Co-elevated plasma TNF⍺ and IL-10 profile in individual domestic sheep and its relationship with selenium levels and parasite burden 2303

Description Selenium (Se) is an essential element necessary for proper immune function and endemically deficient regions often have poor infectious disease control in both humans and animals. We evaluated the whole blood Se levels, body condition, gastric parasite burden, and plasma cytokine profiles of 108 domestic sheep across seven different farms in Oregon with varying Se supplementation levels. Sheep were maintained on a local pasture diet, and samples were collected within 20 days in mid-summer. Well-appearing ewes with no significant pathological history were selected for analysis. Cytokines measured via a multiplex cytokine assay included IFNγ, TNFα, IL1β, IL-4, IL-10, and IL17α. Animals with higher protozoal burden were lower in body condition score. Conversely, Se levels were positively associated with body condition score. No significant differences were found among the cytokine profiles of sheep across different farms, however a peculiar pattern of co-elevation of TNFα and IL-10 was identified. Several individuals on each farm demonstrated elevated TNFα in the 100th percentile – 6-fold higher compared to those in the 75th percentile. This dramatic elevation of TNFα corresponded closely with heightened levels of IL-10. Our data describes a subclinical elevation of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in individuals on multiple farms. Funding Sources Supported by the Oregon Sheep Growers Association Topic Categories Cytokines and Chemokines and Their Receptors (CCR)