyte proliferation as a measure of cell-mediated immunity (CMI), zymosan-induced reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) production as a measure of phagocytosis, and BW gain as a measure of production trait. In general, significantly higher antibody responses to KLH and natural antigens were found in the H line as compared to the other two lines. Specific antibody responses to KLH were not significantly affected by CS, but an acute transient increase in natural antibody titers to ovalbumin was found in H line birds subjected to 1 d of CS, which was not found in C or L line birds. On the other hand, an acute significant increase in natural antibody titers to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found in C and L line birds subjected to 1 d CS but not in H line birds. Cold stress enhanced the ROI production. In addition, 7 d of CS significantly enhanced cellular immunity in vitro, but no significant line effects with respect to cellular immunity were found. BW gain was negatively affected by CS, especially when CS was applied for longer periods. We concluded that birds responded immediately to CS with enhanced innate (phagocyte and natural antibody) immunity, irrespective of genetic background. When CS is prolonged, the cellular adaptive immune response is affected also. Although reallocation of energy was not measured, our data suggested that under limited conditions (e.g., restricted feeding) with simultaneous stress (e.g., CS), growth and cellular immunity were more sensitive than thermoregulation and humoral immunity. With respect to vital life traits, thermoregulation may have first priority followed by adaptive cellular immunity, humoral immunity, and BW gain. The relationships between immune responses and adaptation to stress are discussed.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Antibody Formation; Body Temperature Regulation; Breeding; Chickens; Cold Temperature; Erythrocytes; Escherichia coli; Female; Food Deprivation; Hemocyanins; Immunity; Immunity, Cellular; Immunization; Lipopolysaccharides; Lymphocyte Activation; Ovalbumin; Reactive Oxygen Species; Selection, Genetic; Sheep; Stress, Physiological; Weight Gain

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effect of dietary vitamin E on receiving performance and health and on finishing performance of beef cattle. One hundred twenty beef steers (Exp. 1; initial BW = 173 kg) and 200 beef heifers (Exp. 2; initial BW = 204 kg) were assigned randomly to one of three treatment diets formulated to supply 285, 570, or 1,140 IU/animal daily of supplemental vitamin E during the receiving period. Average daily gain, gain:feed, and DMI were calculated every 14 d, with pen as the experimental unit. Morbidity and retreatment data were analyzed using a nonparametric procedure. After the receiving period, cattle were assigned to a grazing period followed by a finishing program and fed until slaughter. In Exp. 3, 17 beef steers were used to evaluate effects of the same three vitamin E levels on humoral immune response to an ovalbumin vaccine given on d 0 and 14. Jugular blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, 14, and 21. In Exp. 1, vitamin E did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG, DMI, or gain:feed for d 0 to 14, 14 to 28, or 0 to 28. No effects were noted for percentage of morbidity; however, cattle receiving 1,140 IU/d had a numerically (P = 0.15) lower incidence of retreatment. During the 91-d finishing phase, a quadratic effect (P < 0.08) was noted for DMI, ADG, backfat thickness, longissimus muscle area, and yield grade. In Exp. 2, a tendency for a linear (P = 0.10) increase in ADG was observed for the first 14 d of receiving; however, ADG decreased linearly (P = 0.06) with vitamin E concentration thereafter. For the 28-d period, ADG and DMI did not differ among treatments, but gain:feed decreased linearly (P < 0.05) for d 14 to 28 and for d 0 to 28. No effects on percentage morbidity were noted in Exp. 2, and no differences were detected for ADG, gain:feed, or DMI for the 98-d finishing period. There was a linear increase in yield grade (P < 0.05) and a linear (P < 0.08) decrease in longissimus muscle area with increasing vitamin E. Heifers receiving 570 IU of vitamin E during the receiving period tended to have a higher (P < 0.09) dressing percentage at slaughter. In Exp. 3, no significant differences were detected in serum IgG titers to ovalbumin on d 0, 7 or 14; however, on d 21, a linear increase (P = 0.07) in serum IgG titers was noted with supplemental vitamin E. Supplemental vitamin E had limited effects on performance; however, effects on humoral immune response and recovery from respiratory disease warrant further resear

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Antibody Formation; Antioxidants; Body Composition; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Energy Intake; Female; Health Status; Male; Ovalbumin; Random Allocation; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Vaccination; Vitamin E; Weight Gain

The study examined the effects of stressors on the responses of 3 and a half-week old piglets that had been given an oral dose of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and a novel harmless antigen (ovalbumin). Removal from the sow (WEAN), a short-term cold stressor (12;C for 48 hours) (TEMP) and mixing with non-littermates (MIX) were assessed in terms of the effects on faecal shedding of ETEC, immune responses, weight gain and an ACTH stimulation test. WEAN and TEMP reduced weight gain and all stressors increased faecal shedding of ETEC. All stressors increased the IgG responses to F4(K88)ac antigens and WEAN and TEMP increased the IgA responses to the same antigens, probably as a result of increased intestinal proliferation of ETEC. None of the stressors, however, had significant effects on antibody responses to ovalbumin or on lymphocyte proliferation assays. The results indicate that stressors influence the faecal shedding of ETEC in young piglets by a mechanism that may not involve modulation of immune responses.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Antigens, Bacterial; Antigens, Surface; Cold Temperature; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Escherichia coli Proteins; Feces; Female; Fimbriae Proteins; Housing, Animal; Hydrocortisone; Immunity, Cellular; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Ovalbumin; Stress, Physiological; Swine; Swine Diseases; Time Factors; Weaning; Weight Gain

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to enhance immune reactions such as lymphocyte blastogenesis and delayed-type hypersensitivity. We investigated the role of CLA in type I (immediate) hypersensitivity, using a guinea pig tracheal superfusion model for measuring antigen-induced airway smooth muscle contraction and inflammatory mediator release. Female Hartley guinea pigs were fed a diet supplemented with 0.25 g corn oil or linoleic acid/100 g of diet (control) or 0.25 g CLA/100 g of diet for at least 1 wk before and during active sensitization to ovalbumin antigen. Tracheae from sensitized guinea pigs were suspended in air-filled water-jacketed (37 degrees C) tissue chambers in a superfusion apparatus. Tracheae were superfused with buffer containing antigen, and tissue contraction was recorded. Superfusate was collected at 90-s intervals for evaluation of histamine and PGE(2) release. CLA did not affect antigen-induced tracheal contractions when expressed as gram contraction per gram tissue. CLA significantly reduced antigen-induced histamine and PGE(2) release. CLA appears to decrease release of some inflammatory mediators during type I hypersensitivity reactions.

Topics: Animals; Antigens; Carbachol; Dietary Fats; Dinoprostone; Eating; Female; Guinea Pigs; Histamine Release; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Linoleic Acid; Muscle Contraction; Ovalbumin; Trachea; Weight Gain

We have studied the long-lasting effects on rat weight gain of an active immunization with a peptide construction consisting of the covalent linkage of the 104-113 GH sequence to the 323-339 sequence of ovalbumin and to adjuvant muramyl dipeptide (MDP). The 104-113 GH sequence has already been identified as a potential epitope capable of enhancing growth hormome (GH) activity when complexed with the specific antibodies. Our results show that: a) 104-113 peptide antibodies after reacting with the endogenous GH produced a weight gain up to 7% higher than that observed in unimmunized rats; and b) the position of the adjuvant sequence in the molecule was critical for the immune response. Antibodies elicited in hypophysectomised rats had no effect on weight gain, thus confirming that the increase in hormonal activity is actually linked to the binding of specific peptide antibodies to endogenous GH.

Topics: Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitopes; Female; Growth; Human Growth Hormone; Hypophysectomy; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Molecular Sequence Data; Ovalbumin; Peptides; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stimulation, Chemical; Swine; Vaccination; Weight Gain

We have determined the in vivo effect of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) administered to mice in the drinking water for various lengths of time on the performance of T and B lymphocytes in a number of experimental protocols. Young mice continuously exposed to BrdU fail to gain weight, and the lymphocytes recovered after a prolonged period of exposure are fewer in number than in control mice. The recovery of normal levels of T and B lymphocytes after irradiation is severely impaired. Ag-specific cells responding to Ag in an adoptive transfer model fail to expand as much in the presence of BrdU as in the absence, and the Ag-specific effectors produced in the presence of BrdU are less able to secrete cytokines upon restimulation in vitro. Polarized populations of Tc1 and Tc2 effectors generated in vitro proliferate less in the presence of BrdU, and the resulting effectors make less cytokines per cell upon restimulation. Thus, the incorporation of BrdU into T or B lymphocytes can, under some circumstances, seriously impair the performance of the labeled cells, and these findings raise a note of caution in the interpretation of studies that make use of long-term exposure to BrdU.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adoptive Transfer; Animals; Antigens; B-Lymphocyte Subsets; Bromodeoxyuridine; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Gamma Rays; Immunity, Cellular; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Interphase; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Ovalbumin; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Weight Gain; Whole-Body Irradiation

The aim of this present study was to investigate the effect of amount and degree of oxidation of dietary oil on type 2 T-helper cell (TH)-related immune responses. Four groups of BALB/c mice were fed either 50 g soyabean oil/kg (50-S), 50 g oxidized oil/kg (50-O), 150 g soyabean oil/kg (150-S) or 150 g oxidized oil/kg (150-O). After 14 weeks consuming the experimental diets, the mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) plus Al and antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG1 and IgG2a, inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin (PG) E2 and leukotriene (LT)B4 were determined. Higher hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 was noted in mice fed 150 g oxidized oil/kg compared with those of other groups. OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE were higher in mice fed 150 g oxidized oil/kg compared with those of the other groups. The data suggested the interleukin (IL)-4: interferon (IFN)-gamma ratio was higher in mice fed 50 g dietary oxidized oil/kg compared with that of the 50-S group. The IL-5:IFN-gamma ratios were higher in the 150-S and 150-O groups than in the 50-S and 50-O groups. PGE2 and LTB4 produced by macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide were highest in mice in the 150 g oxidized oil/kg group. The data suggested that an increased intake of oxidized oil might exert an unfavourable effect on the TH2 response involved in allergic disease.

Topics: Animals; Asthma; Cell Division; Cytokines; Dinoprostone; Energy Intake; Female; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Inflammation Mediators; Leukotriene B4; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Oxidation-Reduction; Soybean Oil; Spleen; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; Weight Gain

Bordetella pertussis produces a cell-invasive adenylate cyclase toxin which is synthesised from the cyaA gene as an inactive protoxin that is post-translationally activated by the product of the cyaC gene. Purified active and inactive CyaA proteins were prepared from B. pertussis or from recombinant Escherichia coli expressing both cyaA and cyaC genes or the cyaA gene alone. respectively. In addition, a hybrid toxin (Hyb2) in which an internal region of CyaA had been replaced with the analogous region from the leukotoxin (LktA) of Pasteurella haemolytica, and which had low cell-invasive activity, was also prepared from E. coli expressing the cyaC gene. The CyaA preparations showed no evidence of toxicity in a mouse weight-gain test. Active toxin preparations were protective in mice against intranasal challenge with wild-type B. pertussis, as evidenced by lung:body weight ratios and bacterial numbers in the lungs, which were comparable to those in mice given whole-cell DPT vaccine. Hyb2 was not as protective as active CyaA and inactive CyaA preparations were not protective. Active CyaA, when co-administered with ovalbumin (OA), had a marked adjuvant effect on the anti-OA IgG antibody response which was not as apparent with inactive CyaA preparations. Similarly, active CyaA stimulated a greater anti-CyaA response than the inactive form.

Topics: Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; Adenylyl Cyclases; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins; Bordetella pertussis; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Ovalbumin; Protein Precursors; Virulence Factors, Bordetella; Weight Gain; Whooping Cough

A 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a randomized complete block designed study to determine the effects of chromium level and source on growth and immune response of stressed and non-stressed 3-wk-old crossbred weanling pigs (BW was 6.35 kg). Factors included 1) immune stress or control and 2) no supplemental Cr or .2 ppm of supplemental Cr from either CrCl3, Cr-picolinate, or Cr-nicotinic acid complex. The basal diet was a corn-soybean meal-whey diet containing 1.2% lysine. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was the stress-inducing agent and was injected on d 7, 10, and 13 of the experiment. Immune challenge with LPS resulted in reduced gain (P < .05) and feed intake (P < .10). Supplementation with Cr was not effective in alleviating the depression in growth due to LPS. However, supplementation of control pigs with Cr tended to improve (P < .10) gain and feed intake. In vitro cellular immune response as measured by a lymphocyte blastogenesis assay was increased (P < .10) in pigs fed supplemental Cr from CrCl3, or Cr-picolinate. Antibody response to sheep red blood cells tended to be increased (P < .10) in pigs supplemented with Cr-nicotinic acid, but antibody response to ovalbumin was decreased (P < .05) in pigs supplemented with organic forms of Cr. At the end of the study, effects of Cr supplementation on lymphocyte proliferative response were investigated before and after ACTH administration. Injections of ACTH resulted in increased (P < .001) serum cortisol levels and increased lymphocyte proliferation. Supplementation of Cr did not affect lymphocyte blastogenic response before or after ACTH injection (P > .10). These data suggest that Cr supplementation was not beneficial during immune stress in pigs.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Antibodies; Cell Division; Chromium; Diet; Eating; Erythrocytes; Escherichia coli; Food, Fortified; Hydrocortisone; Lipopolysaccharides; Lymphocytes; Ovalbumin; Phytohemagglutinins; Pokeweed Mitogens; Random Allocation; Skin; Swine; Weight Gain

We investigated the effect of (Hb) and immunization status on energy metabolism of newly weaned pigs. An additional focus of the study was to determine the development of circadian rhythms as evidenced by heat production patterns. Twenty-four 4-wk-old crossbred weanling barrows were placed into groups of three based on weight and litter origin, and the groups were allotted to one of four treatments. Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial. The factors included 1) Hb status (low vs high) and 2) immunization status (antigen vs placebo). Hemoglobin status was obtained by injecting 3-d-old barrows with 100 (low) or 200 mg (high) of Fe. At 4 wk, initial blood Hb concentrations were 6.0 mM for the low group and 7.8 mM for the high group. Energy metabolism was measured using two weekly total energy and nitrogen balance collections. Energy intake and retention were higher (P < .05) in pigs with a high Hb level. Energy metabolism was not affected (P > .10) by immunization status, and heat production was not affected (P > .10) by either Hb or immunization status. Total heat production (HTOT) increased (P < .001) daily and reflected a daily increase (P < .001) in activity (HACT) and activity-free (HCOR) heat production. An increase (P < .001) in HTOT and HACT was detected for the light period compared with the dark period over the total experimental period but a decrease (P < .001) in HCOR was detected; however, HACT for the dark period was approximately half of that measured during the light period. In conclusion, Hb status affected energy metabolism; pigs having a high Hb status had a higher energy retention. Immunization status had minimal effects on energy metabolism and heat production. Additionally, the diurnal circadian rhythm seen in older pigs had not been established by 2 wk after weaning.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Antibodies; Antigens; Body Temperature Regulation; Circadian Rhythm; Energy Metabolism; Hemocyanins; Hemoglobins; Male; Nitrogen; Ovalbumin; Swine; Tetanus Toxin; Time Factors; Weight Gain

The effects of hemoglobin (Hb) status and coping style of pigs on performance and humoral immune response were studied. Twenty-four, 4-wk-old crossbred barrows were assigned to groups of three pigs based on weight and litter origin. Groups were allotted according to a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement: two blood Hb concentration classes (low vs high) and two immunization procedures (control vs immunized). Immunized pigs received an antigen cocktail containing keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), ovalbumin (OA), and tetanus toxoid (TT) at weaning. Additionally, pigs were stratified according to behavioral coping style in response to exposure to a stressor. During 41 d after weaning (approximate time of immunization), blood Hb concentration, ADG, and ADFI were measured weekly and serum antibody titers to KLH, OA, and TT twice weekly. Average Hb concentration differed between low and high Hb pigs (P < .001; 10.0 vs 12.0 g/dL), but this difference declined with time after weaning. Neither immunization procedure nor coping style affected Hb concentrations. In addition, ADG and ADFI were unaffected by any of the treatments. However, ADG was slightly greater in high Hb status pigs (586 vs 633 g/d) and was paralleled by a slightly greater ADFI in high Hb status pigs (812 vs 899 g/d). Antibody responses were negatively or not related to Hb status at weaning. Antibody responses (depending on isotype and antigen) were or tended to be lower in pigs with high blood Hb concentrations. Behavioral coping style strongly affected humoral immune responsiveness; enhanced or accelerated antibody responses were found in pigs that had a passive coping style.

Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Animals; Antibody Formation; Eating; Hemocyanins; Hemoglobins; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Ovalbumin; Swine; Tetanus Toxoid; Weight Gain

The effects of chronic antigen feeding on systemically sensitized rats were investigated. Findings include a reduction of water and antigen intake in egg albumin (EA), sensitized rats receiving EA in their drinking water for an 8 day period, compared to that of sensitized rats fed bovine serum albumin and of naive rats. Feeding EA to sensitized animals also induced a decrease in daily weight gain. This decline did not seem to be a consequence of a decreased food intake, but might rather reflect a decreased water consumption and an alteration of nutrient absorption in the gut. Indeed, sensitized rats fed EA exhibited a significant increase in jejunal and ileal histamine content compared to control rats, which may indicate the development of an inflammatory reaction in the small intestinal mucosa. Intestinal troubles experienced because of this inflammatory reaction might explain the reduction of antigen and water intake observed in sensitized rats.

Topics: Animals; Eating; Growth Disorders; Histamine Release; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Ovalbumin; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Reference Values; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Weight Gain

The effects of severe and moderate magnesium (Mg) deficiency on blood and urinary histamine were studied in 36 male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats with or without IgE-stimulating antigen challenge. The rats were divided into six groups: two each on 50 (severely deficient), 300 (moderately deficient), and 2000 (control) ppm Mg diets without and with immunization with ovalbumin challenge on days 0, 14, and 29. Unimmunized severely Mg-deficient rats had significantly elevated urinary histamine which returned to normal by 22 days, but whole blood histamine was still significantly elevated at 36 days. Both blood and urinary histamine of immunized severely Mg-deficient rats were significantly higher than those of all the other groups throughout the study, particularly after the antigen challenge. There was a synergism of antigen challenge and severe Mg deficiency on blood and urinary histamine levels. The results suggest that severe Mg deficiency can aggravate diseases which are caused by abnormal histamine release after exposure to an IgE-stimulating antigen.

Topics: Animals; Histamine; Immunoglobulin E; Magnesium Deficiency; Male; Ovalbumin; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Weight Gain

Four trials were conducted to characterize the consumption of creep feed by nursing pigs and the effects of creep feeding (from 10 d to weaning at 28 d) on the immune response, scouring index and subsequent performance of weanling pigs. Pigs were fed a ground 20% CP corn-soybean meal-whey diet with 1.0% chromic oxide (control, 9 litters), this diet with 2.7% ovalbumin added as a dietary antigen (ovalbumin, 14 litters), or no creep feed (unexposed, 11 litters). At weaning, pigs within a litter were fed a 20% CP corn-soybean meal diet either with or without 2.7% ovalbumin. Creep-fed litters began eating at 11 d of age and disappearance of creep feed increased linearly until weaning (P less than .01). However, based on the chronic oxide coloring of the feces, total creep feed consumption was quite variable from pig to pig (13 to 194 g) and from litter to litter (107 to 1,550 g). Preweaning daily gain was similar between creep-fed and noncreep-fed litters; larger litters generally had lower daily gains (P less than .09) and less feed disappearance per pig (P less than .02). Weekly blood sampling showed that pigs fed the antigen diet had a higher (P less than .001) antibody titer to ovalbumin at 14, 21 and 28 d of age than did pigs fed the control diet or pigs unexposed to creep feed. At 56 and 63 d of age, all pigs given an ovalbumin injection at 49 d (1 ml containing 3 mg of ovalbumin) had responded (P less than .001) to injection, with the lowest titers for pigs fed the control creep diet and the highest titers for pigs fed the ovalbumin creep diet; titers were intermediate for pigs not fed creep. Regardless of preweaning or postweaning treatment, most pigs began scouring 4 to 5 d postweaning; scouring peaked at d 10 and returned to normal after d 15. Although the magnitude of difference was small, creep-fed pigs tended to scour more than pigs not fed creep (P less than .01). Postweaning performance was not influenced by preweaning treatments.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Antibody Formation; Diarrhea; Eating; Female; Hemagglutination Tests; Litter Size; Male; Ovalbumin; Random Allocation; Regression Analysis; Swine; Swine Diseases; Weaning; Weight Gain