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Effects on Animal Health and Immune Function.
1Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2471 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Summary
Maternal nutrition during gestation programs offspring immunity. Insufficient nutrient intake in pregnant cows reduces calf immunity, increasing disease susceptibility like scours and respiratory illness.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Immunology
- Animal science
Background:
- Developmental programming links early-life conditions to later-life health outcomes, observed in human chronic diseases.
- Livestock models are crucial for studying developmental programming's impact on production and animal welfare.
- Adequate maternal nutrition is essential for fetal development, particularly immune system maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maternal nutritional status during gestation on offspring immunity in livestock.
- To highlight the importance of dam nutrition for preventing calf diseases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized epidemiological studies and livestock models.
- Focused on the nutritional status of dams (beef and dairy cows) during gestation.
- Assessed the immune status of offspring (calves) and their susceptibility to diseases.
Main Results:
- Insufficient nutrient intake in gestating dams leads to calves with compromised immunity.
- Calves born to undernourished dams exhibit increased susceptibility to diseases such as scours, respiratory disease, and mastitis.
Conclusions:
- Maternal nutrition during gestation is a critical determinant of offspring immune function in livestock.
- Optimizing dam nutrition is vital for enhancing calf immunity and reducing disease incidence, impacting both animal welfare and agricultural productivity.
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