Antioxidant trace elements and oxidative stress status in dairy cattle suffering from mastitis

Abstract

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands caused by several pathogens. Reactive oxygen species are natural end products of the intensive cellular metabolism. Oxidative stress occurs when there is a disturbance of homeostasis causing inflammation of the mammary gland. This study was performed to evaluate blood antioxidant profile and trace elements in dairy cows with clinical mastitis. For this aim, venous blood samples were collected from 116 cows (100 mastitic, 16 control). In cows with clinical mastitis, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the clinical index score compared with control group. Biochemically, there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in super oxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity as well as in the level of zinc. However, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione reductase as well as in that of copper. The results of the current study indicate that the body antioxidant defense system was compromised in dairy cows with clinical mastitis creating a state of oxidative stress.