Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, and cortisol concentrations in sows following intramammary inoculation of Escherichia coli.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, acute-phase proteins, and cortisol differ at parturition among 3 categories of sows (noninoculated, clinically affected and nonaffected following intramammary inoculation with Escherichia coll).


METHODS
16 sows.


METHODS
Sows were allocated to inoculated (n = 12) or noninoculated (4) groups. Inoculated sows received intramammary administration of E coli (serotype O127) during the 24-hour period preceding parturition. Blood samples were collected from noninoculated and inoculated sows for 3 consecutive days within 3 to 11 days before farrowing and inoculation. Samples were also collected 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after farrowing and inoculation. Inoculated sows were further categorized as affected (4 sows) or nonaffected (8 sows) based on clinical signs of disease. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, plasma interleukin (IL)-6, and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations were measured by use of ELISA; serum haptoglobin concentration was assayed by use of a hemoglobin-binding method; and plasma cortisol concentration was determined by use of radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Plasma or serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and SAA of both categories of inoculated sows were significantly increased by 24 hours after intramammary inoculation of E coli, compared with concentrations in noninoculated sows. Concentrations of serum TNF-alpha and plasma IL-6 were significantly higher in inoculated sows that developed clinical mastitis than in nonaffected inoculated sows.


CONCLUSIONS
Concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6 are promising markers for the identification of periparturient sows with subclinical coliform mastitis. Identification of such sows should help improve the health and survival of piglets.
Zhu
Yaohong
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7039, SE-75 007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Osterlundh
Ingrid
I
Hultén
Fredrik
F
Magnusson
Ulf
U
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007267:Injections / Q000662:veterinary; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000382:microbiology; D036801:Parturition / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D006242:Haptoglobins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006854:Hydrocortisone