Lactoferrin: a component of nonspecific defense of the involuting bovine mammary gland
Smith, K.L.; Oliver, S.P.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 137: 535-554
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0065-2598 PMID: 7036686 Document Number: 171336
Right udder halves of 5 groups of 5 cows were infused with colchicine (20 mg 1 day before drying off or 20 mg 1 day before and again at drying off) and/or 100 mu g endotoxin at drying off, or with saline. Left udder halves were uninfused. Right halves infused with colchicine and/or endotoxin had decreased vol. of fluid accumulated at day 7 of involution (P < 0.05), increased lactoferrin (Lf) concn. at day 3 (P < 0.05) and day 7 of involution (P < 0.01), and decreased citrate/Lf molar ratio by day 1 of involution (P < 0.05), compared with left halves. Data suggested that mammary involution was accelerated in right udder halves by colchicine and/or endotoxin [see e.g. DSA 40, 968]. In addition, right udder halves had significantly higher concn. of IgG on days 3 and 7 of involution compared with left halves. As mammary involution progressed, whey samples became progressively more inhibitory to 4 strains of coliform bacteria (2 Klebsiella and 2 Escherichia coli). Data suggested a strong positive relationship between growth inhibition and concn. of IgG and Lf and a strong negative relationship with the citrate/Lf molar ratio.