Interrelationship between Somatic Cell Count and Acute Phase Proteins in Serum and Milk of Dairy Cows

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the concentrations of two acute phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), in serum and milk of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows grouped according to somatic cell count thresholds (< 100,000 < 400,000 > 400,000 cells/ml) in composite milk samples. The SCC was assessed quantitatively by FOSSOMATIC 90 analyser; serum and milk Hp and SAA concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits (Tridelta Development, Ltd., Wicklow, Ireland). We have found a significantly higher Hp and SAA concentrations in the group with SCC > 400,000 cells/ml compared to groups with lower SCC thresholds in composite milk samples. In contrast, significant differences were not demonstrated between the groups in Hp and SAA concentrations determined in serum. The concentrations of Hp in serum and milk were found to be correlated (r = 0.69, P = 0.0003), whereas there was a lower correlation trend in the case of serum versus milk concentrations of SAA (r = 0.43, P = 0.0478). High significant correlations were observed either between milk haptoglobin values and SCC or milk serum amyloid A concentrations and SCC (r = 0.83, r = 0.81, P < 0.0001; respectively). An increase in SCC in cows suffering from mastitis has been accompanied by strong elevation of the milk Hp and SAA, significantly correlated with serum Hp (r = 0.64, P = 0.0014) and poorly correlated with SAA values determined in serum (r = 0.43, P = 0.0478). According to the results obtained in this study we can conclude that measurements of the acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A predominantly in milk, may be a useful tool in diagnosing mastitis and may be a useful marker of milk quality. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, mastitis

Acute Phase Proteins and Variables of Protein Metabolism in Dairy Cows during the Pre- and Postpartal Period

“…It has been reported that monitoring the plasma concentration of acute phase proteins, such as SAA and Hp, provides a valuable diagnostic information on cattle conditions (Eckersall 2000), to discriminate between cattle with acute and sub-clinical or chronic respiratory diseases (Godson et al 1996) and to detect cows with clinical mastitis (Eckersall et al 2001). Kováč et al (2007) reported also that the measurements of the acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, predominantly in milk, may be useful in monitoring udder health. In general, the time around calving is considered to be a critical period with a negative impact on the energy and protein metabolism (Kováč 2001).…”

Determination of Haptoglobin in Bovine Serum using Polyclonal and Monoclonal Anti-human Haptoglobin Antibodies

“…Hp is commonly used in monitoring the treatment of limb diseases (Jawor et al 2008) and the health of the udder (Kováč et al 2007), detecting diseases of clinical or subclinical course in calves, and in monitoring herd health (Ganheim et al 2003). The broad availability of Hp in cattle diagnostics has resulted in this APP becoming the most commonly determined in this species.…”

Levels of protein fractions in blood serum of periparturient goats

“…Hirvonen et al (1996Hirvonen et al ( , 1999 and Ohtsuka et al (2001) have described increased haptoglobin concentration in cow serum. Kováč et al (2007) recommend determining acute phase proteins (haptoglobin and SAA) in serum, and also in milk, as a useful tool for diagnostics of mastitis and possible indicator of milk quality.…”