Interferon-γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Levels in Sera and Whey of Cattle with Naturally Occurring Coliform Mastitis

Abstract

Concentrations of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined in serum and whey samples from cattle with naturally occurring coliform mastitis for two weeks after onset using bovine INF-γ- and TNF-α-specific ELISA. In serum and whey samples from healthy cows, IFN-γ was almost undetectable and TNF-α was detected at low levels. At the onset of illness, INF-γ in sera and whey and TNF-α in whey from the mastitic cows were significantly higher than their respective values in healthy cows. Concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α in whey from mastitic cattle decreased significantly as the cows recovered.