Evaluation of Free Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Concentrations in Simmental Calves Naturally Infected With Mycoplasma bovis Using a Metabolomics Approach

Abstract

Amino acids and fatty acids are important metabolites that regulate immune responses and maintain body homeostasis. However, serum amino acid and fatty acid profiles in cattle naturally infected with Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate changes in free fatty acid and amino acid concentrations in calves infected with M. bovis. In this study, the acute M. bovis group consisted of 20 Simmental calves of different sexes, aged 1-3 months, with respiratory disease symptoms. M. bovis was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The control group consisted of 10 Simmental calves aged 1-3 months, which were deemed healthy following clinical examination. The concentrations of alanine, isoleucine, glutamic acid, lysine, histidine, and tyrosine in the M. bovis group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, valine and methionine levels in the M. bovis group were found to be significantly higher than those in the control group. The concentrations of lauric acid, pentadeconic acid, palmitic acid, DHA, and stearic acid were found to be significantly higher in the M. bovis group than in the control group. The levels of oleic acid and linoleic acid were found to be significantly lower in the M. bovis group than in the control group. In conclusion, it was determined that the free amino acid and fatty acid profiles in calves infected with M. bovis were significantly altered and that these metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of M. bovis infection in animals. In addition, the low concentrations of some amino acids observed in this study suggest they may have therapeutic potential in the future.