Copper status and SOD activity in blood of cows affected with clinical mastitis

The aim of the research was to evaluate serum copper concentration and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in the erythrocytes of cows with clinical mastitis. Forty-four cows were divided into four groups: A, B, and C with clinical form of mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli, respectively, and healthy control group D. Copper concentration was determined by the ASA method, and SOD in the erythrocytes was measured by the SOD test. A marked increase in the blood indices tested was observed in all cows with clinical mastitis. Copper concentrations were: 14.7, 12.4, and 15.9 mu mol/dm(3) in groups A, B, and C, respectively, and superoxide dismutase activity was 1231.1, 1109.4, and 1321.5 U/g Hb, respectively, while in the group D, the values were: 9.11 mu mol/dm(3) for Cu concentration and 992.2 U/g Hb for SOD activity.