EXPERIMENTAL MASTITOGENICITY OF MOLLICUTES ORIGINATED FROM BOVINES WITH REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS IN RAT MAMMARY-GLAND MODEL

Rat mammary gland model was used to test mastitogenicity of Mollicutes (Mycoplasma, Acholeoplasma) from various bovine reproductive disorder s. The progress of infection was monitored in terms of gross and histo pathological lesions of mamary tissues and reisolation of inoculated m ollicutes at necropsy. The tested Mollicutes could be categorized into 2 groups : (i) M. mycoides subsp. mycoides (LC), M. bovis, M. bovigen italium, M. bovoculi, M. arginini (type strain G-230), A. granularum a s mastitogenic, and (ii) A. axanthum, A. laidlawii, A. oculi and M. sp . (ungrouped) as non-mastitogenic to rat mammary gland. Thus, rat-mamm ary gland model is recommended for use as a suitable and economical mo del for determining the mastitogenicity of mollicutes.