Health and ruminal variables were intensively measured during adaptation to grain-based diets in 6 beef cattle with fistulated rumens. The cows had been maintained on prairie grass hay-supplemented diets, and were converted to a grain-based finishing ration by feeding each successive diet (diets 1-4, respectively) for a period of 7 days. Each cow was evaluated and samples were obtained 3 times each day for the first 5 days that each diet was fed. Health variables monitored were rectal temperature, pulse, respiratory and rumen motility rates, fecal consistency, demeanor, blood pH, and blood glucose and L(+) lactate concentrations. Ruminal variables monitored were pH and glucose, DL-lactate, and volatile fatty acid concentrations of rumen contents. Data were analyzed by use of a multivariate ANOVA. We determined that most of the health variables were within reference rang limits throughout the adaptation period; however, analysis of pulse and respiratory rates indicated that diets 2 and 4 were stressful. Although blood pH continually decreased during feeding of the 4 diets (7.38 to 7.30), blood L(+) lactate and glucose concentrations had large increases only within diet 4. The pH of ruminal contents decreased progressively from 6.8 to 5.3. Rumen glucose concentration was low (< 1 micromole/ml), except with diet 4 in which values were 8 times higher than for other diets. By the end of the study, the ruminal contents of all animals were acidic (pH < 5.5), and, on the basis of higher than background amounts of ruminal glucose and DL-lactate, it was determined that rumen microbial equilibrium had not yet been achieved. Analysis of results of this study suggested that ruminal imbalance could be evaluated by monitoring pulse and respiratory rates, blood pH, and blood glucose concentrations. Assessment of the rumen alone could be accomplished by monitoring the variables of rumen pH, rumen glucose, and DL-lactate concentrations.

Effects of the following treatments on abomasal and duodenal myoelectric activity in yearling cattle were studied: 2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NACL); 0.07 mg of bethanechol (BET)/kg of body weight; 0.1 mg of metoclopramide (MET)/kg; and 0.07 mg of bethanechol and 0.1 mg of metoclopramide (BETMET)/kg. All treatments were administered SC during the early part of phase I of the migrating myoelectric complex Myoelectric signals were recorded for 4 hours after administration of the treatments from 1 electrode in the antrum and 3 electrodes in the duodenum. For the antral spike rate (ASR), there was no significant difference among treatments during the first hour, but the ASR was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during hours 2 to 4 after treatment with BETMET, compared with ASR for MET alone. The duodenal spike rate (DSR) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater during the first hour after administration of BETMET than after the other treatments. After administration of BET, DSR was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than after MET or NACL. There was no difference in DSR after MET, compared with DSR after NACL. There was no significant difference in DSR among treatments during the second and third hours. The total antegrade propagating spike (TAPS) count was greater after administration of BETMET in all hours, compared with the other treatments. The ratio of TAPS to total spikes on the orad-most duodenal electrode was significantly (P < 0.05) greater after BETMET during hours 1 and 2.

We investigated the biochemical composition of blood from Holstein cows, native breed (criollas), and cows descended from fighting bulls (Vacas de lidia) raised at an altitude of 3,000 m (moderately high altitude, MHA), and compared the results with those from Holsteins and cows of similar genetic ancestry as the criollas (scrub cows), both raised at sea level (SL), to determine blood biochemical values characteristic of adaptation to high altitude. Only potassium and calcium concentrations were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was lower in MHA cows, with the exception of Vacas de lidia. Serum bicarbonate concentration was lower in MHA cows; this finding can be explained by hyperventilation in the hypoxic environment. Serum magnesium concentration was lower in SL and MHA Holsteins than in other groups. Serum phosphate concentration was lower in scrub cows, MHA Holsteins, and criollas than in other groups. Cholesterol concentrations were lower in SL Holsteins, whereas triglycerides were higher in scrub cows and MHA Vacas de lidia. Concentration of high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater in Vacas de lidia and less in MHA criollas than in the other groups. Uric acid and total protein were higher in MHA groups. Using radioimmunoassay for human proteins, thyroxine-binding globulin was undetectable. Total and free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were higher in scrub cows, followed by Vacas de lidia; lower values were detected in SL and MHA Holsteins and MHA criollas.

Biological responses to recombinant DNA-derived bovine interferon alpha (rBoIFN-alpha I1) by bovine alveolar macrophages were examined by measuring viral yield reduction and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2',5'-OAS) production by IFN-treated cells. In vitro IFN pretreatment of alveolar macrophages reduced viral yield in cultures challenged exposed with parainfluenza-3 virus, compared with control cultures. In vitro treatment of alveolar macrophages with IFN also resulted in increased 2',5'-OAS activity. The 2',5'-OAS activity was measured in alveolar macrophages and blood mononuclear leukocytes of calves injected im with 3.6 X 10(6) U of rBoIFN-alpha I1/kg of body weight. The IFN action was monitored by measuring 2',5'-OAS activity of blood mononuclear leukocytes beginning 6 days before and ending 24 hours after IFN treatment. The 2',5'-OAS activity in the blood mononuclear leukocytes sharply increased 24 hours after IFN treatment, indicating response to IFN. The alveolar macrophages collected from the same calves 24 hours after IFN administration also had increased 2',5'-OAS activity, compared with alveolar macrophages from the same calves collected 6 days before treatment. Increased 2',5'-OAS activity indicates: a possible mechanism of IFN action in cattle that may be responsible for viral yield reduction; potential use of high enzyme activity as a marker for IFN induction; and potential use of 2',5'-OAS activity as a marker for determining effects of IFN on bovine macrophages and other cells of the bovine immune system.

Sixty-three drugs, belonging to 10 chemical classes, were tested in vitro to determine effects on phagocytosis of 32P-labeled Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophils isolated from milk. Within each class, the number of antibiotics tested were: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID; 8), peptolids (2), aminoglycosides (8), tetracyclines and fusidic acid (4), beta-lactam antibiotics (25), secretolytic agents (2), macrolides (5), polypeptides (2), and antibacterial quinolones (8). Percentage of phagocytosis was determined after incubating (2 hours at 37 C) 12.5 X 10(6) viable neutrophils, 200 X 10(6) 32P-labeled S aureus with antibiotics and 5% skimmed milk. Concentrations of antibiotics tested were 1,000, 500, and 10 microgram/ml of incubation media. When compared with nonantibiotic controls at the highest drug concentration, the NSAID acetylsalicylic acid and centrophenoxine increased phagocytosis 23.2 and 8.8%, respectively, and benzydamine, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, and acetominophen decreased phagocytosis 22.8, 14.2, 9.8, 27.0, and 18.2%, respectively. The peptolids novobiocin and pristinamycin decreased phagocytosis 24.5 and 22.0%, respectively. The aminoglycosides tobramycin, amikacin, and gentamicin decreased phagocytosis 21.1, 15.4, and 19.2%, respectively. For the tetracyclines and fusidic acid, minocycline and doxycycline decreased phagocytosis 39.8 and 54.2%, respectively. The beta-lactam antibiotics carfecillin, cephapirin sodium, and cephacetrile sodium decreased phagocytosis 11.2, 12.8, and 23.8%, respectively. The secretolytic agent, bromhexin, increased phagocytosis 10.8%. These data indicate that the potential for enhanced phagocytosis exists through use of some NSAID, and for depressed phagocytosis through use of aminoglycosides, peptolids, tetracyclines, and beta-lactams, as well as certain other NSAID.

Stimulation of bovine alveolar macrophages with calcium ionophore A23187 resulted in marked production of leukotriene (LT)B4 and a lesser increase in thromboxane (TX)B2, whereas opsonized zymosan (OPZ) resulted in production of TXB2 and relatively small increases in LTB4 and prostaglandin (PG)F2 alpha. Alveolar macrophages incubated with recombinant bovine interferon-gamma or lipopolysaccharide, and subsequently stimulated with A23187 or OPZ, had altered arachidonic acid metabolism, producing markedly increased amounts of TXB2 and PGF2 alpha, and slightly increased LTB4. Incubation of alveolar macrophages with lipopolysaccharide had a more profound effect on the increased amounts of TXB2 and PGF2 alpha, observed in response to stimulation with A23187 or OPZ, than did incubation with interferon-gamma. Alveolar macrophages incubated with recombinant bovine interferon-alpha 1-1 also produced slightly increased amounts of LTB4 when stimulated with A23187 or OPZ. Altered arachidonic acid metabolism by alveolar macrophages exposed to interferons and lipopolysaccharide may contribute to the development of pulmonary inflammation, such as in the early stages of bacterial pneumonia following viral infections that induce interferon production.

The cytotoxic effect of Moraxella bovis 118F on bovine neutrophils was evaluated and characterized by use of a 51Cr release assay. Neutrophils harvested from healthy adult cattle were labeled with 51Cr. The leukocidic activity produced by M bovis 118F, a hemolytic strain of M bovis, was heat-labile. A live culture of strain 118F, at a ratio of 100 bacteria/neutrophil, released 97.7% of the 51Cr from labeled neutrophils. Neither a heat-killed preparation of M bovis 118F nor a live or heat-killed preparation of M bovis IBH63 (a nonhemolytic and nonpathogenic strain) induced significant (P > 0.05) release of 51Cr. Moraxella bovis 118F broth culture filtrates prepared for evaluation of leukocidic activity also were evaluated for hemolytic activity. These 2 toxic activities had several characteristics in common. Both were filterable, heat-labile, produced by a hemolytic strain, and were released during early logarithmic phase growth from broth cultures. Leukocidic and hemolytic activities were protected from degradation by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor. Leukocidic and hemolytic activities were dependent on calcium ions. Filtrate resulted in 54.1% 51Cr release from labeled neutrophils and contained 646.7 hemolytic U/ml, respectively, when saline (0.85% NaCl) + 10 mM CaCl2 solution was used as diluent. Neither saline solution nor saline + 10 mM MgCl2 solution supported leukocidic or hemolytic activity. Serum, obtained from several calves 10 to 38 days after M bovis inoculation, substantially neutralized leukocidic and hemolytic activities, compared with paired preinoculation serum samples. In addition, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was detected when the ability of each calf's postinfection serum to neutralize leukocidic activity was compared with the ability of the serum to neutralize hemolytic activity.

The sensitivity of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for bovine IgG serum antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica was compared with that of an indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test. Pasteurella haemolytica serotypes were grown in a chemically defined cell culture medium, and soluble antigens released into the growth medium were used in the ELISA and IHA test. An ELISA with serotype-1 antigen consistently detected antibody in sera that were positive by IHA test (correlation, 99%). Sera reacting with serotype-1 ELISA antigens also reacted with ELISA antigens prepared from other serotypes. Although ELISA titers determined by the 2 methods were approximately linear. Titer increases detected in paired serum samples by either test were similar. The ELISA was more sensitive than was the IHA in detecting colostral IgG antibody in serum of newborn calves. The ELISA uses a simple, stable antigen preparation and detects antibody to P haemolytica serotypes that commonly infect cattle.

Bovine pulmonary artery cells in cell culture were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) purified from Pasteurella haemolytica serotype A1. This resulted in severe membrane damage, which caused a time- and dose-dependent release of lactate dehydrogenase that was first detected 4 hours after exposure and reached a maximal mean release of 67% after 24 hours of exposure to 1 microgram of LPS/ml. Mean release of 51chromium followed by a similar pattern and reached a maximum of 61% following 24 hours of exposure to 10 micrograms of LPS/ml. Morphologically, endothelial cells responded to LPS by marked cell membrane retraction, the formation of numerous cytoplasmic blebs, and ruffling of the cell membrane. Subsequently, the cells became round and detached. Cell detachment reached a mean of 95% following 8 hours of exposure to 1 microgram of LPS/ml. These studies demonstrated that P haemolytica LPS is capable of causing direct damage to bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells, which may be important in the pathogenesis of bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis.