Concentration of ascorbic acid in the blood of cows with subclinical mastitis.

Abstract

The aim of the investigations was evaluation of ascorbic acia concentration in the blood or cows in the subclinical form of mastitis. The research was conducted on 56 cows. The cows were divided into 4 groups: A, B, and C with subclinical form of mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia col, and D control. The ascorbic acid concentration in the serum of cows was measured by the hydrazine method. We observed a marked decrease in ascorbic acid concentration in the serum of cows from experimental groups A, B and C, respectively: 34.2, 35.9, and 39.4 micromol/dm3 when we compared them with control group D--69.8 micromol/dm3. In cows with subclinical form of inflammation of the mammary gland, a decreased potential of antioxidant protection in the blood was noticed, which manifested itself as a lower ascorbic acid concentration.