ascorbic-acid and Mastitis--Bovine

A powdered teat dip designed for winter usage was evaluated for bacteriological efficacy and teat conditioning qualities. A positive control, natural exposure field trial was conducted for 3 mo on 509 lactating cows. Two sets of cows, primiparous and multiparous, were used. The trial compared efficacy of a powdered teat dip with a teat dip of 1% iodine plus 10% glycerin. Bacteriological efficacy among primiparous cows was equivalent for all major mastitis pathogens, environmental pathogens, and streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae. Efficacy was not equivalent against coagulase-negative staphylococci and all mastitis pathogens. Results suggested that the positive control product was more efficacious. Among multiparous cows, efficacy was equivalent against environmental mastitis pathogens and bacteriologically negative, clinical mastitis. The products were not equivalent against Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, or all major mastitis pathogens, once again suggesting that the positive control product was more efficacious. Data indicated that germicidal activity of the powdered dip was not sufficient to reduce the incidence of new IMI caused by contagious or minor pathogens normally associated with teat skin. Application of a powdered postmilking teat dip during 3 winter mo in Idaho resulted in improved teat end condition among primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Teat skin condition improved among primiparous but not among multiparous cows.

Topics: Allantoin; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cattle; Disinfection; Female; Glycerol; Iodine; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Parity; Powders; Seasons; Skin Diseases; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus

Neutrophil function and the severity and incidence of mastitis in dairy cows is related to the intake of many antioxidant nutrients. Because vitamin C is the major water-soluble antioxidant in mammals, we examined the effect of dietary vitamin C on neutrophil function and responses to intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccahride (LPS) in periparturient dairy cows. At 2 wk before anticipated calving, Holstein cows were fed diets that provided 0 (16 cows) or 30 (15 cows) g/d of supplemental vitamin C (phosphorylated ascorbic acid). Treatments continued until 7 d after cows received an infusion of 10 microg of LPS into one quarter of the mammary gland (on average, this occurred 32 d postcalving). Supplementation of vitamin C increased plasma concentrations of vitamin C at calving, but no differences were observed in samples taken 24 h postinfusion. Concentrations of vitamin C in milk (24 h postinfusion) and in neutrophils (calving and 24 h postinfusion) were not affected by treatment, but vitamin C concentrations in neutrophils isolated from milk were about 3 times greater than concentrations in blood neutrophils. The LPS infusion did not alter concentrations of vitamin C in plasma or milk, suggesting that the LPS model did not produce the same effects as a bacterial infection of the mammary gland with respect to antioxidant effects. Supplemental vitamin C had no effect on neutrophil phagocytosis or bacterial kill. Dietary vitamin C reduced the milk somatic cell count but did not affect the febrile response or milk production following LPS infusion.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Cattle; Diet; Female; Fever; Kinetics; Lipopolysaccharides; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Neutrophils; Parturition; Phagocytosis; Pregnancy

Oxidative stress has been associated in several inflammatory conditions and incriminated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. However, little information is available on the status of plasma antioxidant levels, essential components of important antioxidant enzymes such as copper, zinc and selenium in blood, and the end product of oxidative damage to the erythrocytic polyunsaturated fatty acids in inflammatory udder conditions. Blood samples were collected from three groups of dairy cows, with 21 in each group: animals with healthy udder, clinical mastitis, and subclinical mastitis. These animals were randomly selected from a herd on the basis of the California mastitis test, somatic cell count and total bacterial count. The mean plasma ascorbic acid concentration was significantly lower in cows with subclinical (p = 0.004) and clinical mastitis (p = 0.000) and the erythrocytic lipid peroxide levels were significantly (p = 0.000) higher in clinical mastitis as compared to controls. There was a significant decrease in mean blood zinc concentration in subclinical (p = 0.005) and clinical mastitis (p = 0.000), but an increase in mean blood copper level in the clinical mastitis group. It was concluded that the blood antioxidant status declines in inflammatory udder conditions, suggesting that incorporation of antioxidants may help in better management of mastitis in dairy cows.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cattle; Copper; Dairying; Erythrocytes; Female; Lipid Peroxides; Malondialdehyde; Mastitis, Bovine; Oxidative Stress; Selenium; Trace Elements; Zinc

The aim of the investigations was evaluation of ascorbic acia concentration in the blood or cows in the subclinical form of mastitis. The research was conducted on 56 cows. The cows were divided into 4 groups: A, B, and C with subclinical form of mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia col, and D control. The ascorbic acid concentration in the serum of cows was measured by the hydrazine method. We observed a marked decrease in ascorbic acid concentration in the serum of cows from experimental groups A, B and C, respectively: 34.2, 35.9, and 39.4 micromol/dm3 when we compared them with control group D--69.8 micromol/dm3. In cows with subclinical form of inflammation of the mammary gland, a decreased potential of antioxidant protection in the blood was noticed, which manifested itself as a lower ascorbic acid concentration.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cattle; Escherichia coli; Female; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus agalactiae

Plasma and milk concentrations of ascorbic acid and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid (DHAA) were measured before and after 21 Holstein cows (approximately 26 DIM) were given an intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli. Blood, milk from the unchallenged quarters, and milk from the challenged gland were sampled immediately before challenge (d 0) and 24 h and 7 d postchallenge. Plasma vitamin C (ascorbic acid + DHAA) concentrations decreased 39%, and concentrations of vitamin C and ascorbic acid in milk from the challenged quarter decreased 52 and 62%, respectively, in samples taken 24 h postchallenge. No change was observed in vitamin C concentrations in milk from unchallenged quarters. The concentration of DHAA in milk from challenged quarters increased 67% 24 h postchallenge. The duration of clinical mastitis, peak body temperature, number of colony-forming units of E. coli isolated from the infected gland, and loss in milk yield were associated with a change in concentration of vitamin C in milk from the challenged quarter. Increased severity of clinical signs was associated with large decreases in concentration of vitamin C in milk from the challenged quarter. Similar, but statistically weaker, relationships were observed for changes in plasma vitamin C concentrations.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cattle; Colony Count, Microbial; Dehydroascorbic Acid; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cadmium; Cattle; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Lead; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Public Health; Risk Assessment

Ascorbic acid and L-histidine were investigated as antioxidant therapies for acute mammary inflammation. Mastitis was induced in eight nonpregnant Holstein cows by intramammary infusion of endotoxin. Treatments were administered in a 4 x 4 Latin square crossover design with 1-wk periods between challenges with endotoxin. Four individual treatments, control, ascorbic acid only, L-histidine only, and ascorbic acid plus L-histidine, were applied. Two doses of 25 g of ascorbic acid administered intravenously at 3- and 5-h postendotoxin challenge increased milk production recovery (9% higher, P < 0.02) and tended to reduce the extent of rumen stasis. Two doses of 25 g of L-histidine similarly administered decreased plasma antioxidant activities 5.5% (P < 0.05). However, ascorbic acid and L-histidine had no effects on rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and dry matter intake. The data suggested that ascorbic acid provided some potential benefit for recovery from acute mammary inflammation in dairy cattle.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Body Temperature; Cattle; Cross-Over Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endotoxins; Female; Histidine; Lactation; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk