Changes in inflammation-related blood constituents of mastitic cows.

The following blood constituents were measured in the blood and/or serum from healthy and mastitic cows: lipid peroxides (LPO), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclic AMP (cAMP), electrolytes (Na, K), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit, eosinophils, and electrical conductivity. The levels of these blood variables, excluding GSH-Px, erythrocytes variables and conductivity, were higher in mastitic than in healthy animals. In the blood of the mastitic animals, the AP and LPO levels were 44 and 38% higher than in the healthy animals. The substantial decline in the GSH-Px levels in mastitic animals (P < 0.05) may be related to changes in lipid peroxidation and PG formation and possibly to oxidative stress caused by the host defences. The eosinophil levels were positively correlated with those of PGE2 and cAMP. The possible implications of these findings for the diagnosis of mastitis are discussed.