Evaluation of chemical elements as potential biomarkers in the treatment of goat mastitis

Mastitis represents a significant inflammatory condition in dairy goat herds, causing substantial economic losses through reduced milk production and increased veterinary interventions. The escalating challenge of multidrug-resistant bacteria has prompted research into alternative therapeutic strategies, including milk microbiota transfer (MMT) and phytochemical treatments. This study evaluated milk chemical elements as biomarkers during two alternative treatments for Staphylococcus warneri -induced mastitis: milk microbiota transplantation and intra-mammary infusion of 7-epiclusianone, a phytochemical derived from Garcinia brasiliensis fruit. The experimental design involved seven female Parda Alpina goats, with six goats infected with S. warneri treated using milk from a healthy donor. Intra-mammary 7-epiclusianone was administered two days post-MMT. The right udder received the treatments, with the left udder serving as a control. Elemental analysis of 120 milk samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy, monitoring trace and macro elements. Significant elemental composition variations were observed, with iron, copper, and zinc showing immediate responsiveness from the first day of MMT. Most elements exhibited minor fluctuations, returning to control levels by the treatment's conclusion. The 7-epiclusianone treatment maintained stable elemental concentrations when compared to the control and a reduction in sodium levels was observed. The study identifies zinc, copper, iron, and sodium as promising biomarkers during goat mastitis treatment. The combined MMT and 7-epiclusianone approach aligned milk elemental level with the control levels post treatment, offering a non-invasive method for monitoring mastitis treatment efficacy. Future research should validate these elemental biomarkers across larger and more diverse goat populations.