Effect of dietary restriction on cell-mediated immune responses in cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis.

Nine M. bovis-infected cattle on a diet deficient in both protein and energy for 133 days lost approximately 17% of their original body weight. However, dietary restriction did not result in any significant reduction in skin sensitivity to PPD, in vitro production of IFN-gamma or lymphocyte blastogenesis. The number of circulating BoCD4+ cells and B cells were similar in both the malnourished and the control cattle. However, significantly lower numbers (P < 0.01) of circulating BoCD2+ cells, BoCD8+ cells, WC1+ gamma delta T cells and ACT2+ cells were found in the malnourished cattle. With the exception of inorganic phosphate, the changes in plasma biochemical parameters were unremarkable.