VIABILITY OF MAMMARY BOVINE LEUKOCYTES CHALLENGED WITH ANTI-MASTITIS DRUGS

Abstract The occurrence of viable cells in mammary gland secretions attests the functionality of the defense system. This fact, along with applied medicine, is fundamental for the healing udder. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro viability of milk leukocytes challenged with four intramammary anti-mastitis drugs. We collected eight cow milk samples that were negative after a bacteriological examination. Cell suspensions were submitted to an evaluation of viability through Trypan Blue exclusion before and after incubation with the drugs. Mean pre-incubation viability rate (± standard deviation) of milk cells was 50.17% (± 6.50). Mean post-incubation viability rates (± standard deviation) of control group (devoid of any drug), Drug 1 (anhydrous cephalonium), Drug 2 (gentamicin), Drug 3 (procaine benzylpenicillin associated with dihydrostreptomycin nafcillin), and Drug 4 (benzathine cloxacillin) were, respectively, 31.36% (± 3.61); 26.23% (± 4.49); 7.82% (± 2.33); 3.10% (± 0.94); and 30.33% (± 4.14). The uppermost impairments were found when milk cells were challenged with Drug 2 and Drug 3. Although antimicrobial activity of tested drugs was not appraised, and a single aspect of cell function was tested, we concluded that treatments 2 and 3 could impair the functionality of milk leukocytes and could provide an ineffective immunological response, and an effective response is essential to control mammary infections. Resumo A ocorrência de células viáveis em secreções das glândulas mamárias atestam a funcionalidade do sistema de defesa. Este fato, juntamente com o medicamento aplicado, é fundamental para a cura do úbere. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a viabilidade in vitro de leucócitos do leite desafiados com quatro drogas anti-mastite intramamárias. Foram coletadas oito amostras de leite de vaca negativas no exame bacteriológico. As suspensões de células foram submetidas à avaliação da viabilidade pelo método de exclusão do Azul de Trypan pré-incubação e pós-incubação com os medicamentos. A taxa média de viabilidade pré-incubação (± desvio-padrão) das células do leite foi 50,17% (± 6,50). As taxas médias de viabilidade pós-incubação (± desvio-padrão) de grupo controle (desprovido de qualquer droga), Drogas 1 (cefalônio anidro), 2 (gentamicina), 3 (benzilpenicilina procaína associada a diidroestreptomicina naficilina) e 4 (cloxacilina benzatina) foram, respectivamente, 31,36% (± 3,61); 26.23% (± 4,49); 7,82% (± 2,33); 3,10% (± 0,94