Expression of L-Selectin in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes of Crossbred Cows Affected with Subclinical Mastitis

L-Selectin (SELL) linked with innate immune mechanism involved in neutrophil migration through endothelium to the site of inflammation. Early recruitment of neutrophils at the site of infection is essential to counteract infection at the earliest in conditions like sub-clinical mastitis (SCM). The present study was framed to evaluate the expression pattern of SELL in naturally occurring SCM in crossbred animals using real time PCR technique. Analysis of data on total leukocyte count indicated leucocytosis condition in SCM affected crossbred cows. Relative expression of SELL on peripheral blood leukocytes revealed a significant 3.16 folds down regulation in SCM affected cows when compared with healthy crossbred cows (P<0.05). The possible reason for leukocytosis in SCM animals might be due to down regulation of SELL on leukocytes reducing their ability to transmigrate through blood vessel to infection site. The result of present study revealed a definite role of SELL in SCM which could be explored for therapeutic aspects in near future.