QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Suttle, N. F. Articles by Jones, D. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Suttle, N. F. Articles by Jones, D. G.

Recent Developments in Trace Element Metabolism and Function: Trace Elements, Disease Resistance and Immune Responsiveness in Ruminants¹

Moredun Research Institute, 408 Gilmerton Rd, Edinburgh, Scotland EH17 7JH

Evidence for the influence of trace elements on disease resistance in ruminants is reviewed with emphasis on susceptibility to infection in vivo during the more common deficiencies (copper, selenium and cobalt). Copper deficiency associated with increases in pasture molybdenum increased the susceptibility of lambs to microbial infections. Under experimental conditions, dietary molybdenum decreased the establishment of abomasal and intestinal nematodes but not their pathogenicity to lambs. Molybdenum may enhance inflammatory responses leading to parasite rejection by the host. Decreased incidence of metritis in selenium-treated dairy cows provides a rare example of an association between selenium deficiency and decreased disease resistance. Improved antibody responses following selenium administration have also been found in sheep. Cobalt deficiency has reduced lamb survival and increased susceptibility to parasitic infection transiently in cattle and lastingly in sheep. In copper-, selenium- or cobalt-deficient sheep and cattle, there are many reports of impaired leucocyte and lymphocyte responses to in vitro challenges, but their relevance to disease resistance in vivo is unproven. Disease resistance may have priority for limited micronutrient supplies, leaving other processes vulnerable.

KEY WORDS: • sheep • cattle • trace element deficiency • immune response • parasites • copper • selenium • cobalt • molybdenum

¹ Presented as part of the 29th Annual Ruminant Nutrition Conference: Recent Developments in Trace Element Metabolism and Function, given at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Las Vegas, NV, May 1–5, 1988 and supported by grants from American Cyanamid Company; Cargill, Nutrena Feed Division; Carl S. Akey, Inc.; Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc.; Lilly Research Laboratories; Monsanto Co.; Pitman-Moore, Inc.; Schering Animal Health; and Zinpro Corp.

Manuscript received 28 October 1988. Revision accepted 24 February 1989.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. C. Duff and M. L. Galyean BOARD-INVITED REVIEW: Recent advances in management of highly stressed, newly received feedlot cattle J Anim Sci, March 1, 2007; 85(3): 823 - 840. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]