Serum and milk iron levels during sheep intramammary infection caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci

The concentration of iron (Fe) in the milk and serum of sheep was determined before and during experimental intramammary infection (IMI) by coagulase-negative staphylococci (C-NS). Fe cona centration of normal milk and serum samples was 0.24 mu g/mL and 1.56 mu g/mL respectively. Presence of C-NS in the mammary gland resulted in a significant increase in milk-iron concentration (p < 0.001) and a decrease in the serum-iron concentration. Serum-iron concentration was significantly decreased (p = 0.04) one d after the intramammary introduction of C-NS and 29 d later (p = 0.03).