Respiratory Burst Activity of Phagocytic Cells Isolated from the Mammary Glands and Blood of Camels (Camelus bactrianns)

Abstract

The oxidative burst activity of phagocytic cells isolated from camel blood and mammary glands was studied using a chemiluminescence (Cl) assay. The polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) isolated from camel blood mounted a luminol-dependent Cl response upon stimulation with opsonized zymosan or opsonized Staphylococcus aureus. These responses showed an overall similarity to those described in other mammalian species. The leucocytes isolated from the mammary glands mounted Cl responses similar to those observed with blood PMNL but to a lower magnitude. Like the Cl responses of blood cells, the Cl responses induced by mammary gland leucocytes were associated with degranulation and the release of lysosomal enzymes such as myeloperoxidase (MPO).