Effects of experimental challenge of ewes with Mannheimia haemolytica on subsequent milk composition

• Published in: Journal of dairy research 2008-08, Vol.75 (3), p.340-346
• Main Authors: Fragkou, Ilectra A, Solomakos, Nikos, Dagleish, Mark P, Cripps, Peter J, Papaioannou, Nikos, Boscos, Costas M, Ververidis, Haris N, Billinis, Charalambos, Orfanou, Denise C, Govaris, Alexander, Kyriazakis, Ilias, Fthenakis, George C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal productions; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; epithelial cells; ewe milk; ewes; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactation; lactose; leukocytes; lipid content; Lymphocytes; macrophages; Mammary Glands, Animal - microbiology; Mammary Glands, Animal - pathology; Mammary Glands, Animal - physiopathology; Mannheimia haemolytica; Mannheimia haemolytica - physiology; Mastitis; Milk; Milk - chemistry; Milk - metabolism; Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; milk composition; neutrophils; Pasteurellaceae Infections - pathology; Pasteurellaceae Infections - physiopathology; Pasteurellaceae Infections - veterinary; protein content; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - pathology; Sheep Diseases - physiopathology; teat; Terrestrial animal productions; Time Factors; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0022-0299; 1469-7629
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022029908003440

The objective was to describe the physicochemical changes during the early phase of subclinical mastitis and to associate them with pathological findings. A Mannheimia haemolytica strain was deposited into one teat duct of 25 ewes and the clinical, bacteriological, cytological, physicochemical (pH, milk composition), gross-pathological and histological findings were subsequently recorded. The organism was consistently isolated from samples of teat duct material (140/150) but not from mammary secretion (50/150). California Mastitis Test (CMT) scores increased (>1) and remained high (143/150 samples) after challenge; polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) predominated in milk films, but the proportion of lymphocytes and macrophages progressively increased. Increased pH values (>7·0) were recorded in the mammary secretion from the challenged side. Furthermore, content of fat, total proteins and lactose therein decreased markedly. Histological changes (leucocytic infiltration, destruction of epithelial cells) were observed in the mammary parenchyma of the ewes. The present results confirm that the reduction of milk constituents is the effect of cellular damage and can occur soon after infection.