Role of Nutrition in Enhancing Immune Response in Calves

Authors

  • Nana Awuku Accra Technical University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47672/ejah.2378

Keywords:

Immune Response, Calves, Nutrition

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the role of nutrition in enhancing immune response in calves

Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.

Findings: The study revealed that proper nutrition ensures that calves receive essential nutrients necessary for the optimal functioning of their immune system. Key nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals are critical in the development and maintenance of immune cells and the production of antibodies. For instance, adequate intake of colostrum, the first milk produced by the mother, provides calves with vital antibodies and immunoglobulins that are crucial for early immune defense. Additionally, specific nutrients like vitamin E and selenium have been shown to boost the immune response by protecting cells from oxidative stress and supporting the function of white blood cells. Omega-3 fatty acids also play a role in modulating inflammation and enhancing the immune response. Furthermore, balanced nutrition helps maintain gut health, which is essential for the development of a robust immune system, as a significant portion of the immune system resides in the gastrointestinal tract.

Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Ecological systems theory, nutritional immunology and optimal foraging theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the role of nutrition in enhancing immune response in calves. The research on nutrition and immune response in calves has significant implications for feeding practices and herd management. The informs the development of guidelines and regulations aimed at improving animal welfare and production efficiency.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akinola, A. O., & Balogun, S. K. (2021). Immune response to yellow fever vaccination in Nigerian populations. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 103, 247-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.043

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.

Brown, A. (2020). Effects of probiotic supplementation on gut health and immune function in calves. Veterinary Science Advances, 61(4), 290-305.

Brown, A., & Williams, C. (2021). Impact of selenium supplementation on immune function in veal calves. Journal of Animal Science, 99 (5), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab121

Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and immune function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211

Gammoh, N. Z., & Rink, L. (2017). Zinc in infection and inflammation. Nutrients, 9(6), 624. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9060624

Garcia, M., . (2020). Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and immune modulation in beef calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 103 (9), 7890-7899. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18281

Garcia, M., Thompson, L., and Wilson, K. (2021). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and immune responses in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(3), 1687-1701.

Gordon, S. M. (2019). Antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly. Journal of Immunology Research, 2019, 1024957. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1024957

Gupta, R., Mishra, R., & Bhatnagar, T. (2021). International collaboration and its impact on vaccine distribution and immunological research in India. Journal of Global Health, 11, 04012. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.11.04012

Hemilä, H., & Chalker, E. (2019). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019(1), CD000980. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4

Hoffmann, P. R., & Berry, M. J. (2008). The influence of selenium on immune responses. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 52(11), 1273-1280. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700330

Kaguthi, G., Nduba, V., & Mbondo, M. (2021). Vaccination coverage and its impact on immune response in sub-Saharan Africa. African Health Sciences, 21(1), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i1.16

Kumar, R., & Singh, P. (2020). Immune response to measles vaccination in India. Vaccine, 38(45), 7123-7130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.09.042

Lee, D. (2018). Selenium and vitamin E supplementation and immune responses in calves exposed to environmental stressors. Journal of Agricultural Science, 62(5), 467-480.

Lee, H., & Miller, J. (2019). Maternal nutrition and immune development in newborn calves. Animal Nutrition, 5 (4), 305-312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2019.07.001

Martineau, A. R., Jolliffe, D. A., Hooper, R. L., Greenberg, L., Aloia, J. F., Bergman, P., ... & Griffiths, C. J. (2017). Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. BMJ, 356, i6583. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i6583

Martinez, J., (2018). Probiotic supplementation and immune function in dairy calves. Journal of Veterinary Science, 21 (3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.1.8

Martinez, R. (2023). Influence of zinc supplementation on immune parameters in calves during the weaning transition. Livestock Research, 88(1), 35-50.

Mwangi, A. W., & Otieno, J. K. (2019). Evaluation of rotavirus vaccine-induced immune response in Kenyan infants. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 65(6), 535-543. https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmz055

Nguyen, T. T., & Pham, M. H. (2021). Immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in Vietnam. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 17(2), 321-329. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2020.1831866

Nguyen, T., & Patel, R. (2020). Dietary fiber supplementation and immune responses in beef calves. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 104 (2), 987-996. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13354

Nkosi, T., & Dlamini, Z. (2020). Immune responses to the tuberculosis vaccine in South African populations. Infection and Immunity, 88(7), e00042-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00042-20

Osorio, J. S., Trevisi, E., Ji, P., Drackley, J. K., & Luchini, D. (2018). Biomarkers of inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative stress in blood, liver, and milk reveal a better immunometabolic status in peripartal cows supplemented with Smartamine M or MetaSmart. Journal of Dairy Science, 101 (7), 5651-5663. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13802

Robinson, T. (2019). Effects of colostrum quality on immune development in newborn calves. Farm Animal Health Journal, 42(2), 210-225.

Roy, S., Kumar, A., Tripathi, A. K., & Lakra, W. S. (2020). Immune response and disease resistance in fish and shellfish under conditions of environmental stress. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 28(4), 523-533. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2020.1772445

Santos, R., & Oliveira, T. (2019). Immune response to the dengue vaccine in Brazil. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 137), e0007385. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007385

Sassi, F., Tamone, C., & D’Amelio, P. (2018). Vitamin D: Nutrient, hormone, and immunomodulator. Nutrients, 10(11), 1656. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111656

Smith, H. J., & Johnson, D. (2018). Efficacy of HPV vaccination in the UK: Immune response and disease prevention. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 18(6), 672-680. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30140-2

Smith, J., and Johnson, R. (2019). Impact of dietary supplementation with vitamin C on immune function in young calves. Journal of Animal Nutrition, 54(2), 124-136.

Smith, K., & Johnson, D. (2019). Vitamin D supplementation and immune function in dairy calves. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 251, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114269

Stephens, D. W., & Krebs, J. R. (1986). Foraging theory. Princeton University Press.

Tanaka, Y., Ogawa, T., & Ito, M. (2021). Immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in Japan. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 41(5), 1009-1016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-021-00986-3

Thompson, R., & Clark, E. (2022). Vitamin E supplementation and oxidative stress in weaned calves. Livestock Science, 251, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105372

Tran, H. M., Le, T. H., & Vo, T. K. (2019). Enhancing vaccine coverage and immune response in Vietnam: A review of recent advancements. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 12(9), 421-428. https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.268405

Downloads

Published

2024-08-29

How to Cite

Awuku, N. (2024). Role of Nutrition in Enhancing Immune Response in Calves. European Journal of Animal Health, 5(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.47672/ejah.2378

Issue

Section

Articles