[C-reactive protein as a new parameter of mastitis]

The C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein. Its deposit can be seen on several animal species. Following the development of a test system (enzyme-immunoassay/EIA) for the quantitative determination of bovine CRP, it was possible to detect this protein in bovine raw milk for the first time. It was shown in the first extensive investigations that the CRP concentration in raw milk was increased, sometimes as much as tenfold as a result of udder inflammation (mastitis). In several screening analyses of a herd of cows, the CRP-values were compared with the somatic cell number, fat, protein and lactose content. The degree of CRP concentrations in raw milk in cows suffering from mastitis during the antibiotic treatment was reflected in the treatment success. When CRP was used as an additional parameter of selection, a better average udder health could be seen after five months. The first results of our investigations demonstrate that CRP is a practicable indicator of inflammation and may be effectively used to determine and control udder illness in cows.