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Nitrite/Nitrate responses to endotoxin in calves
1Division of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Summary
In young veal calves, intravenous arginine did not significantly increase nitric oxide (NOx) responses to endotoxin. Oral arginine and iron supplementation also failed to enhance NOx levels in these young animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) levels increase in cattle after endotoxin challenge, a response potentially modulated by arginine and iron.
- Arginine is a substrate for nitric oxide production, and iron status can influence its metabolic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of intravenous arginine infusion on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation in young veal calves following endotoxin administration.
- To determine if oral supplementation with arginine and iron influences NOx responses to endotoxin in young veal calves.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous infusion of arginine followed by intravenous injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin in 10-week-old veal calves.
- Oral supplementation with arginine and/or iron in 8-week-old veal calves before endotoxin administration.
- Measurement of plasma and urinary nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) concentrations, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and plasma iron and arginine levels.
Main Results:
- Intravenous arginine infusion in young veal calves led to increased urinary NOx excretion but not plasma NOx concentrations after endotoxin challenge.
- Oral arginine supplementation alone or in combination with iron did not significantly enhance plasma or urinary NOx responses to endotoxin in young veal calves.
- Endotoxin administration increased rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate in all supplemented groups, but plasma NOx concentrations showed minimal or transient increases.
Conclusions:
- The stimulation of NOx responses to endotoxin by intravenous arginine is significantly weaker in young veal calves compared to older cattle.
- Oral arginine supplementation, with or without iron, does not effectively modify NOx responses to endotoxin in young veal calves.
- Iron supplementation increased plasma iron concentrations, while arginine supplementation increased plasma arginine and urea, but these did not translate to enhanced NOx production post-endotoxin.