The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as an alternative to antimicrobial usage has been proposed for the control of bovine mastitis. However, before its application, the in vivo effects of the LAB on mammary gland must be carefully evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine whether the intramammary infusion of Weissella confusa and its metabolites in cows affects the somatic cell counts (SCCs) and milk differential leukocyte count. Twenty-four mammary quarters of six Hartón del Valle cows were selected for the investigation. A 5mL aliquot of an aqueous solution of W. confusa cells (W) (concentration of 109cfu mL-1), 5mL of W. confusa cells with its metabolites (W+W10b) or 5mL of metabolites (W10b) was randomly applied to three mammary quarters of each cow. The remaining teat on each udder represented the experimental control units (C). At 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13 and 15 days post-infusion (PI), the SCCs, pH, titrable acidity and milk differential leukocyte count were evaluated. The application of the three biological substances produced significant increases in SCCs, pH and polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts. No significant differences between W and W+W10b infusion were found. W10b resulted in a lesser alteration on the variables evaluated. The results suggest that the intramammary infusion of W. confusa and its metabolites affect the SCCs and milk differential leukocyte count in cows.
lactic acid bacteria; leukocytes; mastitis.
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