Dissertation

Rumen Protected Beta-Carotene and its Effects on Jersey Cow Immunity

Swanson, Katherine Lynn

2014

Overview

Beta-carotene has previously been shown to improve immune function through its antioxidant properties. Whey protein isolate (WPI) gels have been proven to protect fatty acids and carotenoids from degradation by rumen microbes. Whether or not beta-carotene degradation in the rumen affects its ability to improve immune function is unclear, and even the amount of degradation that occurs in the rumen is still unknown. In this study WPI gels were used to assess whether or not rumen degradation affects the ability of beta-carotene to aid immune function. A 2 x 2 Latin square design was used with eight lactating Jersey cows all receiving both diets throughout the two period study. One diet consisted of 50g of grain, 1.7g of liquid beta-carotene, 1.7g of WPI, 1.3g of soy oil, 5g of molasses, and 20g cornmeal added to the normal TMR daily in the morning. The second diet consisted of a protein gel mixture of the 1.7g beta-carotene, 1.7g whey protein isolate, and 1.3g soy oil, as well as 50g of grain, 5g of molasses and 20g cornmeal being added to the TMR daily in the morning. Each period lasted 21 days with a 14 day washout period in between each research period. Blood was collected via the jugular vein on days 1, 8, 15, 18, 20, and 21 before feedings. All samples were analyzed within six hours of collection. Blood was sent to Idexx laboratories for a basic CBC while whole blood killing, IFN-γ production, and TNF-α production were measured through the use of kits and standard protocol procedures. There were no differences found between diets for whole blood killing, IFN-γ production, TNF-α production, white blood cell count, or lymphocyte count. More importantly, neutrophil and monocyte counts were found to be higher in the group receiving the gel diet during the first period, although this difference was not significant (p values of 0.2927 and 0.4924 respectively). This data would indicate that rumen protected beta-carotene does not have a significantly different effect on immune function when compared to free beta-carotene, but its effects on neutrophil and monocyte production still needs to be further analyzed. Further studies are needed to determine the amount of degradation, if any, of beta-carotene in the rumen and other possible effects this degradation may have on the immune system.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Animal sciences / Immunology
• ISBN: 9781321609981, 1321609981