Liver abscesses in cattle lead to significant losses in the beef industry by affecting animal health, performance, and liver condemnations

West Texas A&M University received a $595,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2029. The research project will investigate the molecular mechanisms by which liver abscesses impact cattle, a significant concern in the beef industry due to losses related to animal health, performance, and liver condemnations. The project will examine gene expression changes in liver tissue surrounding abscesses of varying sizes and in cases of multiple abscesses to develop a comprehensive understanding of how these lesions disrupt liver function and metabolism.

The primary deliverable is a detailed cellular-level gene expression map that characterizes how gene activity is distributed across tissue surrounding hepatic abscesses. By identifying the molecular pathways altered in response to abscess formation, this research will provide new insights into the mechanisms of liver tissue disruption and dysfunction, with potential applications for improving cattle health outcomes and reducing industry losses. The work will be conducted at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, operating as a child entity within the Texas A&M University System.

While most research has focused on the abscess itself, little is known about how the surrounding liver tissue is impacted and how these changes contribute to overall liver function. This project will investigate how gene activity changes in the liver tissue around abscesses, focusing on how these changes differ with various abscess sizes and the presence of multiple abscesses. Additionally, the project will create a detailed map at the cellular level, showing how gene activity is distributed across the tissue surrounding the abscesses. By understanding how gene expression is altered in these areas, the research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind the disruption of liver function and metabolism, providing new insights into how abscesses affect liver tissue and thier broader impact.