Effects of the nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory agent sodium salicylate on
endotoxin-induced
mastitis were evaluated in lactating cows.
Escherichia coli endotoxin was administered to a mammary quarter 1 h after initiation of a 12-h i.v. infusion of
sodium salicylate. Milk SCC, BSA concentrations in milk, mammary
inflammation, rectal temperature, appetite, milk production, and plasma and lymph
PGF2 alpha were monitored. Gross mammary
inflammation was not reduced by
salicylate infusion, nor did
sodium salicylate prevent increased milk SCC or BSA concentrations in milk, although treatment tended to decrease the magnitude of these responses.
Sodium salicylate decreased subcutaneous abdominal vein
PGF2 alpha metabolite, and
PGF2 alpha metabolite tended to be reduced in lymph during the acute phase of
inflammation. The increased rectal temperature after
endotoxin infusion was reduced in cows treated with
sodium salicylate. Appetite was reduced after
endotoxin infusion in untreated cows and those treated with
sodium salicylate. Milk production declined after
endotoxin challenge in all cows. Although
sodium salicylate did not substantially reduce mammary
inflammation, it had an
antipyretic effect and reduced
PGF2 alpha metabolite in mammary blood.