Cellular and Humoral Defense Mechanisms of the Mammary Gland in Sheep with Subclinical Mastitis

Subclinical mastitis is a mammary gland disease with a high prevalence and complex diagnostics. Innate and adaptive immunity are the main protective factors of the organ. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in some specific and non-specific defence factors of the mammary gland. The results showed that the main cell population in milk obtained from healthy animals was macrophages (51%), and in the presence of subclinical mastitis PMNs (68.5
^%
) whit increase of their oxygen-dependent microbicidal activity. Lysozyme and lactoferrin levels also rise (by 198% and 337
^%
) in affected animals. Measurements of immunoglobulin levels showed elevations in IgG (by 41
^%
), IgM (by 79
^%
) and IgA (by 75
^%
). The development of subclinical mastitis in sheep leads to an increase in PMNs and their microbicidal activity in milk. In the presence of subclinical mastitis, the levels of lysozyme and lactoferrin, as well as the concentrations of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA elevates.