Early post parturient changes in milk acute phase proteins

Thomas, F. C., Waterston, M., Hastie, P. , Haining, H. and Eckersall, P. (2016) Early post parturient changes in milk acute phase proteins. Journal of Dairy Research, 83(3), pp. 352-359. (doi: 10.1017/S0022029916000297) (PMID:27600971)

Abstract

The periparturient period is one of the most critical periods in the productive life of a dairy cow, and is the period when dairy cows are most susceptible to developing new intramammary infections (IMI) leading to mastitis. Acute phase proteins (APP) such as haptoglobin (Hp), mammary associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been detected in milk during mastitis but their presence in colostrum and milk in the immediate postpartum period has had limited investigation. The hypothesis was tested that APP are a constituent of colostrum and milk during this period. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to determine each APP’s concentration in colostrum and milk collected daily from the first to tenth day following calving in 22 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Haptoglobin was assessed in individual quarters and composite milk samples while M-SAA3 and CRP concentration were determined in composite milk samples. Change in Hp in relation to the high abundance proteins during the transition from colostrum to milk were evaluated by 1 and 2 dimension electrophoresis and western blot. In 80% of the cows all APPs were detected in colostrum on the first day following parturition at moderately high levels but gradually decreased to minimal values in the milk by the 6th day after calving. The remaining cows (20%) showed different patterns in the daily milk APP concentrations and when an elevated level is detected could reflect the presence of IMI. Demonstration that APP are present in colostrum and milk following parturition but fall to low levels within 4 days means that elevated APP after this time could be biomarkers of post parturient mastitis allowing early intervention to reduce disease on dairy farms.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: PhD studentship funding from Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta/Tetfund is acknowledged.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Eckersall, Professor David and Hastie, Professor Peter and Haining, Dr Hayley and Waterston, Miss Mary
• Authors: Thomas, F. C., Waterston, M., Hastie, P., Haining, H., and Eckersall, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Journal of Dairy Research
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0022-0299
• ISSN (Online): 1469-7629
• Published Online: 07 September 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research
• First Published: First published in Journal of Dairy Research 83(3): 352-359
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy