Nitric Oxide Molecule as A Potential Target of Alternative Strategies for the Diagnosis of Subclinical Mastitis in Cows

Abstract

The mastitis is an important disease affecting daily milk yield and quality in lactating cows, it negatively affects both animal welfare and economic income. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of subclinical mastitis on nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), albumin, total protein, globulin, glucose and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity (GGT) levels in plasma. The research was carried out in Brown Swiss and Holstein cows. The mammary lobes of the animals were scanned with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and those with subclinical mastitis were identified. Samples with CMT (-) were classified as healthy (n = 10) and those with CMT (+) were classified as subclinical mastitis group (n = 10). The study presented is a basic feature and results clearly showed that significant amounts of NO was released in plasma during subclinical mastitis. There was no statistically significant difference between cows with or without subclinical mastitis for plasma TAC, TOC, albumin, total protein, globulin, glucose, albumin/globulin levels and GGT activity. Consequently, nitric oxide is an important mediator in subclinical mastitis as a potential target of therapeutic strategies and can be evaluated in alternative diagnosis.