Concepts
Agalactia: The absence of milk secretion or the failure to secrete milk after giving birth, excluding the normal ending of a lactation period.
Adjuvant Therapy: Therapy given after the primary treatment (e.g., surgery) to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Alveoli: Small, sac-like structures in the mammary gland where milk is produced.
Antibodies (Immunoglobulins): Proteins produced by B lymphocytes that bind to specific antigens to help the immune system identify and neutralize pathogens.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): An enzyme whose elevated levels can indicate degradation of muscle cells for energy mobilization.
Average Daily Gain (ADG): The average increase in body weight per day, often used as an indicator of milk production in suckling offspring.
B Lymphocytes (B Cells): A type of lymphocyte that matures in the bone marrow and produces antibodies.
Basophils: A type of white blood cell involved in allergic responses and fighting intestinal parasites.
Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB): A ketone body produced in the liver from acetyl-CoA, serving as an energy source when glucose is depleted; elevated levels can indicate negative energy balance.
Blastocyst: An early stage of embryonic development, consisting of a hollow ball of cells.
BPA (Bisphenol A): A chemical used in plastics and epoxies, classified as an endocrine disruptor.
BRCA1 & BRCA2: Genes associated with an increased hereditary risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Bulk Tank Testing: Testing of milk collected from an entire herd for parameters like somatic cell count and bacteria count, used for mastitis monitoring and quality control.
California Mastitis Test (CMT): A cow-side test used to estimate the somatic cell count in milk, helping to detect mastitis.
Candida Species: Fungal pathogens that can cause mastitis.
Casein Micelles: Protein structures found in milk.
Catabolism: The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, often to release energy.
Chemotaxis: The movement of a cell in response to a chemical stimulus, such as the movement of white blood cells towards a site of infection.
Chronic Mastitis: A form of mastitis that persists in a subclinical state for months to years with occasional clinical flare-ups.
Clinical Mastitis: A noticeable form of mastitis characterized by visible changes in the udder and/or milk.
Colostrum: The first milk produced after birth, rich in antibodies and nutrients.
Contagious Mastitis: Mastitis that spreads from animal to animal, often during milking.
Corynebacterium Bovis: A bacterial pathogen that can cause mastitis, typically associated with infected udders and teat ducts.
Cricoid Fold: A fold of tissue separating the teat cistern and the gland cistern in the mammary gland.
Culture and Sensitivity: A laboratory test to identify the specific microorganism causing an infection and determine its susceptibility to various antibiotics.
DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ): Stage 0 breast cancer where abnormal cells are found only in the lining of a breast duct and have not spread outside the duct.
DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane): A pesticide classified as an endocrine disruptor.
DES (Diethylstilbestrol): A synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen, previously used medically but found to be an endocrine disruptor linked to vaginal tumors.
DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement): An organization providing services like milk testing, including somatic cell count analysis, for dairy farms.
Diapedesis: The process by which white blood cells move from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues to reach a site of infection.
Dopamine Agonist: A substance that binds to and activates dopamine receptors, which can impact prolactin secretion.
Electrical Conductivity: A measure of a substance's ability to conduct electricity, used in milk to detect changes in sodium and potassium levels indicative of mastitis.
Embryonic Diapause: A state of suspended embryonic development.
Endocrine Disruptors: Exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones.
Endogenous: Originating from within an organism, tissue, or cell.
Endotoxin: A component in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria that acts as a potent immune stimulator; also known as LPS.
Environmental Mastitis: Mastitis caused by pathogens found in the animal's environment (e.g., feces, soil, bedding).
Eosinophils: A type of white blood cell involved in allergic responses and fighting intestinal parasites.
Epithelial Cells: Cells that form the lining of surfaces and cavities, such as the alveoli and ducts in the mammary gland.
Ergot Alkaloids: Toxins produced by fungi that can contaminate feed and disrupt milk production by acting as dopamine agonists.
Escherichia (E. coli): A common gram-negative bacterium, often a source of endotoxin, and a cause of environmental mastitis and PDS.
Estrogen-Dependent Cancers: Cancers whose growth is stimulated by the hormone estrogen, including many breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers.
Exogenous: Originating from outside an organism.
Farrowing: The process of a sow giving birth.
Fat Globules: Spherical structures of fat found in milk.
FC Receptor: A receptor found on the surface of certain immune cells (like macrophages) that binds to the FC region (the base of the "Y") of antibodies, facilitating the recognition and phagocytosis of antibody-coated pathogens.
Fibrin Clots: Clumps of protein that can appear in milk during clinical mastitis.
Fomites: Inanimate objects or substances capable of carrying infectious organisms and transferring them from one individual to another.
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): A hormone that stimulates the development of ovarian follicles.
Gland Cistern: The cavity inside the udder, located above the teat cistern.
GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone): A hormone that stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland.
Gram-Negative Bacteria: Bacteria characterized by a cell wall that does not retain the crystal violet stain in the Gram staining method, and which possess an outer membrane containing endotoxin (LPS).
Gram-Positive Bacteria: Bacteria characterized by a cell wall that retains the crystal violet stain in the Gram staining method.
Homeorhesis: The coordinated changes in the metabolism of body tissues necessary to support a dominant physiological state (e.g., lactation).
Homeostasis: The maintenance of physiological equilibrium; maintaining a stable internal environment.
Host: The organism (e.g., cow, lactating woman) affected by a disease agent.
Hydrolytic Enzymes: Enzymes that break down substances by adding water, produced by neutrophils during mastitis and can degrade milk components.
Hyperprolific: Characterized by the ability to reproduce abundantly, typically referring to animals with large litter sizes.
IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1): A metabolic signal that can influence hormone secretion and follicle development.
Incidence: The frequency or rate at which new infections occur in a population over a specific period.
Innate Immunity: The non-specific immune system that provides a rapid, first line of defense against pathogens.
Ingestion: The process of taking a substance (like bacteria) into a cell, as occurs during phagocytosis.
Initiators: Agents that cause the initial genetic mutations leading to cancer.
Involution: The process of regression or shrinking of the mammary gland, typically after lactation ends.
Keratin Lining: A protective layer within the streak canal of the teat.
Ketone Body: An energy source produced by the liver from fatty acids when glucose is not readily available.
Klebsiella: A gram-negative bacterium common in water, a cause of environmental mastitis and PDS.
Lactocytes: Epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the mammary gland responsible for milk production.
Leaky Gut: Increased permeability of the intestinal lining, potentially allowing bacterial toxins (endotoxin) to enter the bloodstream.
Leptin: A hormone produced by fat cells (adipocytes) that indicates adipose tissue mass and regulates appetite; can influence metabolic status and reproduction.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone): A hormone that triggers ovulation and stimulates the production of progesterone.
Lipid A: The most biologically active and toxic portion of the LPS molecule.
Lipophilic: Having an affinity for or soluble in fats or lipids.
LPS (Lipopolysaccharide): The glycolipid component in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, known as endotoxin.
Lymph Nodes: Small, bean-shaped organs of the immune system that filter lymph and house lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes: A type of white blood cell, including T cells and B cells, involved in adaptive immunity.
Macrophages: A type of phagocytic white blood cell involved in engulfing and digesting pathogens and cellular debris; also play a role in presenting antigens to lymphocytes.
Mammary Gland: The organ responsible for producing milk in mammals.
Mastitis: Inflammation of the mammary gland, typically caused by bacterial infection.
Meatus: The most external opening of the streak canal of the teat.
Memory B Cells: B cells that "remember" previous exposure to an antigen and can mount a faster and stronger antibody response upon re-exposure.
Metritis: Inflammation of the uterus.
Micotoxins: Toxic substances produced by fungi that can contaminate feed and cause health problems, including lactation impairment.
Milking Parlor: The area on a dairy farm where cows are milked.
Monocyte: A type of white blood cell that can differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells.
Myoepithelium: Cells that surround the alveoli and ducts in the mammary gland and contract to expel milk during lactation.
Neoadjuvant Therapy: Therapy given before the primary treatment (e.g., surgery).
Neutrophils: The most abundant type of white blood cell in mammals, a type of phagocytic cell that is typically the first to arrive at the site of an infection. Also called polymorphonuclear cells.
Nocardia Species: Bacterial pathogens that can cause mastitis.
Opsinization: The process by which pathogens are coated with antibodies or other immune proteins, making them more easily recognized and engulfed by phagocytic cells.
Oxytocin: A hormone that stimulates milk let-down.
PAMP (Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern): Conserved molecules found on the surface of microorganisms that are recognized by the innate immune system.
Parabens: Chemicals used as preservatives, sometimes classified as endocrine disruptors.
Parity: The number of times an animal has given birth.
Pasturella Species: Bacterial pathogens that can cause mastitis.
PDS (Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome): A pathological condition in postpartum sows characterized by insufficient production of colostrum and milk.
Penetrance: The likelihood that a person with a specific gene mutation will develop the disease associated with that mutation.
Peracute Mastitis: A severe, sudden-onset form of mastitis with a significant systemic response and potential for death.
Phagocytosis: The process by which cells (like macrophages and neutrophils) engulf and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria.
Phthalates: Chemicals used to make plastics more flexible, sometimes classified as endocrine disruptors.
Plasma B Cells: B cells that are actively circulating and producing antibodies in response to current infections.
PMN (Polymorphonuclear Cells): Another term for neutrophils.
Post-Dip: An antiseptic solution applied to the teats after milking to help prevent bacterial infections.
Postpartum Estrus: The return to estrus (heat) after giving birth.
Postpartum Period: The period following childbirth.
PRR (Pattern Recognition Receptor): Receptors expressed on innate immune cells and some non-immune cells that recognize PAMPS and initiate an anti-pathogen immune response.
Pre-Dip: An antiseptic solution applied to the teats before milking to help reduce the bacterial load on the teat surface.
Prevalence: The percentage of animals infected at any given time in a population.
Prolactin: A hormone that stimulates milk production.
Prolificacy: The ability to reproduce abundantly, often measured by litter size and number of litters per year in swine.
Promoters: Agents that stimulate the proliferation of mutated cells, contributing to cancer progression.
Progression Factors: Factors that contribute to the growth and spread of cancerous cells.
Prototheca Species: Algal pathogens that can cause mastitis.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: A bacterial pathogen common in water, which can cause mastitis, especially if cows have access to standing water.
Pyometra: An infection of the uterus, often characterized by the accumulation of pus.
Rectal Temperature: Body temperature measured rectally, often used as an indicator of inflammation or infection.
Rosetta Fenberg: Cells located at the inner end of the streak canal that produce white blood cells, providing a defense against bacterial invasion.
SCC (Somatic Cell Count): The number of somatic cells (primarily white blood cells and epithelial cells) in milk, used as an indicator of mastitis.
Serratia Species: Bacterial pathogens that can cause mastitis.
Sphincter Muscle (Meatus): A muscle at the external opening of the teat (meatus) that helps close off the teat; its strength can be heritable.
Sporadic Breast Cancer: Breast cancer that develops without a clear hereditary cause.
Streak Canal: The opening from the teat cistern to the outside of the teat, acting as the first line of defense against bacterial invasion.
Streptococcus Agalactiae: A contagious bacterial pathogen, a leading cause of subclinical mastitis.
Streptococcus Dysgalactiae: A bacterial pathogen that can cause mastitis, often considered environmental.
Streptococcus Uberis: A bacterial pathogen that can cause mastitis, often considered environmental.
Subacute Mastitis: A mild form of clinical mastitis with small flakes or off-color milk, often with no visible changes in the udder.
Subclinical Mastitis: Mastitis without visible signs of inflammation in the udder or milk; often detected by increased somatic cell count.
T Lymphocytes (T Cells): A type of lymphocyte that matures in the thymus and is involved in cell-mediated immunity; includes killer T cells (that kill infected cells) and helper T cells (that assist B cells).
Teat Cistern: The cavity inside the teat.
Tight Junctions: Structures that form a barrier between adjacent epithelial cells, regulating the passage of substances between cells.
Vasodilation: The widening of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to an area, as occurs during inflammation to bring immune cells to a site of infection.
Vectors: Organisms (like flies) that can transmit infectious agents from one host to another.
Windows of Vulnerability: Specific periods of time during development or life stages when an organism is particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of exposure to certain agents (e.g., carcinogens, endocrine disruptors).