Serum C-reactive protein in dairy herds.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactation and health status. Blood samples were collected every 2 wk for 12 mo from 29 randomly selected dairy cattle on 3 farms. At the time the blood samples were collected, the stage of pregnancy, lactation status, breeding records, general health condition, reproductive status, and body condition score were recorded for each cow. Serum CRP was detected with sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western immunoblotting. C-reactive protein levels were measured with a densitometer and expressed as an optimal dose value. C-reactive protein levels were correlated with the body condition score, lactation status, and animal health (P < 0.05), but not with ambient temperature, animal age, or parity. C-reactive protein levels increased with milk production, peaking during high lactation (2 to 4 mo of pregnancy), and decreased when lactation ceased. In addition, the CRP level was highest during naturally occurring infections, such as mastitis and other tissue inflammation. Thus, the CRP level can confirm the presence of inflammation. The stress effect of taking blood samples as measured by the CRP level, was also examined. The CRP level became rapidly elevated 12 h after the blood samples were taken but returned to normal 36 h later. In conclusion, the stresses resulting from overall poor health, heavy lactation, and blood sampling caused the elevation of serum CRP. C-reactive protein is a marker or tool for evaluating the health status of a herd. C-reactive protein should also be considered as a useful criteria to assess the stress levels and may be useful in early surveillance of disease conditions in a dairy herd.
Lee
Wen-Chuan
WC
Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Hsiao
Huo-Cheng
HC
Wu
Ying-Ling
YL
Lin
Jyh-Hung
JH
Lee
Yen-Pai
YP
Fung
Hang-Poung
HP
Chen
Hsin-Hsin
HH
Chen
Yu-Hsin
YH
Chu
Rea-Min
RM
D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D012621:Seasons
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein