The effect of methionine supplementation on receiving beef steers following a lipopolysaccharide challenge

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation prior to and during a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on the performance and inflammatory biomarkers of receiving beef steers. Steers (n = 65; 295.8 ± 46.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: L0 = Control, receiving no supplement; L1 = 10 g/hd/d rumen-protected methionine (MetaSmart, Adisseo USA Inc., Alpharetta, GA); and L2 = 20 g/hd/d rumen-protected methionine and fed for 40 d at the West Texas A&M University Research Feedlot. On day 40, a subset of steers (n = 32; L0 = 10; L1 = 11; L2 = 11) were transported to the USDA Livestock Issues Research Unit, and on day 41 steers were weighed and fitted with indwelling rectal thermometers and jugular catheters. On day 42, steers were challenged i.v. with LPS (0.25 µg/kg BW). Blood samples were collected at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h relative to the LPS administration at 0 h. Serum was isolated to determine serum chemistry and inflammatory marker concentrations. Whole blood was used for hematology analysis. There were no differences in DMI or ADG (P ≥ 0.75) during 35 d of supplementation. A treatment × time interaction (P = 0.01) occurred for rectal temperature, where L2 steers had the greatest temperature following the challenge (P ≤ 0.05) compared to L1 and L0 steers. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.03) for the change in white blood cells where L0 steers had the greatest change compared to L1 and L2 steers at various timepoints. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.02) for the change in tumor necrosis factor-α concentration, where there was a greater increase in concentration in L0 compared to L1 and L2 steers. Additionally, there was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1β (MIP-1β) concentrations, where concentrations were greater in L0 compared with L1 and L2 steers from 2 to 4 h post-challenge. There was a treatment × time interaction for plasma total protein concentration (P < 0.01) where L0 steers had less plasma total protein compared with L1 and L2 steers, while L1 steers had less plasma total protein than L2 steers at -2 h prior to LPS challenge. These data suggest that methionine supplementation may have an immunomodulatory effect in beef steers that may improve response to pathogens.