Effects of long-distance transport on glycolipid metabolism and immune function in simmental calves

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the effects of long-distance transportation on Simmental calves. While it is established that long-distance transportation can influence animal health, the specific impacts on glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as immune function in cattle, remain inadequately understood. This study analyzed blood samples from twelve 5-month-old Simmental calves that were transported over a distance of 1100 km from Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia, to Zouping City, Shandong Province, with a transportation duration of 15 h. The investigation focused on comparing alterations in serum glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and immune parameters before and after the transportation process. The findings indicated that, in contrast to pre-transportation levels, there was an upregulation of enzymes associated with glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway post-transportation, resulting in enhanced glucose utilization. Additionally, levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were found to be elevated. The activities of fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase also increased, while total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased, accompanied by a rise in non-esterified fatty acids. Furthermore, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased, whereas low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased. Cortisol levels exhibited an upward trend, and there was a significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as immunoglobulin G. In conclusion, long-distance transportation appears to induce disorders in glucose and lipid metabolism, systemic inflammation, and immune dysfunction in Simmental calves.