Animal Stress and Immune Response Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary effect of the CNCL1 gene on muscle function?

It causes muscle contractions due to increased potassium levels.

It enhances chloride removal, preventing muscle fatigue.

It inhibits the chloride pump, causing muscle 'freeze'. (correct)

It directly promotes muscle growth and strength.

Which of the following poses a primary challenge to laying hens when transitioning from a closed system to free-range?

Decreased exposure to natural light causing Vitamin D deficiency.

Reduced environmental stimulation leading to boredom.

Increased access to high quality feed, without limitations.

Increased risk of exposure to a wider variety of pathogens. (correct)

What does 'epitype' refer to in the context of matching animals to their environment?

The physical characteristics determined by genetics and environment. (correct)

The genetic makeup of the animal.

The behavioral adaptations of the animal over time.

The specific diet requirements of a breed of animal.

Why are many farmed species not well matched to intensive farming systems?

Their natural behaviors and needs are often not met by these systems. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of using flock/herd mortality as a stress indicator?

It is often too late to prevent significant problems within the population. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered the best indicator of real-time stress monitoring in animals according to the passage?

Behavioural Changes (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it advantageous for a stress biomarker to be easily obtainable?

To allow for frequent and minimally invasive monitoring. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A measurable substance in an organism whose presence indicates a disease or environmental exposure is called a:

Biomarker (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a novel antigen (Ag) or a vaccine to induce AbMIR?

To assess the capacity to mount an immune response. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the level of antibody production change with subsequent exposures to the same antigen?

The inducible production becomes faster and more productive with subsequent exposures. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the specific stressor used in the immune challenge experiment with sheep, and why was it chosen?

A bacterial endotoxin, because it mimics the effects of heat stress on the gut. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the sheep experiment, what was the significance of some sheep not responding to the bacterial endotoxin?

It raised questions about whether their response was modulated and if they could process toxins more efficiently. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is a key difference observed in the immune response to acute versus chronic stress?

Acute stress has an immunostimulatory effect, whereas chronic stress has an immunosuppressive effect. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role was cortisol playing when endotoxins were injected in sheep during the experiment?

A response to a stressor (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the effect of glucocorticoids on the immune system?

Their effects vary depending on dosage and location, exhibiting both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive functions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main conclusion regarding individual response to stress from the study?

Highly stressed animals displayed similar responses regardless of the stressor. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of an animal's inability to recover from stress or habituate to a stressor?

Increased risk of disease due to epigenetic changes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

During early development, which system is particularly sensitive to epigenetic modifications which highlights the importance of the microbiome?

The neuroendocrine immune system. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How might single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes affect glucocorticoid levels?

By altering the process of steroidogenesis. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of antimicrobial misuse in animal production?

Using antimicrobials to prevent disease, rather than treat current illness. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In what way could antimicrobial resistance (AMR) be disseminated within an agricultural environment?

Through the physical matter like dust particles and water runoff. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of MHC-I molecules?

They present antigens to cytotoxic T cells and help prevent the destruction of healthy cells. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cytokines like IL-4 and IL-13 released by T helper cells?

To trigger the antibody-mediated immune response. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the acquired immune response differ from the innate immune response?

The acquired response involves the production of antibodies and requires prior exposure to antigens, while the innate response does not. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are antibodies considered good biomarkers for infection?

They are highly specific to particular pathogens and long-lasting. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between bovine IgG1 and IgG2 in blood?

IgG1 indicates an antibody-mediated immune response, while IgG2 indicates a cell-mediated immune response. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a known alarmins or DAMPs (distress signal) producer?

T helper cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cytotoxic T cells in the cell-mediated immune response?

To kill cells that display antigens on their MHC-I molecules. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using cytokines as a biomarker for stress?

They are general indicators of stress, but poor at indicating the specific stressor. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider sampling location when measuring antibody isotypes?

Antibody isotypes are species and tissue specific, therefore sampling locations must be considered. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which T cell helps in generating both antibody-mediated (AbMIR) and cell-mediated (CMIR) immune responses?

T helper cell (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which dexamethasone treats autoimmune skin conditions?

Suppressing local inflammatory responses (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is early diagnosis of Johne's Disease in cattle challenging?

Antibody levels don't appear until the disease is clinically evident (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following biomarkers is most effective for monitoring stages 1-3d of Johne's Disease?

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What can be assessed by monitoring SAM, HPA, AbMIR, and CMIR following an immune challenge?

An animal's habituation and recovery from stress (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an example of a biological stressor that could be used in a stress challenge?

Sleep deprivation (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do epigenetic variants differ from genetic variants?

Epigenetic variants are established by environmental factors during mitosis, while genetic variants are inherited. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical effect of cytosine methylation on gene expression?

It silences gene expression (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do glucocorticoids (GCs) impact CMIR in the context of stress?

GCs prevent de-acetylation of histones to reduce IFN-γ expression (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a direct consequence of Addison's disease?

Underproduction of glucocorticoids and aldosterone (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical diagnostic symptom observed in individuals with Addison's disease?

Hyperpigmentation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary limitation of using ACTH as a biomarker for stress?

Its concentration in the blood is not always reflective of the amount in the adrenals. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 'white coat effect' useful in research?

It allows the animal to adjust to stress prior to a trial, reducing bias. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes why 'Chromogranin A' is considered an indirect biomarker of stress?

Its release is indirectly coupled to sympathetic activity and norepinephrine. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is measuring glucocorticoid levels over a stress challenge, rather than at a single time point, advantageous?

It provides a more complete picture of overall changes and average increases in GCs. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes how commensal gut bacteria contribute to host defense?

They produce antimicrobial toxins and compete for resources against pathogens. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role do cytokines serve in the acute-phase response during an infection?

They trigger fever, protein catabolism, and the synthesis of immune cells to combat infection. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'alarmins' in the context of innate immunity?

They are released by distressed cells to indicate tissue damage. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does antibody-mediated immunity (AbMIR) primarily target pathogens?

By targeting extracellular pathogens through antibodies. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is tolerance to commensal microbes essential for survival?

It prevents the immune system from overreacting to harmless microbes, causing disease. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following parameters is least likely to influence the measurement of 'Chromogranin A' levels?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do non-immune barriers such as skin and mucous membranes protect the body from microbial growth?

By preventing microbial entry and growth through physical and chemical means. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'cytokine storm', and why is it dangerous?

An excessive release of cytokines that damages tissues and can cause organ failure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary strategy for improving host defense against pathogens?

Strengthening physical and chemical barriers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of the innate immune response that differentiates it from the acquired immune response?

It is a quicker short term response. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of glucocorticoids that must be considered when using them as a stress biomarker?

Levels correspond to an individual's circadian rhythm. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress and Animal Health

Stress negatively impacts animal production, product quality, and welfare.
Consumers expect high quality, ethically raised animals, often at lower prices.
Zoonotic diseases (diseases that transfer from animals to humans) are a concern.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem in animal health, affecting both human and animal effectiveness.
Genetic selection for production traits can negatively correlate with health and fertility.
Climate change is expected to affect livestock and aquaculture.
Physiological effects of stress are important to study for stress resistant animals.
Domestic animals face physical, chemical, biological, and psychological stressors.

Response to Stress

Stress response is a conserved reaction in mammals.
Stress responses include cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neuroendocrine, and immune changes.
Stress response triggers might vary between species and individuals.
Stressors disrupt homeostasis.
Physical stressors include temperature, climate change, shipping, air and water quality, light intensity, injury, stray voltage, UV radiation, processing, noise, and restraint.
Chemical stressors include mycotoxins, heavy metals, organochlorides, and poisonous plants.
Biological stressors include nutrient excess/deficiency, feed restriction, parturition, negative energy balance, and infection.
Psychological stressors include mixing, weaning, herding, and showing.

Microbiome

Microbes on epithelial surfaces provide nutrients (e.g., Vitamin K).
Competition for space and resources between pathogens and microbiome is important.
Regulation of inflammation is affected by the aging process.
Sensory inputs (neural, endocrine, immune) lead to stress responses.
Variation in stress responses is due to genetics, environment, and gene-environment interactions.
Chronic stress affects behavior and immune function due to glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoid receptors.
Circadian rhythm impacts cortisol levels and stress pathways.

Stress Physiology

Exotic species may not be well-matched to intensive farming systems.
Physiological indicators of stress include mortality, weight loss, decreased fertility, and clinical disease.
Behavioral changes are important for monitoring stress.
Biomarkers can measure stress and disease in animals.
SCC (somatic cell count) is useful to detect mastitis in dairy cows.
Real-time monitoring improves the early detection and assessment of stress.
Physiological pathways of stress include the SAM (Sympathetic-Adrenal Medulla) axis and the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis.

Stress Biochemistry

Stress leads to ACh release into the bloodstream.
Cortisol release is part of the HPA axis.
Corticosteroids are involved in stress response.
Mineralocorticoid receptors and glucocorticoid receptors are key in stress responses.
Chronic stress can cause changes in behavior and immune function.

Stress Regulation and Other Considerations

Immediate neural pathways versus neuroendocrine pathways for stress response.
Circadian rhythm influences stress response and hormone levels.
Chronic stress leads to desensitization of cortisol receptors.
Stress and genetics interaction is important for stress resistance.

Immunoregulation

Immune systems can be activated by infectious agents or stressors.
Immune functions are dependent on several factors that influence activation and response.
Microbial stressors may require a panel of biomarkers for evaluation.
Innate and acquired immunity mechanisms play roles in stress response.

Host Defense

Definitions relating to concepts such as antibodies, antigens, TNF, IL, PAMPs, and DAMPs are provided.
Immune systems signal danger and trigger stress responses.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) relates to overly enthusiastic cytokine response during stress.
Acute-phase response, or cytokine storm, leads to potentially fatal organ failure.
Innate immunity provides the first line of response while acquired immunity provides a sustained response.

Antimicrobials

Antimicrobial usage is prominent in animal production.
Inappropriate antimicrobial use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Misuse of antimicrobials leads to negative effects in animals and humans.

Summary

The topics cover the physiological response to stress in diverse animal species, which has significant influences and impact on the health, productivity, and welfare of the animal.
It also highlights the interaction of genetics, environment, and other factors in determining stress response.
Understanding these considerations is important for improving animal health and welfare.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various aspects of animal stress, immune responses, and the effects of genetics on muscle function. This quiz covers significant topics related to animal welfare and management practices, particularly in farming systems. Challenge your understanding of critical indicators and adaptations in animal health.