Volume 23 • Issue 01 • 2019
When a pathogen or bacteria crosses one of
the body’s barriers, such as the skin, mucous
membrane, or blood vessel linings, the immune
system will detect the invasion. The immune
system then sends signals to cytokines, pro-
inflammatory proteins, indicating that help is
needed. This initiates the movement of white
blood cells toward the site of inflammation,
infection or trauma.
The first responders to the site are white blood
cells called phagocytes. These cells help protect
the body by ingesting harmful foreign particles,
bacteria, and dead or dying cells. There are two
forms of phagocytes:
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Neutrophils are small, granular leukocytes
that quickly appear at the site of a wound and
ingest bacteria.
Monocytes are larger leukocytes that
appear about three days after infection and
scavenge for bacteria, foreign particles, and
dead cellular material left behind by the
neutrophils.
There are also a group of anti-inflammatory
cytokines that help control the pro-inflammatory
cytokine response. However, if there is a lack of
balance between the pro-inflammatory and anti-
inflammatory proteins, the pro-inflammatory
cytokines can send too many monocytes (white
blood cells) to the site, damaging healthy cells and
leading to chronic or prolonged inflammation.
This is the point when an acute inflammatory
response can potentially turn into a chronic
inflammatory response.
epithelial layer of cells lining the gastrointestinal
tract, allowing pathogens and their toxins to
enter the bloodstream due to leaky gut.
Production challenges
A few common results or consequences of
inflammation in livestock and poultry include
decreased carcass and meat quality, decreased
reproductive performance, and increased
lameness. These production challenges involve
an immune response that, if left uncontrolled, can
lead to chronic inflammation.
Reproduction
It is critical for production animals to mount
an effective immune response following the
birthing process in order to effectively eliminate
pathogens that enter the reproductive tract
during the birthing process. It is also important to
repair epithelial tissues damaged during birthing
and replace those with healthy epithelial tissue in
order to help prepare the animal for subsequent
pregnancies. While this process is necessary,
prolonged or chronic inflammation can result in
decreased reproductive performance.
Common sources of inflammation
There are several inflammation sources that
impact livestock and poultry performance and
profitability. Two of the most common sources
are poor gut integrity and heat stress.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract lining serves as an
important barrier to prevent bacteria, pathogens
and their toxins from passing through the
intestinal lining and into the bloodstream. When
a breakdown in the barrier occurs, this can lead
to a condition called leaky gut. When a prolonged
inflammatory response occurs in the GI tract, this
decreases feed intake and animal performance.
When animals are under heat stress, blood flow
is diverted away from the tissues that line the
blood vessels within the stomach, digestive tract,
and other internal organs to the skin, which
facilitates the heat dissipation process. However,
the reduction in blood flow causes a decrease in
the amount of oxygen and energy available to the
It is critical for production animals to mount an effective immune
response following the birthing process in order to effectively
eliminate pathogens that enter the reproductive tract during the
birthing process.
Lameness
Lameness is a significant animal wellness
and economic issue. Lameness negatively
impacts animal locomotion, and is often due to
inflammation. Left uncontrolled, the results can
be reduced milk yield, reduced fertility, and an
increased risk of culling, leading to considerable
economic costs.
Mammary health
Somatic cell count (SCC) is a marker for chronic
inflammation in the udder. By lowering chronic
inflammation in the animal, you can lower SCC,
allowing more energy and nutrients to be used
for milk production versus fighting inflammation.
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