Aim: To evaluate blood antioxidant profile and lipid peroxides in dairy
cows with clinical mastitis.
Materials and Methods: Twelve cases of
clinical mastitis in cross-bred cows were selected based on physical examination
of udder and milk, California Mastitis Test (CMT), Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and
confirmation by bacteriological examination of milk and requisite biochemical
tests. Twelve lactating cows showing negative CMT reaction and SCC <2x105
cells/ml were considered as healthy control. Antioxidant parameters measured in
blood were superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activities and reduced
glutathione (GSH) concentration. Erythrocytic lipid peroxidation (LPO) was
measured in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) production.
Results:
Significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood SOD and catalase activities, GSH
concentration and an increase in erythrocytic lipid peroxides was observed in
cows with clinical mastitis.
Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a
compromise in antioxidant defense of the body in dairy cows with clinical
mastitis resulting in oxidative damage, therefore, necessitate the use of
antioxidants and other protective compounds along with conventional therapy for
mastitis control.
Keywords: catalase, clinical mastitis, dairy cows,
glutathione, lipid peroxides, superoxide dismutase
