Concentration of lactoferrin in milk of normal lactating cows and changes occurring during mastitis
Harmon, R.J.; Schanbacher, F.L.; Ferguson, L.C.; Smith, K.L.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 36(7): 1001-1007
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 1096690 Document Number: 88525
The mean lactoferrin (Lf) concentration determined by electroimmunodiffusion assay of whey preparations from 80 quarters of 20 normal lactating cows was 0.35 mg/ml. The mean alpha -lactalbumin and bovine serum albumin concentrations were 2.01 mg/ml and 0.29 mg/ml, respectively. The mean cell count was 250 000 cells/ml. The Lf concentration was significantly related to cell count, BSA, stage of lactation, and milk production. The Lf-milk production relationship was the only negative correlation. In 11 cows with mastitis, there was a significant increase in mean Lf concentration in infected quarters from 0.55 mg/ml on day 1 of infection to 1.89 mg/ml by day 3. By day 15 clinical signs had subsided and mean Lf concentrations had decreased to near day 1 values. On day 3 the quarters infected with coliform bacteria (clinical mastitis generally more severe) had mean Lf values more than twofold greater than those quarters infected with species of Staphylococcus or Streptococcus (milder clinical signs). Uninfected (control) quarters of cows with coliform bacteria-infected quarters had slightly increased mean Lf concentrations whereas Lf concentration in control quarters of cows with quarters infected with Gram-positive organisms remained unchanged.