RESPIRATORY BURST ACTIVITY OF PHAGOCYTIC-CELLS ISOLATED FROM THE MAMMARY-GLANDS AND BLOOD OF CAMELS (CAMELUS BACTRIANNS)

The oxidative burst activity of phagocytic cells isolated from camel b lood and mammary glands was studied using a chemiluminescence (Cl) ass ay. The polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) isolated from camel blood mounted a luminol-dependent Cl response upon stimulation with opsonize d zymosan or opsonized Staphylococcus aureus. These responses showed a n overall similarity to those described in other mammalian species. Th e leucocytes isolated from the mammary glands mounted Cl responses sim ilar to those observed with blood PMNL but to a lower magnitude. Like the Cl responses of blood cells, the Cl responses induced by mammary g land leucocytes were associated with degranulation and the release of lysosomal enzymes such as myeloperoxidase (MPO).