Nothing is more frustrating than weaning a nice group of calves only to have a major outbreak of pneumonia a week later.  Or to buy a single-source group of calves and have to treat what seems like every other one just days after arrival.  Too frequently when thinking of bolstering the immune system, the answer is to add another vaccine. While vaccines are a proven way of increasing the antibodies of the adaptive immune system, many other cells and components of the innate immune system should not be overlooked in our efforts to keep animals healthy.

The innate immune system contains non-specific cells and barriers to prevent infections.  Think of them as the local police force; patrolling, looking for invaders that don’t belong while also incorporating walls (the skin) and traps (mucous and pH) that will prevent infection.  If these mechanisms are unable to successfully clear an infection, the special ops (adaptive immune system and antibodies) come in and clean things up.  For cattle to remain healthy, both the adaptive and innate immune systems must be functioning.

If vaccines can improve the adaptive immune response prior to a disease challenge, what can be done to improve the innate immune system either prior to or during an actual disease challenge?  A recently published study completed by researchers at Iowa State University demonstrated that injecting trace minerals shortly before or during an actual bacterial disease challenge may reduce the clinical signs of disease. This supports previous research that injectable trace minerals also mitigated the effects of viral challenges.

Iowa State Study¹

Researchers at Iowa State University enrolled 32 Angus-cross steers weighing approximately 640 pounds to evaluate the benefits of injectable trace minerals either before a Mannahemia hemolytica challenge or two days after the challenge. Calves enrolled in the study all had adequate levels of trace minerals as determined by liver biopsy.  As part of the study, all calves received a dose of tulathromycin two days post infection.  Calves were watched daily for changes in health status based upon depression, appetite, respiration, and rectal temperature.  Thoracic ultrasonography was performed to monitor the effects in the lungs. Blood, nasopharyngeal swabs, and bronchoalveolar lavages were all collected to monitor and assess the involvement of the innate immune system.  Researchers concluded that the use of injectable trace minerals can improve an animal’s disease resilience. Researchers also stated that, “even if an animal is considered nutritionally sufficient for certain trace minerals, this may not be sufficient to mount an optimum innate immune response.  In these instances, ITM injection may provide additional support.”

Moving Forward

As we move into the fall weaning season, ranchers and cattlemen across the country will be looking for ways to keep their animals healthy.  Many will reach for vaccines to improve the adaptive immune system of their calves.  Those who also strategically supplement trace minerals by injection will supply the trace minerals necessary for full immune system support.

¹Hong, S., et al. 2024. Biological Trace Element Research.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-024-04251-z

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