Identification of quantitative trait loci governing arthritis severity and humoral responses in the murine model of Lyme disease.

A spectrum of disease severity has been observed in patients with Lyme disease, with approximately 60% of untreated individuals developing arthritis. The murine model of Lyme disease has provided strong evidence that the genetic composition of the host influences the severity of arthritis following infection with Borrelia burgdorferi: infected C3H mice develop severe arthritis while infected C57BL/6N mice develop mild arthritis. Regions of the mouse genome controlling arthritis severity and humoral responses during B. burgdorferi infection were identified in the F2 intercross generation of C3H/HeNCr and C57BL/6NCr mice. Rear ankle swelling measurements identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 4 and 5, while histopathological scoring identified QTL on a unique region of chromosome 5 and on chromosome 11. The identification of QTL unique for ankle swelling or histopathological severity suggests that processes under distinct genetic control are responsible for these two manifestations of Lyme arthritis. Additional QTL that control the levels of circulating Igs induced by B. burgdorferi infection were identified on chromosomes 6, 9, 11, 12, and 17. Interestingly, the magnitude of the humoral response was not correlated with the severity of arthritis in infected F2 mice. This work defines several genetic loci that regulate either the severity of arthritis or the magnitude of humoral responses to B. burgdorferi infection in mice, with implications toward understanding the host-pathogen interactions involved in disease development.

Supplemental protein for beef cattle grazing dormant intermediate wheatgrass pasture: effects on nutrient quality, forage intake, digesta kinetics, grazing behavior, ruminal fermentation, and digestion.

Sixteen ruminally cannulated yearling beef cattle (British x British; average BW = 295 +/- 25 kg; three steers and one heifer per treatment) grazing dormant intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium Host) were allotted to four treatments: 1) no supplement (CON); 2) alfalfa hay (ALF; .52% of BW); 3) cottonseed meal (CSM; .22% of BW); and 4) corn gluten meal-wheat bran feed (CGMWBF; .36% of BW). Supplements were formulated (DM basis) so that intakes were isonitrogenous and were provided once daily (0700). Sampling periods were in February (FEB; .96% N in masticate), March (MAR; 1.06% N in masticate), and April (APR; 1.12% N in masticate) following an initial 21-d adaptation period. Daily grazing time was 1.1 to 1.5 h longer (P < .05) for CON cattle than for supplemented cattle. Forage OM intake (OMI) was not altered (P > .15) by supplemental protein; however, total OMI was greater (P < .04) for supplemented than for unsupplemented cattle. Harvesting efficiency (grams of OM intake-kilogram of BW-1.minute spent grazing-1) was greater (P < .05) for cattle fed CSM than for those fed CGF or CON; cattle fed ALF were intermediate in harvesting efficiency. Ruminal fluid kinetics, in situ rate and extent of NDF digestion, and total VFA concentration were not influenced (P > .10) by type of supplemental protein. Ruminal NH3 N concentration exhibited a treatment x sampling time interaction (P < .05). Type of protein supplement did not seem to affect most digestion measures; however, harvesting efficiency was influenced by supplement type.

Steers grazing intermediate wheatgrass at various stages of maturity: effects on nutrient quality, forage intake, digesta kinetics, ruminal fermentation, and serum hormones and metabolites.

Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (average BW of 495 +/- 5 kg) grazed a 32-ha, nonirrigated, intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium Host) pasture from April 10 through December 7. Sample collections were conducted in May, June, September, and November 1989. Total masticate N decreased (P < .05) and bound N increased (P < .05) with advancing forage maturity. Masticate in vitro OM disappearance was lower (P < .05) in November (40.5%) than in May (62.0%). Organic matter intake (grams/kilogram of BW) decreased (P < .05) at each sampling date (May = 35.7, June = 26.8, September = 20.0, November = 14.9). Correspondingly, particulate passage rate decreased and gastrointestinal mean retention time increased (P < .05) with advancing forage maturity. Extent and rate of NDF digestion were greater (P < .05) during May and June than during September and November. Ruminal NH3 N and total VFA concentrations were greater (P < .05) during May and June than during September and November. Advancing forage maturity did not alter (P > .10) serum growth hormone concentrations; however, nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were greater (P < .05) during September and November than during May and June. Serum insulin-like growth factor I decreased (P < .05) with advancing forage maturity. Seasonal changes in forage intake and ruminal fermentation suggest that animal performance might be increased if supplemental energy is provided early in the growing season of intermediate wheatgrass; however, supplemental protein would likely be needed as wheatgrass matures.

Supplemental methionine and time of supplementation effects on ruminal fermentation, digesta kinetics, and in situ dry matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance in cattle.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of methionine supplementation on ruminal fermentation and digesta kinetics. In Exp. 1, nine ruminally cannulated beef heifers (average initial BW = 527 kg) in a crossover design were fed low-quality grass hay and cottonseed meal with or without 11.4 g of supplemental methionine (polysaccharide-coated). Particulate and fluid kinetics, rate of DM and NDF disappearance, ruminal VFA and NH3 N concentrations, and pH were not altered (P > .10) by supplemental methionine; however, ruminal purine concentration was greater (P < .05) in methionine-supplemented heifers than in unsupplemented heifers. In Exp. 2, 12 ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (average initial BW = 622 kg) grazing a fescue pasture were allotted to one of three groups: no supplemental methionine (CON) or 11.4 g of supplemental methionine fed at 0700 (AM) or at 1200 (PM). Forage intake, particulate kinetics, ruminal fluid kinetics, pH, VFA, and NH3 N concentrations were not altered (P > .10) by supplemental methionine or supplementation time. In situ rate of DM and NDF disappearance was greater (P < .05) in supplemented steers than in CON steers; AM steers exhibited faster (P < .05) rates than PM steers. Overall, methionine supplementation of low-quality forage increased ruminal purine concentration but did not alter in situ fermentation or digesta passage, whereas supplementation at 0700, but not at 1200, of steers grazing fescue forage increased rate of NDF fermentation.