Depression of B-Lymphocytes by Mastitis and Treatment with Levamisole

Abstract

Proportion of B-lymphocytes in milk and blood decreased simultaneously with development of mastitis induced with endotoxin and recovered with disappearance of clinical signs. However, the change in T-lymphocytes was slight. The reduced percentage of B-lymphocytes was caused by reduction in absolute number of such cells. When used orally, levamisole increased the proportion B-lymphocytes of milk to the same as or more than that of similar cells in peripheral blood. This compound may enhance activity of the bovine mammary immune system and be of value for control of bovine mastitis. © 1993, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.