Proteic composition of corpora amylacea in the bovine mammary gland

Abstract

Histochemical studies of mammary gland sections obtained from healthy lactating Prim'Holstein cows contained numerous corpora amylacea, mainly located in active alveoli. Observations by electron microscopy revealed a cauliflower shape, with a fibrillar or multilayered organization. Mineral studies confirmed the presence of high calcium levels (12.3% of dry matter) and phosphorus (7.4%) in the corpora amylacea composition. These bodies stained positive to Von Kossa silver nitrate and to Periodic acid-Schiff. However, depending on the gland of origin, corpora amylacea stained positive or negative to Congo red. Histochemical studies seemed, therefore, insufficient to determine the presence or absence of amyloid. The amount of total protein varied by approximately 25%. Immunoblotting and analysis of the amino acid sequence of a peptidic fragment obtained from corpora amylacea gave clear evidence of the occurrence of caseins, β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin. However, the comparison between the amino acid composition of corpora amylacea and those of the main milk proteins indicated the presence of other proteins. Electrophoretic analysis also gave evidence of the presence of several other proteins, i.e. glycoproteins. Therefore, it is probable that corpora amylacea composition is much more complex than previously reported.