Whey Protein Patterns of Milk from Cows with Experimentally Produced Mastitis

Abstract

Summary Whey protein patterns were determined on milk samples from cows in which experimentally induced mastitis was being studied. In two trials in which the cows showed increased temperatures, decreased production, and grossly abnormal milk, there were marked changes in the whey protein patterns. In the third trial, the attempt to produce mastitis resulted in increased cell counts and CMT scores, but no other definite evidence of mastitis. The changes in the whey protein patterns of samples collected during this trial were slight. In the third trial, it appeared that increases in cell numbers and CMT scores were more sensitive than changes in whey proteins as indicators of inflammation of the mammary gland. Whey protein analysis may be useful in studying the physiological responses in attempts to experimentally induce mastitis under controlled conditions.