Mastitis effects on reproductive performance in dairy cattle: a review

The reproductive performance of dairy animals is influenced by several factors, and accumulating lines of evidence indicate that mastitis is one of the determinants. Most of the published information relating mastitis with reproduction has evolved based on retrospective approach rather than controlled clinical studies. The complex nature of both mastitis and reproduction could be a limiting factor for understanding their relationship in detail. In this review, we analyzed the available retrospective studies on the effects of clinical mastitis on reproductive function and explained the possible mechanisms by which mastitis affects reproduction in dairy animals.     

Effects of Diseases on Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cattle Ⅱ: Reproductive Diseases

With the rapid development of dairy breeding and the scale feeding level,the average individual milk yield of dairy herds in China has been greatly improved over the last few decades.However,the reproductive performance of dairy cows,especially in high-producing dairy cows,has declined continuously and affected severely dairy farm profitability.Reproductive performance of dairy cows was influenced by many factors including environment,herd management,genetics and various diseases.It has become more evident that genital tract diseases(also known as reproductive diseases) decreased reproductive performance of dairy cows during the last 10 years.The effect of reproductive diseases on reproduction of dairy cows has received more attention.This paper briefly described the incidence of reproductive diseases such as metritis,various types of endometritis and retained fetal membrane and ovarian diseases such as ovarian cyst,persistent corpus luteum in China and abroad.This paper highlighted the effects of reproductive diseases on reproductive performance such as days open,calving interval,pregnancy rate,estrus detection,days to first breeding and breeding index.Moreover,we analyzed in more detail the possible mechanisms by disrupting endocrine signaling,damaging intrauterine environment and causing ovarian dysregulation.Lastly,we looked forward to the future research direction of reproductive diseases of dairy cows that provided data reference and theoretical support for improving the management measures of scale feeding,reducing the incidence of reproductive diseases,improving the production and reproductive capacity of dairy herds in China.     

疾病对奶牛繁殖性能的影响及其研究进展Ⅱ:生殖器官疾病

在过去几十年，随着奶牛育种和规模化饲养水平的快速发展，中国奶牛群单产水平大幅提高，但是奶牛，特别是高产奶牛繁殖性能呈现不断下降趋势，严重影响了奶牛养殖的盈利能力。繁殖性能的降低受多种因素影响，包括环境、畜群管理、遗传和各种疾病等。近年来，生殖器官疾病（也称繁殖疾病）降低奶牛生殖能力的情况越来越明显，其对奶牛繁殖的影响受到了越来越多的关注。文章简述了国内外生殖道疾病如子宫炎、子宫内膜炎、胎衣不下和卵巢疾病如卵巢囊肿、持久黄体等繁殖疾病发生情况。通过文献检索和数据比较，重点介绍了繁殖疾病对奶牛繁殖性能如空怀天数、产犊间隔、妊娠率、发情检出率、产后首次配种天数、配种指数等繁殖指标的影响和研究成果。同时，重点分析了繁殖疾病通过干扰生殖内分泌，损伤子宫内环境，导致卵巢功能异常影响奶牛繁殖性能的可能机制，并对奶牛繁殖疾病研究方向提出了展望，以期为改进中国规模牧场管理措施、减少繁殖疾病发生、提高奶牛群生产和生殖能力提供数据参考和理论支持。     

疾病对奶牛繁殖性能的影响及其研究进展Ⅰ:现状与机制

过去二十多年，随着奶牛群体遗传改良计划的持续推进和养殖技术的不断进步，中国奶牛集约化养殖水平和产奶量正在不断提高。但是，历年来的繁育数据显示，越是高产的牛群，繁殖性能下降的趋势越明显，繁殖问题越突出，高产引发的繁殖力下降已经成为制约中国乃至全球奶业发展的瓶颈。低繁殖力会严重影响奶牛生产群的更新速度以及优质牛群泌乳性能的正常发挥。奶牛养殖生产中，造成高产奶牛繁殖性能降低的因素众多，包括遗传因素、环境因素和疾病因素等。近年来，疾病因素对奶牛繁殖性能的影响越来越突出。根据疾病的发生部位，可将影响高产奶牛的疾病分为生殖器官疾病和非生殖器官疾病。作者详细介绍了近年来国内外不同疾病对奶牛繁殖性能影响的相关研究资料，重点分析了疾病通过神经系统、生殖内分泌系统和体液免疫系统等多个途径影响奶牛繁殖性能的分子机制，并对疾病与高产奶牛繁殖性能今后研究的方向提出了展望和思考，以期为提高中国高产奶牛群繁殖效率和经济效益提供一定的借鉴和理论依据。     

Effects of Diseases on Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cattle Ⅰ: Current Situation and Its Mechanism

Over the past 20 years,with the continuous promotion of the genetic improvement plan of dairy cow population and the continuous improvement of feeding technology,the intensive level and milk yield of dairy cow population in China are continuously improving.However,the reproduction data over the years showed that the more milk yield,the more obviously decline in reproductive performance,and the more prominent of the reproductive problems.The decline of fertility caused by high yield has become the bottleneck of the development of dairy industry in China and even in the world.In dairy farming,there are many factors that cause the reduction of reproductive performance of high-yield dairy cows,including genetic factors,environmental factors and disease factors.Recently,the influence of disease factors on reproductive performance of dairy cows has become more and more prominent.According to the location of the disease,the diseases can be divided into genital diseases and non-genital diseases.This paper discussed the relevant research data on the effects of different diseases on the reproductive performance of dairy cows in recent years,and focusing on the analysis of the molecular mechanism of diseases affecting the reproductive performance of dairy cows through the nervous system,reproductive endocrine system and humoral immune system.The prospect and thinking for the future research of diseases and reproductive performance of high-yield dairy cows were put forward to provide reference and theoretical basis for improving the reproductive efficiency and economic benefits of high-yield dairy cows in China.     

Effects of clinical mastitis on reproductive and milk performance of Holstein cows in Morocco

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of clinical mastitis and time of first mastitis occurrence on reproductive and milk performance of Holstein cows. Data were collected in a dairy farm from 2008 to 2012 on 1725 cows, among which 464 cows with mastitis. To determine the influence of clinical mastitis on reproductive and milk performance, models included fixed effects of parity, calving season, calving year, and group (cows with and with no mastitis). To determine the effect of time of 1st mastitis occurrence on reproductive performance, the mastitic cows group was further reclassified into three groups: prior to 60 days, between 60 and 90 days and greater than 90 days postpartum. For milk performance, the mastitic cows group was divided into two groups: before and after peak milk yield. Clinical mastitis had significant effects on calving to first AI interval, milk yield, and fat yield, but a non-significant effect on days open, number of inseminations per conception, and milk fat percentage. Mastitic cows had a calving to first AI interval 6.1 days longer and 549.6 kg milk and 20.4 kg fat per 305 days of lactation lower than those with no mastitis. Time of 1st mastitis occurrence did not have any significant effect on reproductive performance. Further, milk and fat yields of cows diseased before peak milk yield were 506 kg and 23.9 kg, respectively, lower than those of cows affected after peak milk yield. Extra attention needs to be paid to mastitis during the early postpartum period.

     

过瘤胃胆碱在围产期奶牛的应用研究进展

奶牛养殖过程中,围产期被认为是最重要的时期之一,在该时期奶牛从干奶状态转为泌乳状态,生理上所受的应激造成奶牛泌乳早期采食量降低,易发生能量负平衡.此外,奶牛生产性能和繁殖性能也会降低,并常常伴有一些围产期疾病的发生,如脂肪肝、酮症、乳房炎等.胆碱能影响奶牛的生产与繁殖性能,参与奶牛的脂肪代谢,可降低脂肪肝发生率,提高免疫性能.对围产期奶牛饲喂过瘤胃保护胆碱(rumen protected choline,RPC),可改善奶牛机体代谢,增加小肠胆碱供应,进而提高奶产量、改善乳成分、缓解脂肪肝、减少围产期疾病的发生.本文综述了RPC对围产期奶牛干物质采食量、生产性能、乳成分以及健康状况的影响,旨在为围产期奶牛的养殖提供理论参考依据.     

NF-κB信号通路调控奶牛乳腺炎的分子作用机制

乳腺炎通常是由微生物感染引起的乳腺炎症反应,是奶牛最常见的疾病之一,可导致牛奶产量及品质下降,奶牛利用年限减少,严重地影响着牧场的经济效益。近年来,学者们在奶牛乳腺炎分子调节机制方面开展了大量研究,发现NF-κB及其信号通路可参与调控多个免疫相关基因的表达,在细胞炎症反应和免疫应答等过程起关键性作用,也是奶牛乳腺炎研究的热点。本文阐述了奶牛乳腺炎的病因和病理变化,以及NF-κB信号通路与机体免疫的关系,并重点综述了mRNA、非编码RNA（miRNA、lncRNA和circRNA）及生物活性物质通过NF-κB信号通路调控奶牛乳腺炎的最新研究进展,为奶牛乳腺炎的分子调控网络解析、抗乳腺炎分子育种与生物活性药物研发提供参考。     

Is there a role for organic trace element supplements in transition cow health?

Optimal transition cow health is the key to success of the subsequent lactation, and increasing attention has been focused on management and nutritional practices that support it. Physiological stress during the transition period alters the efficiency of the immune system, making the lactating dairy cow more susceptible to infectious diseases, such as mastitis and metritis, with subsequent impairment of reproductive performance. Trace elements have a specific role in free radical control at the cellular level and influence the anti-oxidant/free radical balance. Dietary trace elements must be available for absorption throughout the whole of the digestive process until they reach the final site of absorption in the small intestine. Negative interactions between minerals can occur and, as the intestinal environment lowers the absorption of ionic minerals, chelation technology has been developed to increase mineral bioavailability. Organic trace elements have been used in dairy cow experiments, resulting in significant improvements in udder health, lameness and reproductive performance.     

Management practices associated with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection and the effects of the infection on dairy herds

During 2004, a survey of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (map) was conducted in 101 randomly selected dairy herds to investigate associations between the infection status of the herds, different management practices, and possible disease indicators, such as indices of mastitis and reproductive performance. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire through personal interviews with the farmers and veterinarians in charge of each farm. At the same time, blood samples were taken from cattle over one year old and analysed with a commercial elisa to detect antibodies to map. Statistical analyses indicated that the following management practices constituted major risk factors: utilisation of colostrum from cows with a previous positive map diagnosis, and housing replacement calves with adult cattle before they were six months old. Seropositivity to map was related to the herds' bulk tank somatic cell counts and incidence of clinical mastitis, but not to their reproductive performance.     

Effect of relationships among clinical mastitis incidence,reproductive performance,and culling rate on the lifetime of dairy cows at Hiroshima University Farm

Farm managers' decision to cull dairy cows is based on the cows' milk production, history of disorder(s), and reproductive performance, each of which affects dairy cows' lifetime (herd life and productive lifespan). We investigated the relationships among the incidence of clinical mastitis (CM), the reproductive performance, and the culling rate. We also assessed the effects of these relationships on the lifetimes of dairy cows, using the records made before and after the introduction of an automatic milking system (AMS) at Hiroshima University Farm. Milk yield, CM incidence density, and culling rate of dairy cows increased after the AMS introduction. The CM incidence was associated with an elongation of the calving interval in cows with the same parity. CM in the 1st parity might have caused the reductions of the cows' lifetime and their parity at culling. A higher age at first calving (AFC) was associated with an increase in culling rate but did not lead to a significant decrease in lifetime. Investigations of the factors mediating CM in the 1st parity or AFC with CM incidence or culling rate in the later stages might contribute to the control of lifetime of dairy cows.     

Severity of E. coli mastitis is mainly determined by cow factors

Intramammary infections of dairy cows with Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (major cause of mastitis) have received a lot of attention because of their major economic impact on the dairy farm through production losses induced by an increase in somatic cell count. Management strategies, including greater awareness for efficient milking and hygienic measures, have limited the spread of Gram-positive bacteria and resulted in a significant decrease of proportion of S. aureus isolates and subclinical mastitis worldwide. Other organisms such as coliform subspecies and Streptococcus uberis, both environmental bacteria that cause clinical mastitis, have received less attention. Escherichia coli causes inflammation of the mammary gland in dairy cows around parturition and during early lactation with striking local and sometimes severe systemic clinical symptoms. This disease affects many high producing cows in dairy herds and may cause several cases of death per year in the most severe cases. It is well known that bacterial, cow and environmental factors are interdependent and influence mastitis susceptibility. Many studies, executed during the last decade, indicate that the severity of E. coli mastitis is mainly determined by cow factors rather than by E. coli pathogenicity. During E. coli mastitis, the host defense status is a cardinal factor determining the outcome of the disease. Today, we know that the neutrophil is a key factor in the cows' defense against intramammary infection with E. coli. Effective elimination of the pathogen by neutrophils is important for the resolution of infection and the outcome of E. coli mastitis. This review is a compilation of some major findings over the last 15 years concerning mainly host factors that modulate and influence neutrophil function and the mammary inflammatory reaction. The individual chapters address: virulence factors of E. coli strains, how neutrophils kill E. coli, connection between endotoxins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide, severity classification of E. coli mastitis, lifespan of neutrophils, host factors that influence severity, tissue damage and production loss.     

利用DHI报表对宁夏某奶牛场生产性能总体情况的分析

DHI测定是奶牛场精细化管理的工具,它不仅反映奶牛的产奶性能,饲养管理与健康水平,还能根据报表信息对奶牛场的育种与繁殖情况进行评价从而改进管理措施,利用好DHI报表信息可以提高奶牛场的技术管理水平和经济效益。本研究通过采集宁夏某奶牛场12个月的DHI报表数据,分析乳脂肪、乳蛋白、尿素氮、体细胞数、泌乳持续力等关键性指标,对该奶牛场的生产性能、经营管理、育种繁殖状况进行综合评定。结果表明：该牛场的泌乳高峰日到达较晚;牛群乳房炎在冬季发生率较高;群体尿素氮含量处于正常范围（10-18mg/dL）,对奶牛的繁殖性能影响较小;泌乳持续力较高、奶牛群体平均泌乳天数较长引起的繁殖问题较严重。针对测检和分析中发现的问题,提出了建议的改进措施。     

植物精油缓解奶牛热应激效果的研究进展

热应激是制约奶牛生产性能的诸多因素之一,可以引起奶牛的乳房炎、热射病,导致奶牛生产繁殖性能下降。缓解奶牛热应激可以从环境控制、饲养管理、营养调控等多方面着手。本文总结了奶牛热应激的危害,以及从植物精油饲料添加剂的角度缓解奶牛热应激的研究进展和在其他畜禽动物上的应用。植物精油具有抗氧化,抑菌、提高机体免疫力等诸多功效,在奶牛生产中可被用来改善奶牛瘤胃发酵功能,提高蛋白质利用率,改善饲料转化效率,间接达到缓解奶牛热应激的功效。     

奶牛亚临床酮症的研究进展

酮症是高产奶牛在泌乳前期的常见病。根据有无临床症状将酮症分为临床酮症（clinical ketosis,CK）和亚临床酮症（subclinical ketosis,SCK）。酮症会导致奶牛血液或牛奶中酮体浓度增加,目前主要通过检测血液中β-羟丁酸（BHBA）浓度高低来对酮症进行诊断。CK对奶牛的影响比较明显,因此更能引起牧场主的关注。而奶牛患有SCK后不表现出临床症状,往往容易被牧场主忽视。SCK如同CK和奶牛围产期其他疾病一样是造成奶牛经济和福利损失的主要原因之一。SCK大大增加了奶牛产后相关疾病的风险,如CK、真胃移位、胎衣不下、乳房炎和子宫炎等,另外患有SCK的奶牛生产性能大幅度下降（泌乳性能降低、繁殖性能变差、淘汰率增加）,给牧场的发展带来了不可估量的损失。SCK可能在未被发现的时候就已经开始对生产性能产生影响,而且它对生产性能的影响与CK引起的影响相当,但是由于缺乏临床症状而不被牧场重视。作者在这篇综述中将着重介绍奶牛SCK的最新研究进展,这不仅有助于进一步了解奶牛酮症的发病机理及SCK对生产力的不利影响,并且可提供针对SCK的不同检测方法和可行的预测方法来帮助牧场进行早期诊断,减少因SCK造成的奶牛福利和经济损失。     

奶牛乳腺炎无乳链球菌毒力相关因子

链球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌是引起奶牛乳腺炎的3大病原菌，在链球菌属中无乳链球菌是引起奶牛乳腺炎的重要病原菌之一，由无乳链球菌导致的乳腺炎约占隐性乳腺炎发病率的56.25%。无乳链球菌入侵奶牛乳腺的过程主要包括感染、黏附上皮细胞、侵入上皮细胞、损伤机体和免疫逃避等过程。无乳链球菌的毒力因子具有附着和侵袭机体细胞的作用，使菌体在奶牛乳腺表面形成生物被膜，进而干扰机体的正常免疫功能并引起疾病。本文主要阐述了无乳链球菌在入侵乳腺组织过程中发挥主要作用的毒力因子的种类、作用机制以及调控过程，旨在通过抑制其相关毒力因子的活性，从而阻断无乳链球菌在乳腺中感染和传播，进而为预防和治疗链球菌型乳腺炎提供新的思路。     

奶山羊乳房炎的综合防治措施

引发奶山羊乳房炎的因素有很多,主要包括致病菌感染、挤奶操作不规范、营养失衡及其他因素。无论是微生物,还是物理和化学因素导致的奶山羊乳房炎都会影响产奶量和奶品质,甚至影响奶山羊的使用年限,给养殖场(户)带来较大的经济损失。本文从奶山羊乳房炎发病原因、临床特征、治疗方案和预防措施四个方面进行分析,供同行交流借鉴。     

Advances on Virulence Factors of Streptococcus agalactiae of Dairy Cows Mastitis

Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli are the three major pathogens causing mastitis in dairy cows, and Streptococcus agalactiae (S.agalactiae) in Streptoco-ccus is one of the important pathogens causing mastitis in dairy cows, which accounts for around 56.25% of the incidence of sub-clinic mastitis. The process of S.agalactiae invasion mammary glands of dairy cows mainly includes:infection, adhesion, invasion, and then damage the mammary tissue and entail the inflammation. The virulence factor of S. agalactiae has the function of attaching and invading the mammary gland epithelial cells so that the bacteria could form the biofilm on the surface. After infection, the irritation of the mammary tissues by infectious processes serves to the immune response. In this paper, we summarized the types, mechanism, and regulation process of S. agalactiae virulence factors which plays a major role in the invasion of mastitis, aimed to show the activity of S. agalactiae by inhibiting the activity of its related virulence factors in preventing dairy cow mastitis and provide new ideas for the treatment.     

奶牛乳房炎检测技术与牛奶质量关系的研究进展

牛奶质量与诸多因素相关,其中奶牛疾病是影响牛奶质量的根源。奶牛乳房炎是一种奶牛常见的疾病,与牛奶质量、产量有密切的关系。目前奶牛乳房炎防治在中国刚刚起步,因此奶牛乳房炎检测技术对奶牛疾病控制、牛奶质量、畜牧业发展和人们身体健康具有重要意义。     

Use of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial pathogens isolated from the milk of dairy cows with clinical mastitis to predict response to treatment with cephapirin and oxytetracycline

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial pathogens isolated from the milk of dairy cows with clinical mastitis were associated with duration of clinical signs or bacteriologic cure rate following treatment with cephapirin and oxytetracycline. DESIGN: Observational study on a convenience sample. ANIMALS: 58 dairy cows with 121 episodes of clinical mastitis. PROCEDURE: Cows that only had abnormal glandular secretions were treated with cephapirin alone. Cows with an inflamed gland and abnormal glandular secretions were treated with oxytetracycline and cephapirin. Cows with systemic signs of illness, an inflamed gland, and abnormal glandular secretions were treated with oxytetracycline and flunixin meglumine and frequent stripping of the affected glands. The Kirby-Bauer method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and current guidelines were used to categorize causative bacteria as susceptible or resistant to the treatment regimen. RESULTS: Median durations of episodes of clinical mastitis caused by susceptible (n = 97) and resistant (24) bacteria were not significantly different. Bacteriologic cure rates at 14 and 28 days were similar for episodes caused by susceptible and resistant bacteria; however, for 56 episodes of clinical mastitis caused by gram-positive bacteria and treated with cephapirin alone, bacteriologic cure rate at 28 days was significantly higher for susceptible than for resistant bacteria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that antimicrobial susceptibility testing was of no value in predicting duration of clinical signs or bacteriologic cure rate in dairy cows with mastitis, except for episodes caused by gram-positive organisms treated with intramammary administration of cephapirin alone.