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Flow and composition of afferent mammary gland lymph
R C Gorewit1, K Ostensson, G Astrom
1Lactation Physiology Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Insights
Mammary lymphatic flow in cows is pulsatile and changes significantly during endotoxin-induced mastitis. This study reveals unique lymph composition and an intrinsic lymphatic pumping mechanism affected by inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Physiology
- Immunology
Background:
- The mammary lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining udder health and function.
- Understanding afferent mammary lymphatic flow is essential for diagnosing and treating bovine mastitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize afferent mammary lymphatic flow and composition in lactating cows.
- To investigate the impact of endotoxin-induced mastitis on mammary lymphatic dynamics.
- To compare the composition of mammary lymph and blood plasma.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of mammary lymphatic flow in conscious lactating cows.
- Measurement of lymph flow during milking and endotoxin infusion.
- Analysis of lymph and plasma composition, including proteins, glucose, lipids, and enzymes.
Main Results:
- Mammary lymphatic flow was pulsatile, with distinct episode durations and frequencies.
- Endotoxin-induced mastitis caused a significant 5.5- to 8-fold increase in lymph flow, lasting up to 48 hours.
- Mammary lymph exhibited unique compositional characteristics, with lower concentrations of protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and calcium compared to plasma.
Conclusions:
- Afferent mammary lymph has distinct compositional properties compared to blood plasma.
- The mammary lymphatic system possesses an intrinsic mechanism for lymph movement that is altered by inflammation.
- This research enhances the understanding of the mammary lymphatic system and its response to inflammatory conditions like mastitis.
Abstract:
Afferent mammary lymphatic flow was characterized in conscious lactating cows during milking and prior to, during, and after intramammary infusion of endotoxins. Lymph flow (13 to 45 ml/h) was pulsatile with monophasic and multiphasic episodes. Flow resulted from 62 to 67 episodes per h. Episodes varied from 1 to 53 s in duration. Maximum instantaneous flow ranged from 163 to 245 microliters/s. Flow did not increase consistently during milking. Lymph flow increased (5.5- to 8-fold) during endotoxin-induced mastitis. Flow rates were elevated for up to 48 h after infusion of endotoxin. Compositional comparisons between afferent mammary lymph and blood plasma showed distinct differences. Lymph contained 7, 6, and 10 times less protein, albumin, and globulin, respectively, than did plasma. Glucose concentrations were equivalent. Lymph had 17 times less cholesterol and about one-half as much triglyceride and calcium as did plasma. gamma-Glutamyl-transaminase and aspartate transaminase were substantially higher in plasma than in lymph. Afferent mammary lymph has unique compositional characteristics. The lymph ducts contained an intrinsic mechanism for lymph movement. Moreover, this mechanism was altered by inflammation. The techniques herein provide a better understanding of the mammary lymphatic system.
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