Effect of Deoxyribonuclease on the California Test for Mastitis

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Abstract
Gel characteristics of positive California Mastitis Test (CMT) reactions were produced in normal milks by the addition of nucleated but not non-nucleated body cells. Treatment of milks from acutely mastitic quarters with 5 X recrystalized deoxyribonuclease at levels as low as 1.65 [mu]g/ml completely abolished the CMT. This effect was produced whether the enzyme was added to the milk prior to testing or after gel formation. Trypsin or ribonuclease had no effect. This suggests that polymerized DNA originating from cells of the inflammatory exudate in mastitic milk is the component responsible for positive CMT reactions.

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