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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #129355
Title: IMMUNITY IN THE MAMMARY GLAND

Author
item KEHRLI JR, MARCUS - PFIZER, TERRE HAUTE, IN
item Harp, James

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Mastitis, or infection of the mammary gland, is a common and costly disease of dairy cattle in the United States and worldwide. This manuscript summarizes research on the immune mechanisms present in the mammary gland of the cow that protect her from infection. White blood cells are necessary to combat infection of the mammary gland, but excessive accumulation of these cells results in destruction of gland tissue and loss of milk-producing tissue. Chemical substances produced by the cow regulate the accumulation of these cells at the site of infection. Research in this area will contribute to improved methods of controlling mastitis, thus reducing economic loss to dairy farmers, and benefitting the American consumer by reducing use of antibiotics to treat cows with mastitis.

Technical Abstract: The ruminant mammary gland is an extremely important economic organ in that it provides a major nutrition source for a significant portion of the world's human population. The ruminant mammary gland is also responsible for providing protective immunity to neonates and for defending itself from invading pathogens. A wide array of humoral and cellular immune mechanisms are present in the mammary gland and actively participate in providing immunity to newborns, as well as the mammary gland per se. The acute inflammatory response is essential in determining the outcome of intramammary challenge and factors affecting innate and adaptive immunity in the context of mammary health are reviewed in detail. The ruminant mammary gland is also unique in that lymphocyte trafficking, which is essential to adaptive immunity, is shared with the peripheral immune system rather than the common mucosal immune system.