title: Low-energy He-Ne-laser irradiation of the bovine mammary gland.
abstract: The bovine mammary gland was used to examine the effects of low-energy laser irradiation. Laser irradiation with 25 mW on an area of 7.5 cm in diameter on the right front quarter lasted 30 minutes daily for five consecutive days. Six cows were used to assess the effects of this treatment on the healthy mammary gland. Subclinical mastitis was induced in twelve quarters of the same six cows with oyster glycogen and the same laser protocol was followed on the right front quarters. In both experiments the left hind quarter served as a control. Four cases of spontaneous subclinical mastitis were treated in the same way. Parameters measured included milk yield, somatic cell count, conductivity, Na/K-ratio in milk serum, and fat, protein and lactose concentrations in milk. The bovine mammary gland was chosen in view of its particular suitability for the assessment of changes in biosynthetic capacity and inflammation course. In several respects, mastitis may be compared to currently recommended indications. No evidence for any stimulation of the healthy mammary gland or therapeutic effects on mastitis by low-energy He-Ne-laser could be found.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoffel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schällibaum
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schilt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gerber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011247:Pregnancy