Acute phase proteins: A seasonal perspective on mastitis in Sahiwal cows
Author(s): R Selva Rani
Abstract: The present study evaluated seasonal fluctuations in the acute phase proteins Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Haptoglobin (Hp) in Sahiwal cows diagnosed with clinical and subclinical mastitis. Blood and milk samples were collected during thermoneutral, winter, and summer periods, and concentrations of SAA and Hp were compared between subclinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) groups. The analysis revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of both biomarkers in CM cows across all seasons, reflecting a more pronounced inflammatory response in clinical cases. Notable seasonal effects were observed, with the highest SAA and Hp concentrations occurring in summer, followed by winter and the thermoneutral period. These results indicate that mastitis severity, compounded by heat stress, enhances the acute phase response. The findings further highlight the diagnostic relevance of SAA and Hp for distinguishing mastitis severity and emphasize the importance of adopting season-specific health management strategies to improve udder health in dairy cattle.
