Frequency of isolation of environmental mastitis-causing pathogens and incidence of new intramammary infection during the nonlactating period

Quarter samples (n = 6,328) of mammary secretions were collected from 160 cows during physiologic transitions of the udder to determine the frequency of isolation of mastitis-causing pathogens and the incidence of new intramammary infections (IMI) during the nonlactating period. None of the cows in the herd was infected with Streptococcus agalactiae, and the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was low. Cows were not treated with antibiotics at cessation of milking. A threefold increase in the percentage of quarters infected with major mastitis-causing pathogens developed from late lactation to early involution. Coliforms and streptococci other than Str agalactiae accounted for 94% of major pathogen infections. The number of quarters infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci increased slightly from late lactation to early involution, whereas the number of quarters infected with Corynebacterium bovis decreased markedly. Major pathogens caused 101 of 153 IMI at parturition and greater than 90% were caused by streptococci and coliforms. At parturition, 51 of 52 minor pathogen IMI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci. During early lactation, there was a marked decrease in quarters infected with major pathogens; however, the number of quarters with major pathogen IMI during early lactation was 2.3 times higher than the number of quarters infected before cessation of milking. The number of quarters with minor pathogen IMI during early lactation was the same as at parturition, but a marked decrease in quarters infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci and a marked increase in C bovis IMI developed from parturition to early lactation.     

Risk factors associated with mastitis in dairy goats

Prevalence of intramammary infection in healthy goats was determined from 4,662 composite udder samples taken over a 9-month period. For each doe, a colostral sample and 2 milk samples were collected. Breed, age, number of days not lactating before kidding, number of lactation days, and kidding date were recorded. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp were isolated from 17.5% of does, Staphylococcus aureus from 3.1%, Mycoplasma spp from 1.2%, Streptococcus spp from 0.3%, and gram-negative bacteria from 2.0%. Gram-negative organisms were associated with intermittent infections, whereas coagulase-negative staphylococci were associated with persistent infections. Intramammary infection was related to breed, number of days not lactating, and number of lactation days, as determined by log-linear analysis. Does of the Nubian breed, does with nonlactating periods of greater than 60 days, and does in the first and last third of a standard 305-day lactation appeared to be at higher risk for intramammary infection.     

Pathogen group specific risk factors at herd, heifer and quarter levels for intramammary infections in early lactating dairy heifers

Risk factors for intramammary infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, contagious major pathogens and environmental major pathogens in early lactating heifers were evaluated at the herd, heifer and quarter levels. In total, 764 quarters of 191 dairy heifers in 20 randomly selected farms in Flanders (Belgium) were sampled. Quarter milk samples were collected between 1 and 4 days in milk and between 5 and 8 days in milk for bacteriological culture. Data were analyzed using multivariable, multilevel logistic regression analysis. Higher average herd milk somatic cell count (>200,000 cells/mL), not having an effective fly control strategy, contact with lactating cows prior to calving and moderate to severe udder edema prior to calving increased the odds of intramammary infections caused by contagious major pathogens. Poor heifer hygiene and lack of mineral/vitamin supplementation prior to calving were risk factors for intramammary infection caused by environmental major pathogens. Teat apex colonization with coagulase-negative staphylococci prior to calving seemed to protect quarters against intramammary infections caused by major pathogens. Poor heifer hygiene before calving, a non-clipped udder and not practicing of teat dipping prior to calving increased the odds of intramammary infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci. Although management is important in the prevention and control of intramammary infections in early lactating heifers, most variation in the prevalence of intramammary infections resided at the heifer and quarter levels, indicating that the susceptibility for intramammary infections around calving is mainly determined by heifer and quarter characteristics.     

Cause, occurrence, and clinical signs of mastitis and anorexia in cows in a Wisconsin study

Microbiologic culture revealed the following cause of mastitis and anorexia in 145 cows in Wisconsin to be Escherichia coli, 66 cows; Klebsiella spp, 3; Corynebacterium pyogenes, 27; streptococci, 21; staphylococci, 20; yeasts, 1; and no bacterial growth, 7. Mastitis was detected with approximately equal frequency throughout the year. Escherichia coli was isolated throughout the year, but was more common and was the predominant organism during the summer. Corynebacterium pyogenes was isolated most often in winter and spring; streptococci in fall, winter, and spring; and staphylococci throughout the year. Corynebacterium pyogenes caused most of the mastitis in nonlactating cows. Escherichia coli, C pyogenes, streptococci, and staphylococci were isolated with about equal frequency at parturition, whereas E coli was the predominant cause of mastitis in early and late lactation. Of cases of mastitis, 27% were seen 10 days before and after parturition. Local and systemic clinical signs of infection were similar for all causes, except that C pyogenes caused more (P less than 0.01) malodorous and purulent milk than did other organisms and was isolated more commonly from quarters with injured teats. Recovery was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in cows with E coli infections, compared with recovery in cows with gram-positive organism infections. Cows with C pyogenes infections frequently had quarters that ultimately ceased lactation. A few cows were recumbent at initiation of antimicrobial therapy and a few were not eating 24 hours later; however, 50% of these cows recovered. Criteria such as season of year, stage of lactation, appearance of milk and udder, and appetite permitted the cause (gram-negative or gram-positive organisms) of the mastitis to be predicted with 77% accuracy.     

Teat canal closure in non-lactating heifers and its association with udder health in the consecutive lactation

Prevention of heifer mastitis is a key element in preventing mastitis. Since pathogenesis of heifer mastitis is not fully understood yet, combating it is arduous. The goal of this study was to examine whether the premature loss of the keratin plug of the teat canal represents an important risk factor for the development of heifer mastitis. 84 dairy heifers (German Holstein) from six high-yielding dairy herds in Northern Germany were examined between March 2005 and June 2006. Each quarter was examined clinically at least three times before calving. If the teat canal of a quarter was open, secretion samples were collected for bacteriological analysis. After calving, four quarter samples were collected during the first lactation. A rapid increase of the proportion of open teat canals was detected in the preparturition period. No teat canals were open till 80 days before parturition, while 60% of the teat canals were open at 60 days before parturition. A time-scheduled infection pattern was observed: during the days 90-61, 60-31, and 30-0 before calving, skin inhabitants (coagulase-negative staphylococci, coryneform bacteria), cow-related, and environment-related microorganisms prevailed, respectively. A total of 77% of intramammary infections encountered at parturition had established previously. No significant association between the duration of open teat canals before calving and the udder health post partum was found. However, the incidence of clinical mastitis during first lactation was influenced largely by the duration of infection ante partum and the mastitis pathogen involved. This study shows that a high proportion of teat canals already opens several months before calving and that opening of the teat canal before calving is an important factor in the aetiology of heifer mastitis.     

Relationships between infection with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus, intramammary bacterial infection and somatic cell counts in dairy goats.

Somatic cell counts, the bacteriological condition of the milk and antibodies against caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were measured monthly throughout lactation in 121 lactating goats of the Murcia-Granada breed in four commercial dairy goat herds. The prevalence of bacterial intramammary infection was 5.6 per cent and the prevalence of CAEV infection was 20.6 per cent. An analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of herd, intramammary infection and the interaction between intramammary infection and CAEV on the somatic cell count. In udder halves free of intramammary infection, the somatic cell counts were significantly lower in seronegative goats than in seropositive goats (P<0.05), but the difference was not significant in udder halves persistently infected by bacteria. There was a significant increase in somatic cell counts due to bacterial intramammary infection (P<0.01) in the seronegative goats, but this effect was not present in the seropositive animals.     

Patterns of nonclinical intramammary infection in a ewe flock

Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequent bacterial isolates from nonclinical intramammary infections (NIMI) in a ewe flock. The prevalence of NIMI was 22.9% of the udder halves at lambing and decreased to 12.5% or less between week 2 and week 6 of lactation. The decrease was due mainly to the elimination of infections involving coagulase-negative staphylococci. The frequency of new NIMI in the first 6 weeks of lactation was less than 1% of the noninfected udder halves per week. The prevalence of NIMI increased steadily from 16.1% of the udder halves at the time of weaning the lambs to 29% at postweaning week 3. The new infection rate averaged 9.7% per week during the postweaning 3 weeks. The principal bacterial isolate in the new NIMI was coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Nonclinical intramammary infection in a ewe flock was monitored by bacteriologic cultural examinations of milk samples obtained from both udder halves of 24 ewes during early lactation and of 31 ewes in the same flock during the early postweaning period. The patterns of NIMI were similar to the patterns reported in cattle.     

Vaccination against staphylococcal mastitis

Extract

Sir:- Immunisation with staphylococcal vaccines is a potential means of increasing the resistance to bacterial invasion of the udder. However, the development of an effective vaccine for control of staphylococcal mastitis in ruminants has proved to be an elusive goal. There have been numerous attempts to develop vaccines against coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus mastitis, but very few attempts to develop vaccines using coagulase-negative staphylococci. Development of a vaccine against coagulase-negative staphylococci may help control the sub-clinical mastitis caused by these organisms and assist in the search for an effective vaccine against mastitis caused by the more pathogenic coagulase-positive S. aureus.We describe here an experiment in which ewes were immunised with live coagulase-negative staphylococcal vaccine and challenged during lactation by intramammary infusion of a homologous strain.     

Impact of intramammary infections in dairy heifers on future udder health, milk production, and culling

Dairy heifers represent the future of a dairy herd, and are expected to freshen with a healthy and well-developed udder, capable of producing an optimal amount of high quality milk. A high proportion of heifers have infected mammary quarters at calving, with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) being the most common cause. Staphylococcus aureus and environmental pathogens are also found. The aim of this paper is to summarize how intramammary infections during (late) gestation and early lactation impair the development of the mammary gland and negatively affect future udder health and milk production. Heifers calving with either subclinical or clinical mastitis are also at a higher risk to be culled in first lactation. The magnitude of the effect is most likely related to the virulence of the causative pathogen, the persistence of the infection when milk production has started, and the time of onset of infection. Histological changes in udder tissue from quarters infected with S. aureus are more pronounced than those in udder tissue from CNS-infected quarters. The longer the infections exist and the longer they persist into lactation, the larger the impact on heifers' future udder health and milk production will be. In general, CNS infections are cleared early in lactation and some studies show that CNS do not have a large impact on future milk production and udder health. Future research should elucidate to what extent pathogen-specific as well as host-related factors affect the persistence of IMI in early lactating heifers.     

Udder infection of goats by coagulase-negative staphylococci

Infection of udder halves by coagulase-negative staphylococci in seven commercial goat herds was studied in conjunction with the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Nine different species were identified and only 10% of strains belonged to groups which could not be identified with any of the known Staphylococcus species. The most prevalent species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (47.7%) and Staphylococcus caprae (19.7%). About half od the coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections gave negative CMT scores. The score was independent of the species of staphylococci involved and the stage of lactation. About 60% of the coagulase-negative staphylococcal species isolated were reisolated in the identical half udder during the following lactation.     

Q fever in pregnant goats: humoral and cellular immune responses

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by the intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Both humoral and cellular immunity are important in the host defence against intracellular bacteria. Little is known about the immune response to C. burnetii infections in domestic ruminants even though these species are the major source of Q fever in humans. To investigate the goat’s immune response we inoculated groups of pregnant goats via inhalation with a Dutch outbreak isolate of C. burnetii. All animals were successfully infected. Phase 1 and Phase 2 IgM- and IgG-specific antibodies were measured. Cellular immune responses were investigated by interferon-gamma, enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot test (IFN-γ Elispot), lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT) and systemic cytokines. After two weeks post inoculation (wpi), a strong anti-C. burnetii Phase 2 IgM and IgG antibody response was observed while the increase in IgM anti-Phase 1 antibodies was less pronounced. IgG anti-Phase 1 antibodies started to rise at 6 wpi. Cellular immune responses were observed after parturition. Our results demonstrated humoral and cellular immune responses to C. burnetii infection in pregnant goats. Cell-mediated immune responses did not differ enough to distinguish between Coxiella-infected and non-infected pregnant animals, whereas a strong-phase specific antibody response is detected after 2 wpi. This humoral immune response may be useful in the early detection of C. burnetii-infected pregnant goats.     

Direct and indirect measurement of somatic cell count as indicator of intramammary infection in dairy goats

Background

Mastitis is the most important and costly disease in dairy goat production. Subclinical mastitis is common in goats and is mainly caused by contagious bacteria. Several methods to diagnose subclinical mastitis are available. In this study indirect measurement of somatic cell count (SCC) by California Mastitis Test (CMT) and direct measurement of SCC using a portable deLaval cell counter (DCC) are evaluated. Swedish goat farmers would primarily benefit from diagnostic methods that can be used at the farm. The purpose of the study was to evaluate SCC measured by CMT and DCC as possible markers for intramammary infection (IMI) in goats without clinical symptoms of mastitis. Moreover to see how well indirect measurement of SCC (CMT) corresponded to direct measurement of SCC (DCC).

Method

Udder half milk samples were collected once from dairy goats (n = 111), in five different farms in Northern and Central Sweden. Only clinically healthy animals were included in the study. All goats were in mid to late lactation at sampling. Milk samples were analyzed for SCC by CMT and DCC at the farm, and for bacterial growth at the laboratory.

Results

Intramammary infection, defined as growth of udder pathogens, was found in 39 (18%) of the milk samples. No growth was found in 180 (81%) samples while 3 (1%) samples were contaminated. The most frequently isolated bacterial species was coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) (72% of all isolates), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (23% of all isolates). Somatic cell count measured by DCC was strongly (p = 0.000) associated with bacterial growth. There was also a very strong association between CMT and bacterial growth. CMT 1 was associated with freedom of IMI while CMT ≥2 was associated with IMI. Indirect measurement of SCC by CMT was well correlated with SCC measured by DCC.

Conclusions

According to the results, SCC measured with CMT or DCC can predict udder infection in goats, and CMT can be used as a predictor of the SCC.     

Pregnancy increases plasma leptin in nulliparous but not primiparous goats while lactation depresses it

Most dairy ruminants are still lactating during early pregnancy, which could induce hormonal adaptations different from those observed during pregnancy alone. The incidence of concomitant lactation and pregnancy on plasma leptin has not been studied, and physiological factors involved in its regulation have not been addressed in goats. We assayed leptinemia throughout the pregnancy-lactation cycle in nulliparous and primiparous goats, starting 165 days prior to parturition and finishing 59 days after. During the first half of pregnancy, primiparous goats were lactating. Lactating non-pregnant primiparous goats were studied in parallel. Plasma leptin increased (+49%) up to mid-pregnancy in nulliparous, but not in primiparous goats. Furthermore, leptinemia was similar between pregnant and non-pregnant lactating primiparous goats, suggesting a strong leptinemia down-regulation by late lactation. Plasma leptin decreased from mid-pregnancy to parturition, more markedly in nulliparous goats, and remained depressed during early lactation at a similar level in both female types. It was lower, at 130 days of pregnancy, in goats carrying two fetuses. The leptinemia down-regulation by late pregnancy was highlighted by the lack of plasma leptin increase after drying-off late-pregnant primiparous goats, while it strongly increased in non-pregnant goats. The observation of leptinemia increase only in nulliparous goats suggests that it is not an essential endocrine adaptation during early pregnancy. By contrast, in both female types, the low leptinemia during transition from late pregnancy to lactation, and during late lactation, may be important for the adaptations that occur during lactation such as the partitioning of energy and nutrients towards essential functions and/or hyperphagia.     

Effect of teat dipping with a germicide barrier teat dip in late gestation on intramammary infection and clinical mastitis during the first 5 days post-partum in primiparous cows

The effect of teat dipping with a barrier teat dip prior to parturition on intramammary infection (IMI) and clinical mastitis during the first 5 days post-partum was investigated in a split udder trial in 149 Holstein-Frisian heifers. Their left front and right hind quarters were dipped three times weekly (i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) with a barrier teat dip containing 0.1% polyvidon iodine from day 260 of gestation until parturition. The opposite quarters (right front and left hind quarter) served as untreated control. Bacteria were isolated from 52.2% of quarter milk samples collected immediately after parturition prior to first machine milking. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were predominantly found in the samples (29.2 and 35.6% of the positive samples, respectively). At parturition 6.7% of the heifers showed signs of clinical mastitis and another 27.5% developed signs of clinical mastitis during the first five days of lactation. No significant differences were found between treated and control quarters regarding IMI and incidence of clinical mastitis. Teat dipping prior to parturition in primigravid dairy heifers did not improve udder health in this trial.     

Sunflower-seed oil,rapidly-degradable starch,and adiposity up-regulate leptin gene expression in lactating goats

We conducted experiments to evaluate the effects of lipid supplementation and the nature of starchy concentrate on the regulation of leptin synthesis in lactating goats. Multiparous goats in mid- to late lactation received diets based on different forages and containing plant oil or seeds rich in either 18:1c9, 18:2n-6 or 18:3n-3 corresponding to 3%–7% dry matter (DM) as lipid supplements, or diets based on concentrate as either rapidly or slowly degradable starch. The isoenergetic replacement of a part of the concentrate by either oleic sunflower-seed oil, formaldehyde-treated linseeds, or linseed oil did not modify leptinemia and the leptin mRNA concentration in adipose tissues, suggesting a lack of effect of 18:1c9, 18:3n-3, or their biohydrogenation products. Conversely, leptinemia and the leptin mRNA abundance were increased (by 20% and 140%, respectively, P < 0.05) in goats fed sunflower-seed oil under a grassland hay-based diet but not a maize silage-based diet, at similar energy intakes and adiposity. Thus, 18:2n-6 per se may up-regulate leptin gene expression, but the effect could be blunted by other fatty acids formed during the ruminal digestion of sunflower-seed oil when combined with maize silage. Consumption of rapidly but not slowly degradable starch increased (by 17%, P < 0.05) leptinemia. Moreover, during lactation, plasma leptin was positively correlated (P < 0.05) to adiposity parameters and negatively correlated to fiber intake. The results suggest that leptinemia responds poorly to nutritional factors in lactating goats, thus highlighting the physiological need to sustain hypoleptinemia during lactation.     

Exposure to a dog elicits different cardiovascular and behavioral effects in pregnant and lactating goats

Background

Heart rate and plasma cortisol concentration are often used in evaluation of physiological reactions to stress and fear, but arterial blood pressure is rarely measured in farm animals. Goats are prey animals and can be expected to react strongly to a predator, especially when they have kids. We hypothesized that exposure to a dog elicits a flight response during pregnancy and a fight response when goats have kids to defend. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate should increase in both these cases, due to a synchronized discharge of the sympathetic nervous system.

Methods

Seven goats were exposed to a dog for 15 minutes at 12 ± 3 days before, and again at 10 ± 1 days after, parturition. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and activity were registered by telemetry. Behavioral data were collected during 5 minute sessions, followed by blood samples obtained via intrajugular catheters. Plasma cortisol concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay.

Results

At the appearance of the dog, the mean arterial blood pressure of the goats increased from 90 ± 8 to 111 ± 8 mmHg (p < 0.001) during pregnancy and from 96 ± 8 to 108 ± 8 mmHg during lactation (p < 0.001). Heart rate did not change at dog exposure during lactation, but increased from 117 ± 6 to 126 ± 10 beats/min (p < 0.01) during pregnancy. Dog exposure resulted in plasma cortisol concentration increasing from 17 ± 1 to 43 ± 7 nmol/l (p < 0.01) during pregnancy and from 21 ± 1 to 49 ± 6 nmol/l (p < 0.01) during lactation. In response to the dog, goats vocalized at a higher frequency and started to ruminate later during lactation compared to pregnancy.

Conclusions

When goats were exposed to a dog during pregnancy, their heart rate, blood pressure, and plasma cortisol increased, in contrast to lactation when only their blood pressure and plasma cortisol increased. However, when they were lactating, goats vocalized more and started to ruminate later compared to when they were pregnant.     

Epidemiology of Streptococcus uberis Intramammary Infections in a Dairy Herd

From 1987 to 1991, almost 36 000 quarter samples of mammary secretion representing 1790 lactations of 510 dairy cows from a research herd were collected for bacteriological examination. The percentage of cows infected with Streptococcus uberis ranged from 12 to 16 % of cows/year. S. uberis was isolated from 14.2 % of lactations over the 5-year period. The prevalence of S. uberis intramammary infection (IMI) was significantly higher in cows with ≥4 lactations than in cows with 3 or fewer lactations. Regardless of lactation number, the prevalence of S. uberis was highest before parturition, during early lactation and near drying off. The prevalence of S. uberis infected quarters ranged from 1.3 to 2.3 % of quarters/year; the prevalence rate for the 5-year period was 2 % of quarters. The quarter prevalence of S. uberis was lowest in cows with ≤3 lactations, increased significantly with lactation number and was highest in cows with ≥6 lactations. The percentage of quarters infected with S. uberis varied significantly by year. The majority (95 %) of S. uberis IMI were subclinical. The ratio of subclinical IMI to clinical IMI was lowest during early lactation, and increased with days in milk, and with lactation age except for cows in their 5th and 6th lactations. Results of this epidemiological investigation suggest that opportunities exist where suitable control measures could be applied to reduce the impact of S. uberis infections in the dairy herd.     

Effects of induced parturition in goats on immunoglobulin G and chitotriosidase activity in colostrum and plasma and on plasma concentrations of prolactin

The effect of induction of parturition with a PGF(2)α analog on plasma concentration of prolactin (PRL) and its effects on colostrum concentration of IgG and chitotriosidase (ChT) activity were studied in 16 pregnant Majorera goats. Treated goats, those in which parturition was induced, had greater concentrations of PRL than control goats 24 h before parturition (P < 0.05) and 48 h after parturition (P < 0.05). Control goats had greater concentrations of PRL than treated goats 96 h after parturition (P < 0.05). Plasma concentration of IgG did not differ between groups during the experimental period, but colostrum concentrations of IgG were greater in control goats than in treated goats at parturition (P < 0.05). Plasma ChT activity decreased during the period 72 h before parturition to 24 h after parturition in control and treated goats. Time evolution after partum affected the colostrum ChT activity, being greater at parturition than after parturition in both groups (P < 0.05). In summary, concentration of IgG in colostrum is slightly diminished if parturition is induced. Induction of parturition causes an early increase in PRL, which is most likely responsible for preterm suppression of IgG transport into mammary secretions.     

Mastitis of dairy small ruminants

Staphylococci are the main aetiological agents of small ruminants intramammary infections (IMI), the more frequent isolates being S. aureus in clinical cases and coagulase negative species in subclinical IMI. The clinical IMI, whose annual incidence is usually lower than 5%, mainly occur at the beginning of machine milking and during the first third of lactation. These features constitute small ruminant peculiarities compared to dairy cattle. Small ruminant mastitis is generally a chronic and contagious infection: the primary sources are mammary and cutaneous carriages, and spreading mainly occurs during milking. Somatic cell counts (SCC) represent a valuable tool for prevalence assessment and screening, but predictive values are better in ewes than in goats. Prevention is most often based on milking machine management, sanitation and annual control, and milking technique optimisation. Elimination mainly relies on culling animals exhibiting clinical, chronic and recurrent IMI, and on drying-off intramammary antibiotherapy; this treatment allows a good efficacy and may be used selectively by targeting infected udders only. Heritability values for lactation mean SCC scores are between 0.11 and 0.15. Effective inclusion of ewe's mastitis resistance in the breeding goal has recently been implemented in France following experimental and large scale estimations of genetic parameters for SCC scores.     

Bone metabolism of milk goats and sheep during second pregnancy and lactation in comparison to first lactation

Substantial losses of skeletal tissue occur during late pregnancy and lactation. The goal of the present study was to follow these changes in pregnant and lactating goats and sheep, compare these two species during their second lactation, and also compare the results to the first lactation. Blood samples were collected from 12 adult dairy goats (Saanen goat) and sheep (Ostfriesen milk sheep) monthly during gestation, 2 or 3 days postpartum (pp), 2 weeks pp, 4 weeks pp, and then monthly during lactation until 7 months after parturition. Total bone mineral content (BMC) and total bone mineral density (BMD) were quantified using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the same intervals as the blood was taken. Bone resorption was assessed in serum using two different domains of the carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP and crosslaps). Bone formation was quantified in serum with osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bAP). In addition, Ca and 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D (VITD) were determined in serum. The same procedure was done during the first and second gestation and lactation. Mean ICTP and crosslaps concentrations of the two animal species showed an increase in the last month of gestation. In contrast, mean OC concentrations decreased slowly from the 2nd month of pregnancy until the first week pp. Also mean bAP activities showed a similar time course. Total BMC and BMD decreased until the first week pp in both species. Afterwards, BMC increased again during lactation. BMD levels of sheep and goats returned to prepartum levels during lactation. Vitamin D concentrations peaked in the first week pp. Only VITD concentrations in goats stayed elevated compared with prepartum values throughout the whole lactation during the second lactation. Around parturition and at the beginning of lactation, the bone resorptive phase of bone remodelling is accelerated, but is uncoupled from the process of bone formation. The mineral decrease in bone of these lactating animals seems to be reversible. Since during lactation, bone remodelling has bone resorption and formation phases tightly coupled. Interestingly, in these species, the bone loss in the second pregnancy and lactation measured with BMC and BMD is not as prominent as in the first lactation, but shows almost the same course, although the animals gave more milk in the second lactation. It seems that the organism adapts to the circumstances more easily in the second lactation compared to the first lactation in these two species.