Journal article
Assessing adaptive immune response phenotypes in Australian Holstein-Friesian heifers in a pasture-based production system
JW Aleri, BC Hine, MF Pyman, PD Mansell, WJ Wales, B Mallard, AD Fisher
Journal of Animal Science | OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC | Published : 2015
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the repeatability of ranking Holstein-Friesian heifers reared in an Australian pasture-based production system for immune responses (IR) when ranking was based on secondary versus tertiary IR. Further objectives were to investigate associations between IR and stress responsiveness, ADG and resistance to internal parasites. A total of 100 heifers were IR phenotyped at 5 to 6 mo of age and again at 12 to 13 mo of age using commercial vaccine antigens to induce measurable IR. Antibody production to tetanus toxoid (TT) was used to assess antibody-mediated IR (AMIR), and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to vaccine antigens were used to assess ce..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This study was funded by a grant from the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI). The authors acknowledge Garry Anderson and Sue Finch from The University of Melbourne (UOM) for the statistical advice; Eric Johnson for rearing the animals; and Melanie Conley, Bronwyn Stevens, and Christine Anderson (UOM); Greg Morris, Leah Marett, Josie Thornhill, and Jae Greenwood (DEPI); and Dominic Niemeyer (CSIRO) for their valuable technical support.