Jugular versus Mammary Vein Acid-Base Balance, Blood Gases, Hematobiochemical Profiles and Inflammation Biomarkers in Goats with Acute Mastitis
The objectives of this study was to investigate the acid-base balance, blood gases, hematobiochemical profiles and the inflammation biomarkers fibrinogen, serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) in the mammary and jugular veins of goats with mastitis. Blood samples were collected from the jugular and mammary veins from 26 goats with mastitis and from 10 healthy lactating goats. In diseased goats, the affected quarter had a remarkable degree of swelling, hard and sore to touch; the milk was bloody. In the jugular vein of diseased goats, the values of PCO2, PO2, base excess (BE), HCO3 and TCO2 were significantly lower than in the jugular vein of controls. In the mammary vein, the pH was significantly lower than in controls and the values of PCO2, BE, HCO3 and TCO2 were significantly lower than in the controls. In contrast, the PO2, lactic acid and anion gap values were significantly higher in the mammary vein than in controls. The RBCs was significantly lower in the jugular and mammary veins than in controls. In the jugular and mammary veins, albumin concentration was significantly lower than controls. The serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower in the jugular vein than controls. The serum concentration of fibrinogen did not differ significantly in the jugular and mammary veins compared to healthy controls. In the jugular and mammary veins, the serum concentrations of SAA and Hp were significantly higher than controls. In diseased animals, the serum concentrations of SAA were significantly higher in the mammary veins than in jugular vein. In conclusion, the blood gases, acid-base, hematobiochemical profiles and inflammation biomarkers in the mammary vein goats with acute mastitis could be used as by veterinarians and researchers as reference values for investigation of goats with mastitis and healthy lactating goats.
Short communication: acute phase proteins in Holstein cows diagnosed with uterine infection.
The aim of this work was to monitor the pattern of serum acute phase proteins [paraoxonase (PON), haptoglobin (Hp) and albumin] during the peripartum period of normal healthy cows (n=16) compared to that in cows diagnosed with uterine infection (n=15). Albumin concentrations were lower at 21 days before expected calving in cows subsequently diagnosed with uterine infection and predicted the occurrence of uterine infection with an accuracy of 79.3%. Cows diagnosed with uterine infection had a postpartum reduction in serum PON activity and the concentration of Hp increased at 7 DIM for multiparous uterine infected cows. In conclusion, cows diagnosed with uterine infection had reduced serum albumin concentration 21 days before calving, lower PON activity at 7 days after calving, and increased Hp in multiparous cows at 7 DIM compared to healthy cows.
Negative energy balance alters global gene expression and immune responses in the uterus of postpartum dairy cows
Most dairy cows suffer uterine microbial contamination postpartum. Persistent endometritis often develops, associated with reduced fertility. We used a model of differential feeding and milking regimes to produce cows in differing negative energy balance status in early lactation (mild or severe, MNEB or SNEB). Blood hematology was assessed preslaughter at 2 wk postpartum. RNA expression in endometrial samples was compared using bovine Affymetrix arrays. Data were mapped using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Circulating concentrations of IGF-I remained lower in the SNEB group, whereas blood nonesterified fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were raised. White blood cell count and lymphocyte number were reduced in SNEB cows. Array analysis of endometrial samples identified 274 differentially expressed probes representing 197 recognized genes between the energy balance groups. The main canonical pathways affected related to immunological and inflammatory disease and connective tissue disorders. Inflammatory response genes with major upregulation in SNEB cows included matrix metalloproteinases, chemokines, cytokines, and calgranulins. Expression of several interferon-inducible genes including ISG20, IFIH1, MX1, and MX2 were also significantly increased in the SNEB cows. These results provide evidence that cows in SNEB were still undergoing an active uterine inflammatory response 2 wk postpartum, whereas MNEB cows had more fully recovered from their energy deficit, with their endometrium reaching a more advanced stage of repair. SNEB may therefore prevent cows from mounting an effective immune response to the microbial challenge experienced after calving, prolonging the time required for uterine recovery and compromising subsequent fertility.