A Preliminary study on the effect of cobalt supplementation on RB51 Brucella abortus antibody response in weaned beef calves
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol47no2p159-166Keywords:
bovine, humoral immune function, Brucella abortus, cobalt, weaned beef calves, beef cattle, dairy cattle, energy metabolism, humoral immunity, immune response, lipid metabolism, mineral supplements, vaccines, vitamin B complex, vitamin B12Abstract
Cobalt (Co) is utilized by rumen microbial organisms for synthesis of vitamin B12, a necessary cofactor for vital metabolic pathways in lipid and carbohydrate energy metabolism. Cobalt supplementation has recently attracted attention because of increased carcass weight in feedlot cattle, and increased milk production in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Co supplementation on humoral immune response to Brucella abortus vaccine in weaned beef calves. Twenty-seven beef steers weighing 450 lb±50 lb (204 kg±22.7 kg) were utilized in the study. Calves were randomly assigned to be fed supplemental Co at 0.1, 0.4, or 1.0 mg/kg of body weight in their diet, corresponding to the National Research Council (NRC) recommended level, 4 times the NRC recommended level, and 10 times the NRC recommended level. Higher levels of Co supplementation resulted in increased antibody response (Pâ¤0.004) to RB51 Brucella abortus vaccine.
