Shipping suppresses lymphocyte blastogenic responses in Angus and Brahman X Angus feeder calves

An experiment using 40 Angus or Brahman X Angus preconditioned feeder calves was conducted to evaluate the influence of shipping on cellular immune reactivity. Steers were allotted on the basis of weight and breed to a control or shipped group. Shipped steers were trucked 700 km to a feedlot; control steers remained at the ranch of origin. Total and differential leukocyte counts, phytohemagglutinin skin-test responses, lymphocyte blastogenic responses, monocyte phagocytic function, packed cell volumes and concentrations of plasma cortisol were determined before, immediately after and 1 wk after shipment. At unloading, total leukocytes were increased (P less than .05) in shipped Angus steers. Shipped steers also had higher (P less than .01) numbers of neutrophils. Skin-test responses to phytohemagglutinin were higher (P less than .05) in Angus than in Brahman X Angus steers, but shipping did not influence the reaction. Lymphocyte blastogenic responses were lower (P less than .05) in shipped steers; however, cortisol levels in plasma were not elevated (P greater than .10) in shipped calves. Monocyte phagocytosis and packed cell volume were not influenced by shipping. These data suggest that shipped steers have suppressed lymphocyte blastogenic responses.