Increased levels of cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin E2 in gastrointestinal tract mucus are associated with decreased faecal dry matter in Merino rams during nematode infection
A. R. Williams A E , L. J. E. Karlsson B , D. G. Palmer C , I. H. Williams A , P. E. Vercoe A , J. C. Greeff B and D. L. Emery DA School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
B Department of Agriculture and Food WA, 10 Dore Street, Katanning, WA 6317, Australia.
C Department of Agriculture and Food WA, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
D Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: willia05@student.uwa.edu.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 873-878 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08064
Submitted: 25 January 2008 Accepted: 2 April 2008 Published: 20 June 2008
Abstract
Immune-mediated scouring in sheep is a mucosal hypersensitivity response incited by infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes in the southern half of Australia and in New Zealand, regions characterised by a Mediterranean, winter-rainfall climate. To gain insights into the underlying mechanism(s), this study investigated the relationship between nematode infection of sheep in pens, faecal dry matter and release of inflammatory mediators in the intestinal tract. Six worm-free, immune rams received a dose of 3000 Trichostrongylus third stage larvae (L3) and 3000 Ostertagia L3 per week for 6 weeks, after which they were euthanased. Three rams acted as uninfected controls. Faecal dry matter was significantly lower in the infected group from the first week of infection until the end of the trial. Concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin E2 were higher in mucus from both the abomasum and the small intestine of infected rams compared with controls. Within the infected group, concentrations of both mediators were higher in mucus from the small intestine than from the abomasum. There were greater numbers of eosinophilic granulocytes and mucosal mast cells in abomasal and small-intestinal tissue sections from infected rams compared with the controls. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that nematode infection causes an inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal mucosa, characterised by increased fluid secretion.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank staff at Mt Barker research station and the UWA large animal facility for day to day care of the animals. J. Mitchell from the Department of Agriculture & Food Western Australia cultured the worm larvae used in this study and assisted with total worm counts. This work was partially funded by Australian Wool Innovations Limited.
Bendixsen T,
Windon RG,
Huntley JF,
MacKellar A,
Davey RJ,
McClure SJ, Emery DL
(2004) Development of a new monoclonal antibody to ovine chimeric IgE and its detection of systemic and local IgE antibody responses to the intestinal nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 97, 11–24.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
PubMed |
[Verified 1 September 2007]
Shaw RJ,
Walsh GM,
Cromwell O,
Moqbel R,
Spry CJF, Kay AB
(1985) Activated human eosinophils generate SRS-A leukotrienes following IgG-dependent stimulation. Nature 316, 150–152.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
PubMed |
Shaw RJ,
Gatehouse TK, McNeill MM
(1998) Serum IgE responses during primary and challenge infections of sheep with Trichostrongylus Colubriformis. International Journal for Parasitology 28, 293–302.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
PubMed |
Shaw RJ,
Morris CA,
Green RS,
Wheeler M,
Bisset SA,
Vlassoff A, Douch PGC
(1999) Genetic and phenotypic relationships among Trichostrongylus colubriformis-specific immunoglobulin E, anti-Trichostrongylus colubriformis antibody, immunoglobulin G, faecal egg count and body weight traits in grazing Romney lambs. Livestock Production Science 58, 25–32.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wagland BM,
Emery DL, McClure SJ
(1996) Studies on the host-parasite relationship between Trichostrongylus colubriformis and susceptible and resistant sheep. International Journal for Parasitology 26, 1279–1286.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
PubMed |
Whitlock HV
(1948) Some modifications of the McMaster helminth egg counting technique apparatus. Journal of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 21, 177–180.
Woolaston RR, Windon RG
(2001) Selection of sheep for response to Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae: genetic parameters. Animal Science (Penicuik, Scotland) 73, 41–48.
