scholarly journals Factors Determining the Susceptibility of Cows to Mastitis and Losses Incurred by Producers Due to the Disease – A Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 819-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zygmunt Litwińczuk ◽  
Jolanta Król ◽  
Aneta Brodziak

Abstract The aim of the paper was to discuss the factors determining the susceptibility of cows to mastitis, the most important for breeders, including losses incurred by milk producers due to the disease. Inflammations of mammary gland are common and the most awkward problem which dairy farmers face around the world. In the case of clinical udder inflammation, it is estimated that the cost of mastitis is about 200 € per cow with fluctuations from 100 even up to 1000 €. Resistance, i.e. the susceptibility of cows to mastitis, is conditioned genetically. The possibility of BoLA and lactoferrin gene polymorphism, using in the selection cows resistant to mastitis, is indicated. Bacteria inhabiting the mammary gland, and the living environment of animals are primarily the main etiological factor. Moreover, many authors indicate the differences between breeds of cows in resistance to mastitis. High-productive breeds are generally more susceptible to the udder inflammation, in comparison to the local breeds. The greatest reduction in milk yield is observed in the case of these breeds, and especially in Holstein-Friesian breed, in which the decline of daily yield at somatic cell count (SCC) amounting above 500,000 per ml of milk can reach 25%. The probability of mastitis occurrence increases with an age of cows and following lactation, and dry period is a time of increased risk. Higher incidence of inflammation is also associated with abnormalities in the construction of the udder (unevenly developed quarters, too long or too short teats). In recent years, a possible relationship between feeding system of cows with their resistance to udder infections has been reported. It is emphasized that a deficiency of selenium and vitamins A and E in the ration may contribute to the increase in the number of mastitis incidences. There are, however, unclear opinions of various authors on the effect of automatic milking system on udder health.

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Elmy Mariana

Polymorphism analysis of lactoferrin gene on holstein-friesian cow with PCR-RFLP methodABSTRACT. The purposes of this study were to identify the polymorphism of the lactoferrin gene in Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows. The study was conducted on 281 heads of HF lactating cows coming from dairy farmers in Lembang district. Investigation on variant genotypes of the lactoferrin gene used PCR-RFLP method. Genotyping of the lactoferrin gene with EcoRI restriction enzyme produced two genotypes, i.e. AA (65.5%) and AB (34.5%) genotypes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
Elmy Mariana

Association of Lactoferrin Polymhorphism on Milk Yield and Milk Quality in Holstein-Friesian Dairy CowsABSTRACT. The purposes of this study were to identify the polymorphism of the lactoferrin gene and the association of genetic variants of the lactoferrin gene on milk quality in Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows. The study was conducted on 194 heads of HF lactating cows coming from semi intensive of small dairy farmers in two villages of the KPSBU Lembang, Lembang district. Investigation on variant genotypes of the lactoferrin gene used PCR-RFLP method. Genotyping of the lactoferrin gene with EcoRI restriction enzyme produced two genotypes, i.e. AA (65%) and AB (35%) genotypes. Both the AA and AB genotypes had inconsistency in controlling component of the milk quality. Further, the AB lactoferrin cows had a higher frequency in the classification of low somatic cells count (0.75), while the AA cows were at a higher frequency in the classification of high somatic cells count (0.60). It was concluded that there is no strong relationship between intron 6 lactoferrin gene with milk quality parameters. Further, the AB genotype of the lactoferrin gene had a consistency in producing lower somatic cells count compared to the AA genotype.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 3133
Author(s):  
Jonata De Melo Barbieri ◽  
Yuly Andrea Caicedo Blanco ◽  
Renato Ribeiro de Lima ◽  
Marcos Aurélio Lopes ◽  
Eduardo Mitke Brandão Reis ◽  
...  

This work assessed the effectiveness and net operational costs of a strategic selective treatment for controlling ectoparasites (Rhipicephalus microplus, as well as Dermatobia hominis and Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae) and hemoparasites (Anaplasma marginale and Babesia spp.) in Holstein Friesian calves. Thirty calves were equally distributed in two groups: ST) strategic selective treatment and CT) conventional treatment. From birth, calves were monitored biweekly until 12 months of age. The CT group was subjected to parasite control according to directions provided by the veterinarian at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Lavras (FE/UFLA), whereas parasite control of the ST group followed criteria we had previously established. The ST group experienced fewer changes in physical traits on average and lower globular volume (GV) than the CT group (p < 0.05). Approximately 23% of ST calves exhibited external omphalitis, compared with 48% CT calves (p < 0.001). Additionally, ST calves were less affected than CT calves (p < 0.05) by R. microplus females and D. hominis larvae. Seropositivity rates from the indirect immunofluorescence reaction for A. marginale and B. bovis were similar for both groups (ST: 85.6% and 87.8%, respectively; CT: 83.2% and 83.2%). Additionally, subclinical (asymptomatic infection) anaplasmosis predominated in both groups during the dry period of the year. The daily average weight gains (DWG) were identical among ST (580 g) and CT (570 g), but the effective operational cost (EOC) was 3.7 times greater in ST (R$ 406.58/animal) compared with CT (R$ 110.90/animal). Laboratory exams to monitor the animals represented the largest share of the cost (82.7%) in ST, whereas drug expenses represented the highest costs (49.8%) in CT. Despite having a greater EOC, ST was more efficient at reducing parasite burdens than CT. Calves in the former group presented fewer R. microplus or D. hominis, and experienced a lower percentage of hemolytic anemia (VG < 24%). However, ST no affected the dynamic of A. marginale- and B. bovis-related infections, indicating that the FE/UFLA may be characterized as enzootically stable for these species.


2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
T.O.R. Macdonald ◽  
J.S. Rowarth ◽  
F.G. Scrimgeour

The link between dairy farm systems and cost of environmental compliance is not always clear. A survey of Waikato dairy farmers was conducted to establish the real (non-modelled) cost of compliance with environmental regulation in the region. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered to improve understanding of compliance costs and implementation issues for a range of Waikato farm systems. The average oneoff capital cost of compliance determined through a survey approach was $1.02 per kg milksolids, $1490 per hectare and $403 per cow. Costs experienced by Waikato farmers have exceeded average economic farm surplus for the region in the past 5 years. As regulation increases there are efficiencies to be gained through implementing farm infrastructure and farm management practice to best match farm system intensity. Keywords: Dairy, compliance, farm systems, nitrogen, Waikato


Author(s):  
Abdul Rahman Ramdzan ◽  
Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf ◽  
Azimatun Noor Aizuddin ◽  
Zarina A. Latiff ◽  
Keng Wee Teik ◽  
...  

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Approximately 3–5% of CRCs are associated with hereditary cancer syndromes. Individuals who harbor germline mutations are at an increased risk of developing early onset CRC, as well as extracolonic tumors. Genetic testing can identify genes that cause these syndromes. Early detection could facilitate the initiation of targeted prevention strategies and surveillance for CRC patients and their families. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of CRC genetic testing. We utilized a cross-sectional design to determine the cost-effectiveness of CRC genetic testing as compared to the usual screening method (iFOBT) from the provider’s perspective. Data on costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 200 CRC patients from three specialist general hospitals were collected. A mixed-methods approach of activity-based costing, top-down costing, and extracted information from a clinical pathway was used to estimate provider costs. Patients and family members’ HRQoL were measured using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Data from the Malaysian Study on Cancer Survival (MySCan) were used to calculate patient survival. Cost-effectiveness was measured as cost per life-year (LY) and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The provider cost for CRC genetic testing was high as compared to that for the current screening method. The current practice for screening is cost-saving as compared to genetic testing. Using a 10-year survival analysis, the estimated number of LYs gained for CRC patients through genetic testing was 0.92 years, and the number of QALYs gained was 1.53 years. The cost per LY gained and cost per QALY gained were calculated. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) showed that genetic testing dominates iFOBT testing. CRC genetic testing is cost-effective and could be considered as routine CRC screening for clinical practice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (06) ◽  
pp. 343-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Wente ◽  
Jan-Hendrik Paduch ◽  
Doris Klocke ◽  
Elisabeth Mansion-de Vries ◽  
Martina Hoedemaker ◽  
...  

SummaryObjective: The aim of the study was to investigate the use of somatic cell count (SCC) and aerobic bacterial counts as possible tools to choose animals for selective dry cow treatment (DCT) on cow level. Blanket antibiotic DCT is an approved and common method in Germany aimed at increasing the cure rate of existing intramammary infections (IMI) at the time of drying off and decreasing the risk of new infections during the dry period. However, not all animals benefit equally from an antibiotic DCT. Moreover, dairies, consumers and politicians demand a reduction in the use of antibiotics in farm animals. Several criteria for identifying animals which would benefit from antibiotic DCT have been described in the literature. Material and methods: Animals chosen for this investigation were divided into three study groups: Aerobic Count Petrifilm® group A (153 cows), SCC group S (160 cows) and control group C (169 cows). All quarters were treated with an internal teat sealant (ITS) no matter which group the cows belonged to. Results: Group C, in which all cows received an antibiotic DCT, achieved the best results referred to udder health, particularly regarding bacteriological dry period cure. However, the results of the two study groups A and S, in which the animals were dried off selectively, were only marginally worse. A significant difference regarding bacterial dry period cure was revealed between group S and group C (p = 0.039), whereas no significant difference concerning new IMI risk could be detected between the three study groups. Compared to a blanket antibiotic DCT of all cows in the corresponding study group, a reduction of the usage of antibiotics of 23.5 % (A) and 55 % (S) was noticed, respectively. Furthermore, it could be shown that the lactation number as well as the microorganisms present at the time of drying off influence udder health. Conclusion: Selective DCT is an alternative method to the widespread blanket antibiotic DCT. However, it has to be mentioned that selective DCT involves the described marginal decline in udder health and the additional amount of time, which might arise from the procedure of choosing the right animals and performing the applied rapid test methods.


1973 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. HARTMANN

SUMMARY Mammary secretion (1·2–2·0 ml) was collected from the milk sinus of each mammary gland (quarter) of two pregnant heifers and eight pregnant cows (dry period 49–229 days), first at weekly intervals from 40 days before parturition, then with increasing frequency as parturition approached. The progressive changes in the concentration of lactose, glucose, casein, non-casein protein and fat in the mammary secretion were determined. Calves were separated from the cows immediately after birth and the yield and composition of milk from individual quarters were determined for 5 days after parturition. Two quarters (milked quarters) of each of a further five cows were milked throughout pregnancy, while the other two quarters (unmilked quarters) of each cow were allowed to involute (dry off) 63– 104 days before parturition. Small samples (5–10 ml) of secretion were collected from the unmilked quarters, first at weekly intervals after drying off and then every second day from 10 to 15 days before parturition. On the days that the unmilked quarters were sampled, corresponding composite milk samples were collected from the milked quarters and the progressive changes in the yield of milk, lactose and fat were determined. The changes in the concentration of lactose and glucose in the mammary secretion, during drying off in late lactation, were determined in an additional five cows. In most cows allowed a usual dry period, and in the unmilked quarters of cows in which two quarters were milked throughout pregnancy, the concentration of lactose gradually increased from about 8 to 12 days before parturition to reach levels of about half those found in normal milk just before parturition. However, in some cows the concentration of lactose was low until 1–2 days before parturition and then increased abruptly, whereas in others the concentration of lactose increased slowly from as early as 32 days before parturition. A further rapid increase in the concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion occurred between 0 and 4 days before parturition in all cows. This latter increase was accompanied by an abrupt increase in the yield of milk, lactose and fat in the milked quarters of the cows in which two quarters were milked throughout pregnancy. These observations suggest that the initiation of lactation in the cow develops in two phases, a limited secretion of milk constituents occurs in late pregnancy and then 0–4 days before parturition copious secretion (lactogenesis) occurs.


1996 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 1198-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Molenaar ◽  
Y.M. Kuys ◽  
S.R. Davis ◽  
R.J. Wilkins ◽  
P.E. Mead ◽  
...  

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