Early post parturient changes in milk acute phase proteins.
The periparturient period is one of the most critical periods in the productive life of a dairy cow, and is the period when dairy cows are most susceptible to developing new intramammary infections (IMI) leading to mastitis. Acute phase proteins (APP) such as haptoglobin (Hp), mammary associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been detected in milk during mastitis but their presence in colostrum and milk in the immediate postpartum period has had limited investigation. The hypothesis was tested that APP are a constituent of colostrum and milk during this period. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to determine each APP's concentration in colostrum and milk collected daily from the first to tenth day following calving in 22 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Haptoglobin was assessed in individual quarters and composite milk samples while M-SAA3 and CRP concentration were determined in composite milk samples. Change in Hp in relation to the high abundance proteins during the transition from colostrum to milk were evaluated by 1 and 2 dimension electrophoresis and western blot. In 80% of the cows all APPs were detected in colostrum on the first day following parturition at moderately high levels but gradually decreased to minimal values in the milk by the 6th day after calving. The remaining cows (20%) showed different patterns in the daily milk APP concentrations and when an elevated level is detected could reflect the presence of IMI. Demonstration that APP are present in colostrum and milk following parturition but fall to low levels within 4 days means that elevated APP after this time could be biomarkers of post parturient mastitis allowing early intervention to reduce disease on dairy farms.
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology,College of Veterinary Medicine,Federal University of Agriculture,Abeokuta,Nigeria.
Funmilola C
FC
Thomas
Institute of Infection,Immunity and Inflammation,College of Veterinary, Medical and Life Sciences,University of Glasgow,Glasgow,UK.
Mary
M
Waterston
School of Veterinary Medicine,University of Glasgow,Glasgow,UK.
Peter
P
Hastie
School of Veterinary Medicine,University of Glasgow,Glasgow,UK.
Hayley
H
Haining
Institute of Biodiversity,Animal Health and Comparative Medicine,University of Glasgow,Glasgow,UK.
P David
PD
Eckersall
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D006242:Haptoglobins; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
C-reactive protein; Post-calving; dairy cow; haptoglobin; mammary associated serum amyloid A3; mastitis