CONCENTRATIONS OF ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL AFTER INTRAMAMMARY INFUSION OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI OR LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE

Fifteen Holstein cows were used in a trial involving intramammary chal lenge to determine the effects of acute clinical mastitis on the conce ntrations of alpha-tocopherol in milk and plasma and the concentration s of neutrophils in milk and blood. Cows were assigned to one of three experimental groups challenged by intramammary infusion of lipopolysa ccharide, Escherichia coli, or sterile phosphate-buffered saline. All quarters infused with lipopolysaccharide or E. coli were diagnosed wit h clinical mastitis on d 1 and 2 after challenge. Acute inflammation c aused by intramammary infusion of lipopolysaccharide or E. coli result ed in increased concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in milk in challeng ed quarters but had no effect on concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in plasma. Concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in milk. and blood neutrop hils did not differ among treatment groups. Concentrations of alpha-to copherol did not differ between milk and blood neutrophils. Approximat ely 25% of the alpha-tocopherol in milk from glands with clinical mast itis was associated with neutrophils, and <10% of the alpha-tocopherol in milk from nonmastitic glands was associated with neutrophils. A sh ift toward sources of alpha-tocopherol other than synthesized milk fat occurred during acute inflammation in the mammary gland.