Quarter Milk Variation in Immunoglobulins and Ability to Support Phagocytosis

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Abstract
Milk samples were collected from 2 quarters in each of 8 cows that had Wisconsin Mastitis Test scores of < 8.0. After letdown was stimulated 35 ml of foremilk, the sixth 35 ml (middle milk) and 45 ml of strippings were collected by hand. Measured on each fraction were immunoglobulins, serum albumin, total protein, pH, percentage fat, Wisconsin Mastitis Test and the ability of skim milk and whole milk to support phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by isolated donor milk neutrophils. Foremilk and middle milk differed in immunoglobulin M (.014-.018 mg/ml) and in the ability of whole milk to support phagocytosis (32-28% S. aureus phagocytosed). The following measures differed from middle milk to strippings: immunoglobulin A (.063-.083 mg/ml); immunoglobulin G1 (.238-.302 mg/ml); immunoglobulin M (.018-.023 mg/ml); fat (3.9-7.4%); and Wisconsin Mastitis Test (5.0-9.2). Immunoglobulin G2, bovine serum albumin, total protein, pH and the ability of skim milk and whole milk to support phagocytosis did not change. Although small differences may exist between foremilk and middle milk, foremilk gave reliable estimates.