Veterinary Science & Technology

The objective of this present study was to evaluate some indigenous enzymatic activities, nitric oxide production in milk cells and ceruloplasmin (C p ) level in milk as diagnostic indicators of bovine subclinical mastitis (SCM). The crossbred cows were screened with California mastitis test (CMT) to determine the status of SCM in mammary glands. Based on CMT point score and somatic cell count (SCC) of milk, the mammary quarters were classified as healthy (negative CMT reaction and SCC< 3 lakhs/ ml) and SCM (CMT reaction + or more and SCC>10 lakhs/ ml). The results of the study revealed that SCC, cyclooxygenase (COX), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoperoxidase (LP), nitric oxide (NO) and ceruloplasmin (C p ) levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk collected from SCM quarters compared to healthy quarters. Pearson’s correlation (r) of paired data of individual SCM infected quarters revealed the existence of a significant positive (P < 0.01) correlation among SCC and COX activity, LP activity, MPO activity and NO production. However, no significant correlation between SCC and Cp level was observed in milk samples of SCM infected quarters. Therefore, alteration of these enzyme activities, NO production and C p activity in milk could be used as an alternative diagnostic tool to screen for SCM.