Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the applicability of the direct determination of trace and major element concentrations in serum samples collected from Holstein dairy cattle with acute coliform mastitis (n = 53) compared with a healthy control group (n = 39). Twenty-eight elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ce, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, and Pb) were detected by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Significant differences were observed in serum K, Fe, Zn, and Br concentrations, but not in those of the remaining twenty-four elements. Furthermore, serum Fe concentrations (0.751 +/- 0.583 mu g/ml, n = 18) were significantly lower in dairy cattle with a poor prognosis than in those with a good prognosis (0.945 +/- 0.393 mu g/ml, n = 35, P 0.05) and healthy controls (1.458 +/- 0.391 mu g/ml, n = 39, P 0.01). We proposed a diagnostic cut-off point for serum Fe concentrations of 0.82 mu g/ml based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in order to identify cattle with a poor prognosis. The results of the present study indicated that assessing the elemental composition of serum, particularly iron, is a promising prognostic tool for determining the outcomes of cattle with severe acute coliform mastitis.