Serum neutralizing antibody titers in dairy cattle administered an inactivated vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine

Two doses of a formalin-killed, cell culture-derived vesicular stomatitis virus (vsv)-New Jersey serotype vaccine were administered intramuscularly, 30 days apart, to all lactating and nonlactating cows in a 350-cow dairy herd. Serum specimens were obtained serially from 96 cows before vaccination and at 30, 52 and 80 days after vaccination and from 24 of these cows 175 days after vaccination. Serum neutralizing antibody titers to vsv-New Jersey serotype were determined from serum-dilution, plaque-reduction tests. Serum neutralizing antibody titers also were determined during the same period for 67 nonvaccinated heifers in the herd. Peak group geometric mean serum neutralizing antibody titers of 1:530.46 +/- 1.14 (group geometric mean titer log10, 2.725 +/- 0.055) developed 21 days after the second vaccination, but decreased to a low value of 1:65.36 +/- 1.38 (group geometric mean titer log10, 1.815 +/- 0.142) by 175 days after vaccination. The nonvaccinated group had no detectable antibody titer to vsv-New Jersey serotype throughout the study. All serum specimens from the vaccinates and controls were negative for heterologous reactivity to vsv-Indiana serotype.     

The influence of colostral antibodies on the postvaccinale humorale immune response in neonatal calves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of vaccination of young calves and to see whether maternal antibodies may influence the immunological response in calves. For this project 20 matched-pairs of cows and their offspring were selected. Of each pair, one cow received a placebo 8 and 4 weeks before term (group A) and the other was vaccinated against Feline Leucose Virus, FeLV, with Leucogen? (group B). All calves received colostrum from their respective mother shortly after birth and all calves were vaccinated with Leucogen? 10 days after birth. Blood samples from the cows and calves were taken during the whole study period (till four weeks after calf vaccination). An ELISA test was done in the lab to define the FeLV antibody concentration. 30 % of the vaccinated cows showed a seroconversion, 13 out of 20 vaccinated cows passed the antibodies onto their calves. 11 calves of group B did not convert in comparation of only 4 of group A. All seroconverted calves had low antibody concentration before their vaccination. Calves of group B with a low passive antibody level at the beginning showed a higher seroconversion as compared to calves with higher antibody concentrations of the same group. Two thirds of the calves without maternal antibodies reacted adequately to the vaccination. Therefore, an early vaccination of calves can be recommended.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of milk immunoglobulins to leukocidin toxin of Staphylococcus aureus

Leukocidin toxin from a bovine strain of Staphylococcus aureus was partially purified by ion exchange chromatography. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to quantitate antibodies specific for leukocidin in bovine milk. This was used to assay quarter samples from 88 cows in a S aureus-infected herd for antibody levels to the toxin. Milk samples from 65 cows with S aureus infections in at least one quarter produced a mean optical density of 1.054, whereas milk samples from 23 cows that were free of bacteria on cultural examination had a mean optical density of 0.584. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.001) in milk anti-leukocidin levels between these 2 groups. Evaluation of serum samples from 40 of these cows indicated that the milk anti-leukocidin concentrations were reflective of systemic anti-leukocidin values. The capability of 57 milk samples to neutralize the cytolytic effect of minimal amounts of leukocidin on bovine peripheral blood neutrophils was examined. Good correlation existed between the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody concentration and toxin-neutralizing capability of individual milk samples.     

Subcutaneous injection of thymopentin in the area of the supramammary lymph node to reduce milk somatic cell count in subclinically mastitic cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of thymopentin (TP‐5) injections on subclinical intramammary infection (IMI) in lactating cows. In Experiment I, 40 cows were randomly divided into four groups. The cows in groups 1, 2, and 3 received subcutaneous injections of TP‐5 in the region of the supramammary lymph node at doses of 1, 2, and 4 mg, respectively, for 3 days. In Experiment II, 20 cows were randomly divided into two groups. The cows in group 1 were treated with injections of TP‐5 (4 mg) for 3 days in the same area as in Experiment I. Group 4 in Experiment I and group 2 in Experiment II were not treated and served as control groups. Milk samples were collected before and after treatment for bacteriological examination and analysis of the somatic cell count and level of N‐acetyl‐β‐d ‐glucosaminidase (NAGase). The results showed that treatment with TP‐5 significantly reduced the somatic cell count (SCC) and NAGase activity of the milk and numerically reduced IMI. A dose of 4 mg was found to be optimal for the reduction of SCC and NAGase in milk. Therefore, further study of the use of TP‐5 in the treatment of bovine mastitis is warranted.     

Oestrus synchronisation with a prostaglandin analogue III. Special aspects of synchronisation

Two groups of lactating dairy cows in each of 4 dairy herds were injected with either 0.5 mg (219 cows) or 0.3 mg (118 cows) of Ooprostenol (I.C.I.) The first group of cows were injected from Day 6 to Day 17 of the oestrous cycle (Day 0 — oestrus) and the second group from Day 6 to Day 12. The four herds were selected specifically because oestrus-detection procedures were thorough and reliable. Of the cows receiving the 0.5 mg dose rate, 54.3% were observed in oestrus within 4 days of treatment. The remainder were in groups which were: (i) in oestrus from 5 to 10 days post-treatment (20.5% with prolonged response intervals), and 11 to 20 days post-treatment (15.5% with unaltered cycle lengths); or (ii) experienced a “silent oestrus” in the immediate post-treatment period and either did not show oestrus for a further 3 weeks (6.4% in oestrus from 21 to 29 days post-treatment) or conceived to a single set-time insemination 72 h after treatment (0.9%). Use of the lower dose rate resulted in fewer cows being observed in oestrus within 72 h (43.8% v 31.4%) and a corresponding rise in the percentage experiencing a “silent oestrus” and returning to service (6.4% v 13.6%) or conceiving to set-time insemination (0.9% v 3.4%). Most of the unaltered cycle lengths occurred with cows being treated on Day 6 of the oestrous cycle. The pregnancy rate for the 171 cows observed in oestrus within 4 days of treatment and inseminated at 72 h, or 72h and 96 h, was 57.3%.

Records from this trial, as well as previous trials in which cows were injected with 0.5 mg of Cloprostenol, showed that 446 of 524 cows (85%) injected at from Day 6 to Day 17 of the oestrous cycle were observed in oestrus within 5 days (144 h) of treatment. Amongthese 446 cows, the interval to post-treatment oestrus was influenced by the stage of the cycle at injection. Whereas 89% of the oestrous responses in cows treated on Days 6 to 9 were observed within 72 h of injection, the comparable figures for cows treated on Days 10 to 13 and Days 14 to 17 were 48% and 70% respectively.

Variation in the post-treatment interval to oestrus is greater in lactating dairy cows than in heifers and is not resolved by using double-injection regimes. The reasons for this variation have not been identified. The most effective use of prostaglandins for oestrus synchronisation in lactating dairy cows requires the treatment of groups of animals at similar stages of theiroestrous cycles and their post-treatment insemination at observed oestrus. These requirements may limit the usefulness of this technology in herds with poor breeding management.     

The effects of subcutaneous injections of sodium selenate on blood composition and milk yield in dairy cows.

Three groups of four lactating cows received a subcutaneous injection of 0 . 05, 0 . 10 and 0 . 15 mg Se/kg body weighty respectively administered as sodium selenate. A fourth group was injected with saline. In all the cows injected with sodium selenate, the concentration of Se in blood increased rapidly and was significantly higher than in control cows for two days in the group receiving the lowest dose and for 182 days (the duration of the experiment) in the two other groups. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in blood increased slowly in all cows injected with sodium selenate and was significantly greater than in control cows after 15, 22 and 29 days respectively, and remained significantly greater for 63, 91 and 182 days respectively. In a second experiment a single subcutaneous injection of 0 . 15 mg Se/kg body weight had no effect on the mean milk yield of 37 animals (19 . 1 kg/day) compared with the milk yield of a similar group of control animals (19 . 1 kg/day) during 70 days. The concentration of Se in milk was significantly higher on the first (168 microgram/litre) and second (69 microgram/litre) day after injection than in control animals (mean 26 microgram/litre).     

奶牛泌乳盛期补饲碘的效果

选用１５头泌乳盛期荷斯坦牛，采用对比试验研究日粮中添加碘对奶牛产奶量的影响，结果是：补饲Ｋ１１５和２５ｍｇ／头．日组的日平均奶量分别比对照组高３．４９千克（Ｐ＜０．０５）和２．７６千克（Ｐ＜０．０５）。两个试验组之间日平均奶量无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。三个组牛血清中Ｔ４和Ｔ３浓度无明显差异。     

硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性研究

为研究硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性,试验选用24头泌乳期的健康中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为4组(每组6头),其中3个受试药物组(Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组)分别给奶牛子宫内注入不同剂量的硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂,1个空白对照组(Ⅳ组),给奶牛子宫内注入一定剂量的灭菌生理盐水。给药2次,间隔72h。在给药第0天、末次给药日及停药第7天,观察记录试验奶牛的各项指标,包括体温(直肠温度)、脉搏、呼吸频率、血液生理和生化指标、精神状态等临床表现及日产奶量和乳汁体细胞数(SCC)等,并对其进行考查。结果表明,泌乳期奶牛按推荐方法使用受试药物硫酸头孢喹肟子宫注入剂较安全,临床可用于治疗泌乳期奶牛的子宫内膜炎。     

Safety Study on Cefquinome Sulfate Intrauterine Infusion for Lactating Cows

The aim of this experiment was to study the safety of cefquinome sulfate intrauterine infusion for lactating cows.24 healthy lactating Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into four groups(6 cows in each group).Cows in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were respectively injected different doses of cefquinome sulfate intrauterine infusion in uterus, and cows in the blank control group(group Ⅳ) were injected the dose of sterilized saline water.The cows were injected with the tested drug in uterus for twice and the interval was 72 h.The indicators including body temperature(rectal temperature), pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood physiological and biochemical indexes, mental state, daily milk yield and somatic cell count(SCC) in milk were respectively observed and measured on the day of first administration, the day of final administration and the 7th day after final administration.The results showed that injecting lactating cows cefquinome sulfate intrauterine infusion to lactating cows as recommended dosage was safe.The drug could be used to treat endometritis of lactating cows in clinical practice.     

Appearance and disappearance of swainsonine in serum and milk of lactating ruminants with nursing young following a single dose exposure to swainsonine (locoweed; Oxytropis sericea)

A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the elimination of swainsonine in the milk of lactating ruminants following a single dose oral exposure to swainsonine (locoweed; Oxytropis sericea) and to assess subsequent subclinical effects on the mothers and their nursing young. In a preliminary experiment, lactating ewes were gavaged with locoweed providing 0.8 mg swainsonine/kg BW (n = 4; BW = 75.8 +/- 3.6 kg; lactation = d 45) and lactating cows were offered up to 2.0 mg swainsonine/kg BW free choice (n = 16; BW = 389.6 +/- 20.9 kg; lactation = d 90). Serum and milk were collected at h 0 (before treatment), 3, 6, 12, and 24 for ewes, and h 0 (before treatment), 6, 12, 18, and 24 for cows. Swainsonine was highest (P < 0.05) by h 6 in the serum and milk of ewes. Consumption of at least 0.61 mg swainsonine/kg BW induced consistent (> 0.025 microg/mL) appearance of swainsonine in cow serum and milk. In response to the results obtained in the preliminary experiment, a subsequent experiment utilizing lactating ewes (n = 13; BW = 74.8 +/- 6.4 kg; lactation = d 30) and cows (n = 13; BW = 460.8 +/- 51.9 kg; lactation = d 90) was conducted. Each lactating ruminant was gavaged with a locoweed extract to provide 0 (control), 0.2, or 0.8 mg swainsonine/kg BW and individually penned with her nursing young. Serum and milk from the mothers and serum from the nursing young were collected at h 0 (before treatment), 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 (an additional sample was obtained at h 72 for ewes and lambs). Serum and milk swainsonine was higher (P < 0.05) in the 0.8 mg treated groups and maximal (P < 0.05) concentrations occurred from h 3 to 6 for ewes and h 6 to 12 h for cows (P < 0.05). Rises in alkaline phosphatase activity indicated subclinical toxicity in the treated ewes (P < 0.05). Following a single dose oral exposure to 0.2 and 0.8 mg swainsonine/kg BW provided by a locoweed extract, swainsonine was detected in the serum and milk of lactating ewes and cows, and rises in serum alkaline phosphatase activity were observed in the ewes. Neither swainsonine nor changes in alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the serum of the lambs and calves nursing the ewes and cows dosed with swainsonine.     

Milk residues and performance of lactating dairy cows administered high doses of monensin

Milk residues and performance were evaluated in lactating cows that were fed up to 10 times the recommended dose of monensin. Following an acclimatization period of 14 d, during which cows were fed a standard lactating cow total mixed ration containing 24 ppm monensin, 18 lactating Holstein dairy cows were grouped according to the level of feed intake and then randomly assigned within each group to 1 of 3 challenge rations delivering 72, 144, and 240 ppm monensin. Outcome measurements included individual cow daily feed intakes, daily milk production, body weights, and monensin residues in composite milk samples from each cow. There were no detectable monensin residues (< 0.005 microg/mL) in any of the milk samples collected. Lactating cows receiving a dose of 72 ppm monensin exhibited up to a 20% reduction in dry matter intake, and a 5% to 15% drop in milk production from the pre-challenge period. Cows receiving doses of 144 and 240 ppm monensin exhibited rapid decreases in feed intake of up to 50% by the 2nd d and milk production losses of up to 20% and 30%, respectively, within 4 d. Lactating cows receiving up to 4865 mg monensin per day had no detectable monensin residues (< 0.005 microg/mL) in any of the milk samples collected. Results of this study confirm that food products derived from lactating dairy cattle receiving monensin at recommended levels are safe for human consumption.     

间接ELISA检测奶牛乳房炎多联苗抗体方法的研究

利用超声波破碎法制备无乳链球菌、停乳链球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌可溶性抗原。对3种破碎抗原最佳包被浓度及包被条件、血清样品工作浓度、封闭液、酶标二抗的最佳工作浓度及作用时间等反应体系进行筛选和优化,初步建立了间接ELISA法检测奶牛乳房炎多联苗3种菌血清抗体的方法。对24头泌乳牛进行抗体检测,结果表明该3种抗原反应体系一致,3种抗原最适包被浓度为4—6μg／mL．血清样品最佳稀释度为1：200,该方法具有快速、简单、特异性和重复性好等优点。     

A CIDR-based timed embryo transfer protocol increases the pregnancy rate of lactating repeat breeder dairy cows

This study evaluated the pregnancy rates following either a controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based timed artificial insemination (TAI) or an embryo transfer (TET) protocol compared with that following a single PGF(2alpha) injection and AI after estrus (AIE) in lactating repeat breeder dairy cows. Fifty-three lactating dairy cows diagnosed as repeat breeders were used in this study and were randomly assigned to the following three treatments. (1) Cows, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR device and 2 mg estradiol benzoate (EB; Day 0), a 25 mg PGF(2) (alpha) injection at the time of CIDR removal on Day 7 and a 1 mg EB injection on Day 8. The cows then received TAI 30 h (Day 9) after the second EB injection using dairy semen (TAI group, n=13). (2) Cows, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received the same hormonal treatments as in the TAI group. The cows then received TET on Day 16 using frozen-thawed blastocysts or morula embryos collected from Korean native cattle donors (TET group, n=13). (3) Cows, at the luteal phase, received a 25 mg injection of PGF(2alpha) and AIE using dairy semen (control group, n=27). The ovaries of the cows in the TET group were examined by transrectal ultrasonography to determine ovulation of the preovulatory follicles, and blood samples were collected for serum progesterone (P4) analysis. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the TET group (53.8%) than in the control (18.5%) or TAI (7.7%) groups (P<0.05). The ultrasonographic observations demonstrated that all the cows in the TET group ovulated the preovulatory follicles and concomitantly formed new corpora lutea. Accordingly, the mean serum P4 concentration remained constant between Day 0 and Day 7 of the luteal phase, decreased dramatically on Day 8 (P<0.01) and subsequently increased by Day 16 (P<0.01). These data suggest that the CIDR-based TET protocol can be used to effectively increase the pregnancy rate in lactating repeat breeder dairy cows.     

Effect of preoperative administration of erythromycin or flunixin meglumine on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in dairy cows undergoing surgical correction of left displacement of the abomasum

Objective: To determine whether preoperative administration of erythromycin or flunixin meglumine altered postoperative abomasal emptying rate, rumen contraction rate, or milk production in dairy cattle undergoing surgical correction of left displacement of the abomasum (LDA). DESIGN: Nonrandomized, controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 45 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows with LDA. PROCEDURES: Cows were alternately assigned to an erythromycin (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], IM), flunixin (2.2 mg/kg [1.0 mg/lb], IV), or control group (n = 15/group). Treatments were administered once 1 hour before surgical correction of LDA. D-Xylose solution (50%; 0.5 g/kg [0.23 g/lb]) was injected into the abomasal lumen during surgery, and venous blood samples were periodically obtained to determine time to maximum serum D-xylose concentration. RESULTS: Abomasal emptying rate was significantly faster in cows treated with erythromycin (mean +/- SD time to maximum serum D-xylose concentration, 149 +/- 48 minutes) than in control cows (277 +/- 95 minutes) but was not significantly different between cows treated with flunixin (230 +/- 49 minutes) and control cows. Cows treated with erythromycin had significantly greater milk production, relative to production before surgery, on postoperative days 1 and 2 than did control cows. Cows in the erythromycin and flunixin groups had a significantly higher rumen contraction rate on the first postoperative day than did control cows. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that preoperative administration of a single dose of erythromycin increased abomasal emptying rate, rumen contraction rate, and milk production in the immediate postoperative period in cows undergoing surgical correction of LDA.     

Effect of selenium and vitamin E on antibody production by dairy cows vaccinated against Escherichia coli.

Sixty clinically healthy Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four groups according to their age and parity and vaccinated in late pregnancy (day 190) with a multivalent vaccine against Escherichia coli. The 15 cows in the first group (SeE) were injected intramuscularly with a solution of sodium selenite (0.1 mg Se/kg bodyweight) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate, 8 U/kg bodyweight), the cows in the second group (Se) received only selenium and the cows in the third group (E) received only vitamin E at the same doses and by the same route of administration; the cows in the fourth group were used as controls. The vaccination and the injections of selenium and vitamin E were repeated 42 days later. The concentration of selenium in whole blood and of vitamin E in serum was determined by fluorometric methods. Specific antibody titres against E coli were determined in serum samples by ELISA. The results showed that the injection of selenium either alone or in combination with vitamin E significantly improved the production of specific antibodies against E coli, and that the production of specific antibodies was greater after the administration of selenium alone.     

硫酸头孢喹肟乳房注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性研究

为研究硫酸头孢喹肟乳房注入剂对泌乳期奶牛的安全性,试验选用12头健康泌乳奶牛(6头初产、6头经产),间隔12 h对每头奶牛的4个乳区分别注入硫酸头孢喹肟乳房注入剂(规格:8 g:75 mg/支)1支,连续给药3次,比较观察给药前后奶牛的临床症状、体细胞数、日产奶量及乳区病原菌变化情况。结果显示,与给药前相比,给药期间及停药后奶牛的临床症状、体细胞数、日产奶量、乳区病原菌检测结果均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。表明硫酸头孢喹肟乳房注入剂对泌乳期奶牛是安全的。     

新疆某规模化奶牛场牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒抗体水平检测

为了调查新疆地区某规模化奶牛场牛传染性鼻气管炎（IBR）发病情况,通过采集不同生长阶段牛群血清共计362 份,使用牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒gB（IBR-gB）抗体检测试剂盒检测牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒（IBRV）抗体效价,评估该奶牛场IBRV疫苗免疫效果。结果显示,后备牛中犊牛和青年牛IBRV抗体阳性率分别为88.57%（31/35）、75.00%（21/28）;成年母牛中泌乳期母牛、干奶期母牛IBRV抗体阳性率分别为81.46%（145/178）、95.04%（115/121）。阴性数共44 份,可疑数8 份,IBRV抗体平均阳性率为88.38%;结果表明,疫苗接种后,不同生产阶段牛群均可产生不错的抗体保护效果,为奶牛场防控IBR提供依据。     

Vaccination of dairy cows with recombinant Streptococcus uberis adhesion molecule induces antibodies that reduce adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into bovine mammary epithelial cells

Streptococcus uberis is an important environmental mastitis pathogen that causes subclinical and clinical mastitis in lactating and nonlactating cows and heifers throughout the world. Previous work from our laboratory suggests that S. uberis adhesion molecule (SUAM) is involved in S. uberis pathogenesis and may be an excellent target for vaccine development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibody response of cattle vaccinated with recombinant SUAM (rSUAM). Uninfected primiparous dairy cows (n=30) in late lactation were divided randomly into three groups of 10 cows each: control, 200 μg rSUAM, and 400 μg rSUAM. Cows in groups vaccinated with 200 μg and 400 μg rSUAM received an emulsion containing adjuvant, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and affinity purified rSUAM. Cows in the control group received an emulsion containing adjuvant and PBS. Cows were vaccinated subcutaneously in the neck region at drying off (D-0), 28 d after drying off (D+28) and within 7 d after calving. Serum was collected at D-0, D+28, at calving (C-0), calving vaccination (CV), and during early lactation (CV+14). Serum antibody responses were measured by an ELISA against rSUAM. Following the first vaccination a significant increase in anti-rSUAM antibodies was detected at D+28 in cows from groups vaccinated with 200 μg and 400 μg rSUAM when compared to the control group. This increase in anti-rSUAM antibodies continued following the second immunization at D+28; reaching the highest levels in the post-parturient sampling period (C0), after which antibodies appeared to plateau. S. uberis UT888 pretreated with several dilutions of heat-inactivated serum from cows vaccinated with rSUAM, affinity purified antibodies against rSUAM, and to a 17 amino acid long peptide from the N terminus of SUAM (pep-SUAM) were co-cultured with bovine mammary epithelial cells and adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into epithelial cells was measured. Compared to untreated controls, opsonization of two strains of S. uberis with sera from cows vaccinated with rSUAM, with affinity purified rSUAM antibodies, or with affinity purified pep-SUAM antibodies significantly reduced adherence to and internalization of this pathogen into bovine mammary epithelial cells. In conclusion, subcutaneous vaccination of dairy cows with rSUAM during physiological transitions of the mammary gland either from or to a state of active milk synthesis induced antibodies in serum and milk and these antibodies reduced adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into mammary epithelial cells under in vitro conditions. SUAM appears to be an excellent candidate for vaccine development.     

Antibody response to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cows

Antibody response to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cows was examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum antibody to TSST-1 was not detected in 39 (76.5%) of 51 calves, which were 1-6 months of age. In contrast, TSST-1 antibody was demonstrated in 1728 (72.6%) of 2380 lactating cows housed on 36 dairy farms. The ELISA values of antibody ranged from 0.2 to 3.0 OD and presented a distribution with the peak at 1.6 OD. The mean ELISA value differed between farms, and it increased slightly along with parturient history. Somatic cell counts of milk from 174 lactating cows was compared with TSST-1 antibody and tst1,000,000 cells per ml. The mean ELISA values in milk were lower than those of sera, but they rose as somatic cells increased. The tst gene of S. aureus detected in 76.0-86.2% of the milk samples containing somatic cells > 500,000 cells per ml, a level which indicates mastitis. The data suggests that many lactating cows may be infected by TSST-1- producing S. aureus.     

The comparison of treating Holstein dairy cows with progesterone, CIDR and GnRH after insemination on serum progesterone and pregnancy rates

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different exogenous progesterone sources administrated after artificial insemination (AI) on serum progesterone (P(4) ) concentration and pregnancy rates in Holstein lactating cows. Sixty-four lactating Holstein dairy cows were allocated to four different treatments (n = 16 per treatment): the cows 1) were injected with physiological saline on days 5 and 13 after AI (control group); 2) were injected with progesterone on days 5 and 13 after AI (P group); 3) received controlled internal drug releasing device (CIDR) for a period from day 5 to 19 after AI (CIDR group); and 4) were injected with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on days 5 and 13 after AI (GnRH group). Blood samples were collected on days 0 (AI day), 5, 13, 16 and 19 after AI to determine serum P(4) concentration. The results revealed a significant difference among treatment groups for serum P(4) concentration on days 13, 16 and 19 with the lowest concentration of serum P(4) for the control group. The pregnancy rate was also positively affected by all the treatments with CIDR having the greatest effect on pregnancy rate. Overall, the results indicated that CIDR has the greatest effect on serum P(4) concentration and pregnancy rate, although the administration of P and GnRH during days after AI increased serum P(4) concentration in lactating dairy cows as well.