silicon and Mastitis--Bovine

Milk and blood levels of silicon, selenium and the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured in 20 healthy and 21 mastitic cows. In milk samples from healthy quarters the mean silicon concentration was 0.81 and in affected ones 0.39 ppm. In serum the mean silicon values were 1.63 and 1.02 ppm respectively. The selenium status was not altered but the level of erythrocyte GSH-Px was lowered in mastitic animals. Silicon is known to have marked effects on free radical formation, lipid peroxidation and macrophage activity. Its possible role in infection and inflammation is evaluated. Some of the functions of silicon may resemble those of selenium. The possibility of lowered levels of silicon and of the selenoenzyme in mastitis calls for experimentation with dietary or pharmaceutical supplementation of these trace elements.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Erythrocytes; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Selenium; Silicon

Plasma and milk levels of vitamin E were determined in mastitic and healthy cows and compared with erythrocyte GSH and GSH-peroxidase, selenium, silicon, prostaglandins and parameters commonly used for diagnosing mastitis. In mastitis both the plasma and milk levels of vitamin E were significantly lowered. In the milk vitamin E correlated negatively with electrical conductivity and PGE2. In the blood vitamin E was in a positive correlation with erythrocyte GSH. The role of lipid peroxidation in relation to the inflammatory and immunological reactions of mastitis is discussed.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dinoprostone; Erythrocytes; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Prostaglandins E; Selenium; Silicon; Vitamin E