Variants of NLRP3 Protein in Haemonchus contortus Infected Sheep: Impact on Immune Cell Responsiveness to LPS In Vitro.

Pathogen recognition is an essential component to achieve the desired outcome of host protection. Nod-like receptor pyrin containing domain 3 (NLRP3) is a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR) with a wide array of agonists, such as PAMPs, DAMPs, ATP, bacterial product and viral products. Stimulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome results in proteolytic activation of IL-1β and IL-18, cell pyroptosis and classically, the induction of proinflammatory responses.

Reducing fecal egg count through selective breeding alters dorper lamb response to Haemonchus contortus in an artificial challenge trial.

Infection by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, can be detrimental to sheep health and performance. Genetic susceptibility to GIN varies between breeds, with those lacking high levels of natural resistance often requiring frequent anthelmintic treatment when facing parasitic challenge. Genetic technology can serve as a tool to decrease GIN susceptibility via selection for sheep with reduced fecal egg count (FEC) estimated breeding values (EBVs).

Effects of a multicomponent microbial feed additive containing prebiotics and probiotics on health, immune status, metabolism, and performance of newly weaned beef steers during a 35-d receiving period.

We examined the effects of dietary supplementation of a multicomponent blend of prebiotics and probiotics on health, immune status, metabolism, and performance of newly weaned beef steers during a 35-d receiving period. Eighty newly weaned crossbred steers (12-hour postweaning; 206 ± 12 kg of body weight [BW]) from a single source were stratified by BW into four pens (20 steers per pen) such that each pen had similar BW at the beginning of the experiment. The pens were randomly assigned to receive a corn silage-based diet with no additive (CON; two pens; = 40 steers) or a basal diet supplemented with SYNB feed additive at an average of 28 g/steer/d (SYNB; two pens; = 40 steers).

Response of Rambouillet Lambs to an Artificial Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) threaten the productivity and health of sheep worldwide, prompting the need for genetic selection to reduce GIN susceptibility. Fecal egg count (FEC), packed-cell volume (PCV), and various production traits were examined in parasitized Rambouillet sheep and compared to sire FEC estimated breeding value (EBV). Rambouillet lambs (n = 77) were inoculated with 10,000 H.