article · Journal of Dairy Science
Blood immune cells from five three-week-old Holstein calves were studied in laboratory cultures to evaluate how supplementing methionine, choline, and taurine affects gene expression. Researchers measured genes linked to the methionine cycle, cellular signalling, inflammation, and pathogen recognition. Supplementation with all three nutrients increased homocysteine synthesis via the upregulation of the SAHH gene. In addition, the treatments reduced the expression of several inflammatory mediators, including CXCR1, IL6, TLR4, and TNFA, indicating a dampening of inflammatory activation in the immune cells. Choline and taurine also altered the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant system, specifically GCLC and GPX1. The data further revealed that excessive supplementation could disrupt inflammatory and oxidative balances, pointing to cytotoxicity thresholds. Overall, these compounds influence pathways governing immune response and cytoprotection against oxidative stress in pre-weaning calves.
Young dairy calves are vulnerable to disease and oxidative stress before weaning. Demonstrating that specific dietary compounds directly modulate immune and antioxidant gene expression provides a biological basis for refining young animal nutrition. Identifying safe limits is equally critical, ensuring that future supplementation strategies support calf immune defences without triggering harmful cellular toxicity.
This work points towards potential applications in the formulation of specialised calf milk replacers and nutritional feed additives for dairy producers and feed manufacturers. Because the findings are derived exclusively from in vitro testing on immune cells from five calves, the research is at an early experimental stage. In vivo feeding trials and dosage optimisation are necessary before any commercial product can be developed.
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Isolated PMNL from neonatal calves were used to evaluate the effect of Met, choline, and taurine supplementation on mRNA expression of genes related to the Met cycle and innate immunity. Five neonatal Holstein calves (3 wk old) were used for PMNL isolation and in vitro culture. The selected genes were related to the 1-carbon and Met cycles, cell signaling and cytokine mediators, inflammation, antimicrobial and killing mechanism associated genes, immune mediators, adhesion, and pathogen recognition. The results indicated that supplementation of Met, choline, and taurine increased homocysteine synthesis through upregulation of SAHH. Furthermore, the lower expression of CXCR1, IL10, IL6, IRAK1, NFKB1, NR3C1, SELL, TLR4, and TNFA indicated that all treatments mitigated the inflammatory activation of blood PMNL. As indicated by the modulation of GCLC and GPX1, choline and taurine supplementation also affected the antioxidant system. However, data indicate that oversupplementation could alter the inflammatory and oxidative status, suggesting the existence of cytotoxicity thresholds. Overall, multiple biological processes in calf PMNL related to inflammatory response and cytoprotection against oxidative stress were affected by Met, choline, and taurine supplementation. These data underscore an important role of these compounds in pre-weaning calf nutritional management.
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DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-12025
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