Expression of cytokines and respiratory burst activity of milk cells in response to Azadirachta indica during bovine mastitis

The immuno therapeutic potential of hydro-methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (A. indica) was studied during bovine clinical mastitis (CM). The somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), milk differential leukocyte count (DLC), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide anion (O₂ ⁻) production and interleukin- 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) cytokines expression were studied before and after intramammary infusion of A. indica extract in diseased cows. The results revealed that A. indica treatment significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the SCC, TBC, milk neutrophil percent and significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced milk lymphocyte percent, H₂O₂ and O₂ ⁻ production by milk cells. The IL-2 and IFN-γ were expressed in normal healthy cows and diseased cows after A. indica treatment, whereas both the cytokines could not be expressed in cows treated with antibiotic and in untreated diseased cows. The results of the present study indicated anti inflammatory, antibacterial and immunomodulatory potential of the herb, these activities could be due to the presence of bioactive principle in the extract. This is a preliminary trial indicated beneficial effect of the herb against bovine mastitis it can be developed as an alternative therapy where the use of antibiotics is normally restricted.     

Evaluation of mammary gland immunity and therapeutic potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tinospora cordifolia</Emphasis> against bovine subclinical mastitis

Enhancement of the diseased mammary gland immunity and therapeutic potential of hydro-methanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia; stem) in bovine subclinical mastitis was investigated. Somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), phagocytic activity, and leukocyte lysosomal enzymes like myeloperoxidase and acid phosphatase activity and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) level were evaluated after intramammary infusion of hydro-methanolic extract (stem) of T.cordifolia in diseased cows. The qualitative analysis of the extract revealed the presence of polysaccharide, phenol, alkaloid, and protein. Intramammary infusion of hydro-methanolic extract of T. cordifolia treatment initially enhanced the SCC; thereafter, significant reduction in cell count (P < 0.05) was observed on day 15 of the treatment period, however, reduction in TBC was observed from day 3 onwards. The phagocytic activity of milk polymorphonuclear cells enhanced in the diseased cows treated with the T. cordifolia extract. Similarly, the lysosomal enzyme content of the milk polymorphonuclear cells enhanced significantly (P < 0.05) in diseased cows treated with T. cordifolia. The IL-8 level in milk serum also increased significantly (P < 0.05) in diseased cows treated with the herb extract. The results suggest that the hydro-methanolic extract of T.cordifolia (stem) possesses antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. In the present study, the biological activity of the Tinospora cordifolia extract at standardized dose against bovine subclinical mastitis is reported for the first time. Development of alternative therapy with medicinal plants is an option for livestock farmers who are not allowed to use the conventional allopathic drugs under certain farming system or cannot afford to use allopathic drugs.     

Subclinical mastitis causes alterations in nitric oxide, total oxidant and antioxidant capacity in cow milk

The aim of this study was to investigate total antioxidant (TAC), and oxidant capacity (TOC) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in milk of cows with subclinical mastitis. Brown Swiss and Holstein breed cows were screened with California Mastitis Test (CMT) to determine mammary glands with subclinical mastitis. Moreover, somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined electronically in all milk samples. Mammary quarters were classified as healthy (n = 25) or subclinical mastitis (n = 35) based on CMT scores and somatic cell count (SCC: ?200,000/ml or >200,000/ml) in milk. Nitric oxide, TOC and SCC levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001, p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively) in milk from mammary quarters with subclinical mastitis compared to those from healthy mammary quarters. In conclusion, subclinical mastitis results in higher NO concentrations, TOC and SCC, and NO and TOC were positively correlated with SCC. Moreover, alterations in NO levels and TOC in milk could be used as an alternative diagnostic tool to screen for subclinical mastitis.     

Evaluation of a 3% surf solution (surf field mastitis test) for the diagnosis of subclinical bovine and bubaline mastitis

Purpose  

To evaluate a 3% solution of household detergent viz., Surf Excel (Surf field mastitis test, SFMT) vis-à-vis California mastitis test (CMT), Whiteside test (WST), somatic cell counts (SCC; cut off limit = 5 × 10⁵ cells per millilitre) and bacteriological cultures for the detection of subclinical mastitis in quarter foremilk samples (n = 800) of dairy cows and buffaloes.     

The effect of estrus synchronization treatments on somatic cell count of transitional-anestrus Awassi ewes’ milk

Fifty-three transitional-anestrus Awassi ewes, randomly assigned to three groups: fluorogestone acetate (FGA, n = 18), FGA-Prostaglandin (FGA-PGF, n = 18) and control (n = 17), were used to examine the effect of estrus synchronization protocols and steroid hormones concentrations on milk somatic cell count (SCC). Intravaginal FGA sponge was inserted for 13 days and 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin was administered for ewes of FGA and FGA-PGF groups at the time of sponge removal (day 0). In addition, 10 mg was administered to ewes of FGA-PGF group on day 0. Blood and milk samples were collected from all ewes on days -13, -6, 0, 1, 2, 7 and 14. Estradiol had significant positive correlation with the SCC during the periods of sponge insertion (P = 0.015, r = 0.235) and within two days (P = 0.063 r = 0.23) after sponge removal with no correlation with SCC of both udder halves during the luteal phase. Progesterone concentrations, on the other hand, had a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001; r = 0.420) with the SCC of both udder halves during the luteal phase of the experiment, but not during the periods of sponge insertion and expected estrus. SCC returned under the influence of endogenous progesterone on days 7 and 14 to pre-synchronization values. In conclusion, sheep milk SCC is affected significantly with induction of estrus and steroid hormones concentrations. However, peak SCC recorded during estrus was far below the upper limit of the current standard for normal milk. With the current standards for SCC of 1,000,000/ml as legal limit for abnormal milk control programs in sheep, estrus synchronization programs and the estrus status should not be considered when bulk-tank milk SCC is being investigated, but should be considered during the process of setting new standards.     

Occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in lactating goats under pastoral management in Borana,Southern Ethiopia

Mastitis prevalence and related risk factors were studied in 1,072 udder halves of 536 lactating goats from October, 2008 to February, 2009. Clinical and subclinical mastitis were prevalent in 4.3% (95% CI = 2.8, 6.5) and 11.2% (95% CI = 8.7, 14.3) of the studied animals, respectively, resulting in an overall prevalence of 15.5% (95% CI = 12.6, 18.9). Univariate analysis of the potential risk factors has depicted that mastitis was more prevalent in does with previous mastitis history, increased parity, poor body conditions, increased milk production, late lactation stage, long teat, and housed goats. Furthermore, prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the wet period of October to November than the dry periods of January to February. No significant variations (p > 0.05) were observed in mastitis prevalence with udder tick infestation, mixing goat with sheep and flock size. With multivariable analysis, lactation stage, teat length, body condition, and season (wet months) have showed significant association with mastitis prevalence, and these factors maintained significant in the stepwise elimination of multivariable logistic regression model. As a result, does in late stage of lactation (OR = 4.3, 1.8, 10.4), poor body condition (OR = 5.0, 1.7, 10.0), long teats (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1, 4.2) and does examined in wet period were at higher risk of udder infections than early lactation, good body condition, short teat, and examined in dry period, respectively. The study showed occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in studied goats, which suggests the need for control intervention. Further investigations into pathogens involved in goat mastitis will optimize our knowledge of causative agents and control interventions.     

Cow-specific risk factors for retained placenta,metritis and clinical mastitis in Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between cow-specific risk factors and the lactational incidence risks of retained placenta (RP), metritis (MET) and clinical mastitis (CM) in 57,301 dairy cows on 20 large dairy herds in Iran between January 2005 and June 2009. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for MET, RP and CM and quantify their odds ratio (OR). The lactational incidences of MET, RP and CM were 8%, 5.2% and 18.9%, respectively, and significant risk factors for MET were dystocia (OR = 4.32), stillbirth (OR = 6.26), RP (OR = 27.74), twin births (OR = 6.57), primiparity (OR = 1.68), calving during winter season (OR = 2.45) and male calves (OR = 2.41). Significant risk factors for RP were dystocia (OR = 3.17), stillbirth (OR = 3.18), abortion (OR = 8.46), milk fever (OR = 3.66), twin births (OR = 2.76), pluriparity (OR = 2.69), calving during winter season (OR = 1.86) and shorter gestation length of dairy cows (OR = 3.82). Also, significant risk factors for CM were RP (OR = 9.45), milk fever (OR = 12.36), pluriparity (OR = 2.83), calving during winter season (OR = 1.68) and the first months of lactation (P < 0.001)) and SCC concentrations at previous lactation (OR = 1.82). The current study indicates that differentiation can be made among cows in the risk of having MET, RP and CM based on a combination of cow factors. These differences among cows could be useful to aid the better detection of these diseases in the dairy herds.     

Prevalence and Aetiology of Mastitis in Cows from Two Major Ethiopian Dairies

The study was undertaken to determine the aetiology and prevalence of mastitis in hand-milked cows (n = 186) in two major Ethiopian dairies. The California Mastitis Test and culturing for bacteria revealed that 21.5% of the cows were clinically infected and 38.2% had subclinical mastitis. Most mastitis pathogens isolated from milk samples testing positive by the California Mastitis Test were Gram-positive cocci. Staphylococci constituted 57% of the isolates, of which the predominant cause of bovine mastitis was Staphylococcus aureus (40.5%). Other mastitis pathogens isolated include streptococci (16.5%), coliforms (9%) and corynebacteria (5%). Retrospective analysis of farm records indicated that mastitis was the second most important cause of culling and accounted for 27% of the cows removed from these two dairies.     

Dynamics of lingual antimicrobial peptide,lactoferrin concentrations and lactoperoxidase activity in the milk of cows treated for clinical mastitis

The aim of the present study was to examine changes in innate immune factors in the milk of mastitic dairy cows treated with antibiotics. Cows in the antibiotics group (n = 13) were infused into the mammary gland with cefazolin on the sixth day after mastitis was diagnosed (the day of the mastitis diagnosis = day ?6). The control group (n = 12) was not treated. Milk samples were collected once every 2 days from days ?6 to 12 and somatic cell count (SCC), lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), and lactoferrin (LF) concentrations and lactoperoxidase (LPO) activity were measured. SCC and LF concentrations in the antibiotics group markedly decreased after the antibiotic treatment. When cows in the antibiotics group were divided according to SCC on day 0, LAP concentrations and LPO activity in cows with a lower SCC on day 0 (<5 × 10⁶ cell/mL) were significantly higher and lower than those in cows with a higher SCC, respectively. These results suggest that LF concentration decreased with decrease in SCC after treatment and that LAP concentration and LPO activity differed depending on the severity of mastitis. This is the first report to reveal the dynamics of innate immune factor in milk of cows treated for clinical mastitis.     

Efficacy of conventional and extended intra-mammary treatment of persistent sub-clinical mastitis with cefquinome in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy of intra-mammary-administered cefquinome for the treatment of sub-clinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows and to determine if extended therapy would enhance treatment efficacy. Seventy-three Holstein dairy cows from a single farm with 150 infected quarters were enrolled in the study. Infected cows were allocated randomly to one of three treatment regimens: (1) conventional (standard) regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered three times at 16-h intervals (25 infected cows, 52 intra-mammary infections (IMI)), (2) extended regimen: 75 mg of cefquinome administered six times at 16-h intervals (26 infected cows, 58 IMI) and (3) negative untreated control group (22 cows, 40 IMI). Most IMI were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci other than Streptococcus agalactiae and coliforms. The overall bacteriological cure (BC) rates for sub-clinical IMI were 84.61%, 91.37% and 20% for the conventional, extended and the control groups, respectively, indicating a higher BC rate for the treated groups than the control group (P < 0.001). Significant differences in somatic cell count (SCC) were detected between the treated versus the control group (P < 0.001). No differences, concerning the BC rate or SCC, were observed between the extended and the conventional groups. Although fat and protein percentages increased in the treated groups, there were no significant differences in post-treatment milk production between the groups. Results of this study indicate that cefquinome therapy was effective in reducing SCC and eliminating sub-clinical IMI in lactating dairy cows, but extended therapy did not enhance treatment efficacy.     

Reliability in somatic cell count measurement of clinical mastitis milk using DeLaval cell counter

Somatic cell counts (SCC) measurements are typically performed using quantitative methods, such as the Breed method (Breed) and the Fossomatic method (FSCC). The DeLaval cell counter (DCC) developed recently is a quantitative somatic cell counter with a low initial cost and superior portability. However, since the DCC was specifically developed for measuring SCC of ≤ 4 × 10⁶ cells/mL milk from bulk tanks or individual cows, its reliability for estimating SCC that exceed this concentration has not yet been clarified. This study therefore examined whether it is possible to accurately measure SCC by diluting milk samples with initial SCC of 4 × 10⁶ cells/mL, as seen in clinical mastitis milk. We collected milk samples from 99 quarters of 99 Holstein cows with clinical mastitis. These milk samples were diluted 10‐fold with saline and thoroughly mixed before performing SCC measurement with the DCC. The correlation coefficients of SCC measured by the FSCC, Breed and DCC methods indicated strong correlations between each pair of methods. The findings showed that DCC can be used to identify bovine clinical mastitis milk and is useful as a quantitative SCC measurement device on farm sites.     

Alterations in coagulation parameters in dairy cows affected with acute mastitis caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. aureus</Emphasis> pathogens

This study was conducted to evaluate alterations in coagulation parameters in dairy cows affected with acute Escherichia coli (E. coli) mastitis and to compare those values to cows affected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ) mastitis. Twenty-four, adult Holstein-Friesian dairy cows affected with acute E. coli mastitis and 17 cows affected with S. aureus mastitis were studied. Cows affected with E. coli mastitis had significantly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P < 0.01), prothrombin time (PT) (P < 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.05) platelets numbers. Cows with S. aureus mastitis had only significantly prolonged APTT (P < 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.05) platelet counts. In the hematology evaluation, cows affected with E. coli and those affected with S. aureus mastitis had elevated hematocrit values but only significantly (P < 0.05) so in mastitic cows caused by E. coli. Both groups of mastitic cows had significantly (P < 0.05) lower leukocyte counts. Only cows with E. coli mastitis had significantly (P < 0.05) lower neutrophil count. In the plasma biochemical evaluation, creatinine concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in both groups of cows. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was only significantly elevated in cows affected with E. coli mastitis. Results of this study indicated that dairy cows affected with acute E. coli mastitis are more likely to develop clinical manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation than cows affected with S. aureus mastitis.     

High milk neutrophil chemiluminescence limits the severity of bovine coliform mastitis

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function changes during mastitis. To investigate the contribution of milk PMN to the severity of Escherichia coli (E. coli) mastitis, chemiluminescence (CL) of blood and milk PMN and their efficiency to destroy coliform bacteria in the mammary gland were examined following the induction of E. coli mastitis in early lactating cows. To better assess and define the degree of mastitis severity, cows were classified as moderate and severe responders according to milk production loss in the non-infected quarters at post-infection hour (PIH) 48. There was an inverse relationship between pre-infection milk PMN CL and colony-forming units at PIH 6. In moderate cows, the pre-infection blood and milk PMN CL was approximately 2-fold higher than that of severe cows. The probability of severe response increased with decreasing pre-infection PMN CL. At the beginning of the infection blood and milk PMN CL was consistently higher, and milk PMN CL increased faster after infection in moderate cows. At PIH > 48 milk PMN CL in severe cows exceeded that of moderate cows. The somatic cell count (SCC) in moderate cows increased faster than colony-forming units, whereas in severe cows the results were reversed. The kinetics of CL activity for blood and milk PMN before and during the early phase of infection confirmed an impairment in PMN CL activity for severe responding cows. High pre-infection blood and milk PMN CL and the immediate increase of milk PMN CL and SCC after infection limited bacterial growth thereby facilitating the recovery of E. coli mastitis in moderate cows. Our study strengthens the idea that pre-existing milk PMN (a static part of the udder's immune defense) functions as a "cellular antibiotic" before and during infection, and low milk PMN CL is a risk factor for bovine coliform mastitis.     

Intramammary antibiotics with complementary acupuncture decreases milk serum N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase concentrations in dairy cattle with subclinical mastitis

The objective of this research is to determine whether intramammary antibiotics with complementary acupuncture can reduce bovine mammary inflammation due to subclinical mastitis. Lactating cows were selected based on milk with a somatic cell count (SCC) greater than 500,000 cells/ml. Pre- and post-treatment milk samples were collected to determine SCC, aerobic bacterial content, milk ion conductivity, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) concentrations. Milk serum was prepared from milk samples by double centrifugation. Concentrations of LDH and NAGase were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cows being treated with intramammary antibiotics were separated by random assignment to the acupuncture group (n = 10) and a no-acupuncture (control) group (n = 9). Both the acupuncture and control group were restrained for 30 min in a head catch 12 hr apart for a total of four times. For front quarters affected by subclinical mastitis, the acupuncture points used were spleen (SP) 12, SP 17, SP 18, SP 21, stomach (ST) 18 and conception vessel (CV) 12. For rear quarters affected by subclinical mastitis, the acupuncture points used were bladder (BL) 30, BL 30-1, BL 49, kidney (KI) 10, conception vessel (CV) 2 and CV 3. All parameters were compared using a Student t test. Significance was defined as p < .05. Compared to control cows, complementary acupuncture treatment reduced NAGase enzymatic activity in quarters of cows with subclinical mastitis. The reduction in NAGase suggests that complementary acupuncture treatment may be associated with healing of the damaged mammary epithelial cells, which are the primary source of NAGase activity in milk serum.     

Bovine mastitis and antibiotic resistance patterns in Selalle smallholder dairy farms, central Ethiopia

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of mastitis, identify the major bacterial pathogens and test the antimicrobial resistance of milk bacterial isolates in smallholder dairy farms in Selalle area, Ethiopia. A total of 109 smallholder dairy farms comprising 500 crossbred lactating cows were included. The prevalence of clinical mastitis at herd, cow and quarter level was 8.3% (n = 9), 1.8% (n = 9) and 0.51% (n = 10), respectively, while that of sub-clinical mastitis was 54.7%, 22.3% and 10.1%, respectively. The univariate logistic regression showed that among the risk factors considered, presence of teat lesion, stage of lactation and parity number had significant effect on the prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis. However, after multivariate analysis, only presence of teat lesion and stage of lactation had significant effect. The common isolates from the clinical mastitic quarters were St. agalactiae (30%, n = 3) and St. dysgalactiae (30%, n = 3), while from sub-clinical cases were S. aureus (42.6%, n = 83), S. epidermidis (22.1%, n = 43), St. agalactiae (12.8%, n = 25) and St. uberis (10.3%, n = 20). Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were the species, which showed high level of susceptibility for most of the antimicrobials tested, while the remaining had varying levels of resistance for almost all the antimicrobials used. Among the antimicrobials employed, erythromycin and sulphonamide showed the lowest proportion of resistant isolates. Considering the possible significant economic losses that could be incurred by both clinical and sub-clinical mastitis, attention should be paid for further detailed investigations including the economic losses and benefits of interventions in the study area.     

Effects of first postpartum progesterone rise,metabolites, milk yield,and body condition score on the subsequent ovarian activity and fertility in lactating Holstein dairy cows

Seventy multiparous healthy lactating Holstein cows (fat-corrected milk yield = 7,561.8 kg) were monitored from 14 days before to 70 days after calving. Transrectal ultrasound scanning was performed twice weekly from 7 to 65 days postpartum. Blood samples were also collected twice weekly to measure serum P₄ and biweekly to detect serum β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Body condition score (BCS) was taken biweekly after calving. Based on the serum P₄ profile of 59 cows (11 cows were excluded due to the occurrence of postpartum diseases) studied, 27 (45.8%) had normal ovarian activity, while 21 (35.6%), six (10.1%), three (5.1%), and two (3.4%) had delayed ovulation (DOV), prolonged luteal phase (PLP), short luteal phase (SLP), and cessation of ovarian activity, respectively. Cows with PLP had an earlier ovulation compared to that of cows with normal ovarian activity (23.16 ± 4.02 vs 31.9 ± 8.35 days; P < 0.05). PLP cows also had a greater mean ± standard deviation peak milk yield (44.2 ± 5.8 vs 37.2 ± 5.7 kg/day, 75 days postpartum; P < 0.05) than cows with normal postpartum ovarian activity. The PLP group also had greater milk production in the previous lactation period. Logistic regression analysis indicated that cows with P₄ concentration ≥1 ng/ml on day 24 after calving were more at risk for PLP by 1.1 for each 1 kg increase in mean peak milk yield during 75 days after calving. BCS was lower in cows with DOV compared to that of cows with normal ovarian activity at any time after calving (P < 0.05). Serum βHB concentrations in DOV cows were significantly higher than that of normal cows on day 42 after calving (0.69 ± 0.29 vs 0.54 ± 0.12 mmol/L, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the mean concentrations of NEFA between cows in different groups at any time after calving (P > 0.05). The concentrations of P₄ on days 28 and 31 were negatively correlated with βHB concentration on day 42 after calving in cows with normal ovarian activity (R = −0.44, P = 0.02). In conclusion, these findings suggest that early ovulation and hence early postpartum P₄ rise in addition to the high milk production could partly be responsible for the occurrence of PLP in dairy cows.     

Prevalence and major bacterial causes of bovine mastitis in Asella,South Eastern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted in and around Asella town from November 2007 to April 2008 on dairy cows to determine the prevalence of mastitis, impact of risk factors and isolate the dominant mastitis causing bacteria on total of 223 lactating cows, of which 92 were indigenous Arsi, and 131 Holstein Zebu cross by using clinical examination and California mastitis test (CMT). Of these 144 (65.6 %) were positive by clinical examination and CMT for clinical and sub clinical mastitis, with prevalence of 26.5 % and 38 %, respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) on the prevalence of mastitis between cows kept under different hygiene of milking process. Similarly a significant difference on the prevalence of mastitis between the two breeds (P < 0.05) was also observed. From 144 CMT and clinically positive milk samples analyzed microbiologically, 133 were culturally positive for known mastitis pathogens and while 11 were negative. The dominant bacterial isolates in the study animals were Staphylococcus species (41.4 %), Streptococcus species (24.8 %), and other Gram positive rods and Gram negative enteric bacteria (33.8 %). Good hygiene in milking process, milking clinically infected cows at last, culling chronic mastitis carriers, treating clinically infected cows and dry period therapy could reduce the prevalence of contagious mastitis in the study area.     

Subclinical endometritis in Zebu x Friesian crossbred dairy cows: its risk factors,association with subclinical mastitis and effect on reproductive performance

A study was carried out on 59 clinically healthy Zebu x Friesian crossbred cows to determine the prevalence of subclinical endometritis, associated factors and its effect on the reproductive performance. Subclinical endometritis was diagnosed by endometrial cytology using uterine lavege technique and subclinical mastitis using CMT. The clinical, management and reproductive data were obtained from a weekly follow up visit of each cow for a period of 6 months after calving. The prevalence of subclinical endometritis, with ≥5% neutrophil count, was 47.5% and 30.5% at week 4 and 8, significantly decreasing (P = 0.002) as postpartum period advanced. Body condition score at week 4 postpartum (OR = 4.5, P = 0.017) and regular cow exercise (OR = 4.8, P = 0.026) were the significant risk factors while post-calving hygiene (P = 0.06) was poorly associated. Subclinical endometritis was also directly associated with subclinical mastitis at both week 4 (OR = 4.5, P = 0.012) and 8 (OR = 3.6, P = 0.031) postpartum. The risk of first service pregnancy (OR = 5.1, P = 0.004) was higher in cows negative for subclinical endometritis at week 8 postpartum and the proportion of cows that required more than 3 services was higher in cows with uterine inflammation. Also the proportion of cows diagnosed pregnant within 180 DIM was higher in cows with normal uterus at both week 4 (OR = 10.3, P = 0.001) and week 8(OR = 21.8, P = 0.001). These results indicated that subclinical endometritis was directly associated with poor body condition and subclinical mastitis and that it had negative effect on reproductive traits of dairy cows. This association may also reflect the possibility of translocation of bacteria/bacterial products from the uterus to the udder or vic-versa or else the presence of common cause for both endometritis and mastitis.     

Assessment of water buffalo health and productivity in a communal management system in the Philippines

This study aimed to generate a profile of the health and productivity of water buffaloes in a communal setting. Using the Epi-Info version 6.04 for data management, a coded information system was used to accommodate data coming from the reference population. Calves and cows that were born and milked, respectively, were enrolled and monitored for six months. The key outcomes of interest monitored in this study included mortality, morbidity and productivity. Results of the study showed a 93.7 percent probability of the calves surviving up to six months with a calculated mortality true rate of 0.7 deaths per 1000 calf-days at risk. Three calves died during the six month observation period with a mean age at death of 3 days. Analysis of variance on productivity showed that the parasitic load, specifically coccidia, liver fluke and trypanosoma affected the growth rate of the calves. The productivity of cows in the study in terms of milk production was also highly affected by the endoparasitic load and disease condition of the animal. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between calf scouring and cow’s mastitis (MASTITIS)(P = 0.066). Meanwhile, for the cows, the parasitic load particularly fasciolosis (P = 0.000), coccidiosis (P = 0.002) and trypanosomosis (P = 0.094) (P < 0.10) also significantly affected the milk production. The results give a clearer view of the relationship between the health and productivity profiles of these animals.