The Effect of Subclinical Mastitis on Milk Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Level in Anatolian Water Buffaloes

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and somatic cell count (SCC) in Anatolian buffalo milk. The study material comprised 80 milk samples obtained from the udder quarter of 40 healthy and 40 subclinical mastitic nonpregnant lactating Anatolian water buffaloes. The California mastitis test and SCC were performed on milk samples milked from four udders of buffaloes to diagnose subclinical mastitis. The milk TGF-beta level was measured by a bovine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The milk TGF-beta levels in subclinical mastitic and control groups were 11.7 +/- 2.6 (8.0 to 18.3) ng/ml and 4.8 +/- 1.3 (2.4 to 7.0) ng/ ml. The milk TGF-beta level of subclinical mastitic buffaloes was significantly higher than healthy ones (P<0.01). A significant positive correlation was determined between the milk TGF-beta level and SCC in subclinical mastitic buffaloes (r(2) = .936, P < 0.001). This is the first study to determine the relationship between TGF-beta concentrations and SCC in milk obtained from mammary quarters with subclinical mastitis in Anatolian water buffaloes. This study has the potential to contribute to studies on cytokine changes in milk in subclinical mastitis of buffaloes.