Relationship of vitamin E supplementation and antimicrobial treatment with acute-phase protein responses in cattle affected by naturally acquired respiratory tract disease.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate serum concentrations of fibrinogen (Fib), haptoglobin (Hap), serum amyloid-A (SAA), and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) with clinical respiratory tract disease and response to treatment in transport-stressed feedlot cattle fed vitamin E-supplemented diets.


METHODS
387 heifer calves (mean initial weight, 197 kg).


METHODS
Calves purchased from an order buyer were delivered to a feedlot to study the effects of dietary supplementation with 2,000 IU of vitamin E for 0, 7, 14, or 28 days after arrival. Serum or plasma Fib, Hap, SAA, and AGP concentrations were measured on days 0, 7, and 28 after arrival as well as at the time of treatment for respiratory tract disease with antimicrobial drugs and after completion of treatment.


RESULTS
Vitamin E supplementation was associated with decreased treatment costs. In cattle that were not recognized as sick or responded positively to 1 antimicrobial treatment, serum Hap concentrations were significantly lower on days 0 and 7 than concentrations for cattle that required > 1 treatment. Serum Hap concentrations and ratios of Hap to SAA on day 0 significantly correlated with the number of antimicrobial treatments required. Serum Hap concentrations at the time of initial treatment were significantly lower for cattle that required only 1 treatment, compared with those that required > 1 treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum Hap concentrations are of potential value for use in assessing feedlot cattle that may become ill as a result of respiratory tract disease and for use in monitoring treatment efficacy.
Carter
Jeffrey N
JN
Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA.
Meredith
Glacia L
GL
Montelongo
Marie
M
Gill
Donald R
DR
Krehbiel
Clinton R
CR
Payton
Mark E
ME
Confer
Anthony W
AW
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018942:Macrolides; D011897:Random Allocation; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D013839:Thiamphenicol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015645:Tylosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D018942:Macrolides; D014810:Vitamin E; C053503:ceftiofur; C035534:florfenicol; D013839:Thiamphenicol; C052319:tilmicosin; D015645:Tylosin