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Activity of lysosomal N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk has been used as an indicator of bovine mastitis. We studied NAGase activity of 808 milk samples from healthy quarters and quarters of cows with spontaneous subclinical and clinical mastitis. Associations between milk NAGase activity and milk somatic cell count (SCC), mastitis causing pathogen, quarter, parity, days in milk (DIM) and season were studied. In addition, the performance of NAGase activity in detecting clinical and subclinical mastitis and distinguishing infections caused by minor and major bacteria was investigated. Our results indicate that NAGase activity can be used to detect both subclinical and clinical mastitis with a high level of accuracy (0·85 and 0·99). Incomplete correlation between NAGase activity and SCC suggests that a substantial proportion of NAGase activity comes from damaged epithelial cells of the udder in addition to somatic cells. We therefore recommend determination of NAGase activity from quarter foremilk after at least six hours from the last milking using the method described. Samples should be frozen before analysis. NAGase activity should be interpreted according to DIM, at least during the first month of lactation. Based on the results of the present study, a reference value for normal milk NAGase activity of 0·1-1·04 pmoles 4-MU/min/μl for cows with ≥30 DIM (196 samples) could be proposed. We consider milk NAGase activity to be an accurate indicator of subclinical and clinical mastitis.

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Abstract-The present analysis was undertaken to study the effect of oral contraceptive (OC) use on activated factor VII (FVIIa) in subjects characterized by FVII genotypes, with the further aim of evaluating the role of lipids in this pharmacological interaction. In OC users (nϭ42) and nonusers (nϭ130) Key Words: factor VII Ⅲ activated factor VII Ⅲ phospholipids Ⅲ factor VII genotype S ince the introduction of oral contraceptives (OCs) in the 1960s, epidemiological studies have revealed an association between their use and an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). [1][2][3][4][5][6] The most important cardiovascular complications noted were venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and thrombotic stroke, 6 -11 with higher risk and susceptibility in female smokers in the 35ϩ age range. 12 The increased CVD risk has been attributed to the estrogenic component 7,13 : in fact, it was found to be reduced after the introduction of OCs containing a lower estrogen dose, [13][14][15][16][17][18] but recently venous thromboembolism was found to be higher in women using contraceptives containing third-generation compared with second-generation progestogens. 19 -22 The effect of OCs on hemostatis is an increase in the levels of some coagulation factors (factors II, VII [FVII], IX, X, XI, and VIII; von Willebrand factor; and fibrinogen), of protein C, and of protein complexes and fragments related to the activation of coagulation (thrombin-antithrombin complexes and D-dimer); these enhance fibrinolysis and decrease the levels of antithrombin III, protein S, and C4b-binding protein. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Concerning FVII, a relationship between FVII levels, the dose of estrogen, [23][24][25][26][27][28]31 and progestogen (norethisterone but not D-norgestrel 32 ) was consistently found. It is difficult, though, to pinpoint whether these changes are due to the estrogen or the progestative compound, and it is still a matter of debate whether the excess CVD risk after the use of OCs is related to the resulting dyslipidemia, the hemostasis changes, or both. Recently, a meta-analysis 33 pointed out the absence of an association between the duration of OC administration and CVD risk; the same analysis showed that the increased risk was limited to the period of OC administration.Because FVII has attracted attention owing to its association with lipids (namely triglycerides [TGs] and cholesterol

Thirty Ayrshire cows, 14 multiparous (MP-cows) and 16 heifers (heifers), were used to investigate the response of animal performance to prepartum rapeseed meal supplement (RSM). The basic diet was formulated from oats and barley (1:1 DM basis) and wilted grass silage. Both heifers and MP-cows were paired by their expected date of calving to form two groups of each. One of each MP-cow pair (control cows; CC) and heifer pair (control heifers, CH) were offered 3 kg d' 1 the basic diet without protein supplement. Part of the grain was replaced by 1.5 kg d~l RSM in the diet of the other pairs (test cows, TC; and test heifers, TH). Mineral supplement was fed at 250 g d" 1 (heifers) and 300 g d" 1 (MP-cows). Following parturition, all animals were offered similar lactation concentrate containing oats and barley (64%), RSM (18%) and molassed sugar beet pulp (18%) with wilted grass silage. Pre-and postpartum blood samples were taken. Feed intake, body condition, body weight change, milk yield and composition were monitored.Prepartum RSM supplement increased total feed intake of TH through increased voluntary silage intake. CH consumed less DM and lost more body weight during early lactation but produced higher (PO.09 and PO.02) milk than the TH during 23-41 days (Period 2) and 42-60 days (Period 3) of lactation. The milk protein content of the same group was lower (PO.04) during Period 3. Plasma and milk urea concentration was higher for the TH during 4 -22 days of lactation (Period 1) and Period 2. Prepartum RSM supplement did not significantly affect feed intake, milk yield or milk composition of MP-cows.

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