MATURATION OF THE PULMONARY IMMUNE SYSTEM IN HOLSTEIN DAIRY CALVES

The immaturity of the neonatal immune system is partially responsible for the extreme susceptibility of neonates to infectious disease, including bacterial and viral pneumonias. Some recent studies in humans, sheep and mice have shown that the pulmonary immune cells of neonates may respond too vigorously to infectious agents and this robust inflammatory response may cause significant damage to the developing lung. Pneumonia in calves is a serious problem, and can lead to decreased performance and compromised lung function for the life of the animal. No studies have been done on the lung immune system of the neonatal calf, this study intends to characterize the immune status of the neonatal lung, its responsiveness to infectious agents such as Pasturella. Currently, our primary therapy for bacterial pneumonia is antibiotic administration, knowing more about the immune function of calves may lead to alternate immune-based therapies that can reduce or prevent serious lung damage and perhaps reduce the use of antimicrobials in pneumonic calves.