Pathophysiological effects of endotoxins in ruminants

Summary

Metabolic disturbances following intravenous and intramammary administration of endotoxins in ruminants are described. In contrast to the similarity in response of blood biochemical parameters after intravenous and intramammary administrations of endotoxins, responses in plasma concentrations of enzyme activities, the thyroid hormones, cortisol, and somatotropin differ markedly. Biochemical changes in blood after endotoxin administration are predominantly dose‐dependent; thus some of the biochemical parameters ‐ especially plasma concentrations of Fe and Zn ‐ serve also to evaluate the effects of certain drugs in endotoxin models.

Changes in milk composition have been documented only after intramammary infusion of endotoxins and can partly be explained by the increased permeability of the blood/milk barrier. Appearance and production of milk returns to normal within a week after intramammary endotoxin treatment, indicating that the mammary gland is only temporarily damaged by endotoxin‐induced mastitis.

Notes

Department of Herd Health and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.

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Department of Veterinary Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ghent, Casinoplein 24, B‐ 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, University of Utrecht, Biltstraat 172, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. A C. M. Lohuis

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